Hanoi: European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have jointly urged for the swift progression of Ukraine's accession negotiations with the European Union. The leaders issued a statement following their meeting, emphasizing the significance of advancing the negotiation clusters without further delay.

According to Anadolu Agency, Ukraine was granted EU candidate status in 2022, a pivotal move following the onset of the conflict with Russia. Formal accession talks began in 2024. During the meeting, Costa highlighted the need to progress towards opening the first cluster of negotiations for Ukraine's accession, a step seen as crucial for the country's future within the European Union.

The leaders collectively stressed the importance of maintaining diplomatic pressure on Moscow to cease its aggressive actions and to participate in substantial peace negotiations. Furthermore, they expressed their approval of a £90 billion (approximately $105 billion) support loan for Ukraine for the years 2026 and 2027. This financial aid is intended to address urgent budgetary and defense needs, while calling for additional international support to cover remaining financial shortfalls.