President Zelensky of Ukraine urged the European Union today to grant his country immediate accession to the EU bloc.
- Would joining the EU bloc rapidly allow the European Union members to help more efficiently Ukraine during wartime?
- or thwart Russia's plans in any way?
edit -- excerpts from the NYT
Zelensky: "We appeal to the European Union for Ukraine’s immediate accession under a new special procedure. Our goal is to stand alongside all Europeans and, most importantly, to stand on their level"
The European Union wants Ukraine to join the bloc “over time,” Ms. von der Leyen said in an interview with Euronews on Saturday, although she gave no indication of timing.
Ukraine took a first step to joining the European Union in early 2014, but progress toward accession has been slow. Kyiv’s turn toward the European Union and the West has angered President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia and has helped fuel a conflict involving Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine