At a conference in Madrid, von der Leyen said the EU must reflect on what it will look like four years from now.
“Can we imagine a European Union without Ukraine, without Moldova, without the Western Balkans? Those regions of Europe under the influence of Russia or China? Impossible,” she asserted.
“That is why the trajectory ahead is clear. That is why we must start thinking about how to make Europe whole, about how to make those countries part of the European Union”.
Von der Leyen spoke with the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez after a meeting between EU commissioners and Spanish officials to review the plans for the next six months, when Spain exercises the rotating presidency of the European Council.
Von der Leyen argued that the enlargement of the EU must be faced “as soon as possible because it will take a while to reach a conclusion.”
The continued support for Ukraine in its campaign to defend itself against the Russian invasion was one of the priority issues on the agenda and a priority for the Spanish presidency.
“We must stand firm in our support for Ukraine. Almost 500 days have already passed since Russia’s brutal invasion,” von der Leyen declared, praising the impressive resilience of the Ukrainian people.
“Now it is our duty to live up to that resistance, that perseverance. That includes reliable and regular financial support,” he said, recalling that the commission has proposed 50 billion euros (55 billion dollars) for Ukraine until 2027.
EU officials estimate that the bloc’s institutions and its 27 members have given some 75 billion euros in assistance, arms and ammunition to Ukraine since the start of the war in February 2022. The EU gives 1.8 billion euros a month to help Ukraine keep its economy afloat.
Sánchez began the Spanish presidency of the council on Saturday with a lightning visit to kyiv to emphasize the bloc’s support for Ukraine.
Sánchez was insistent that assistance and the shipment of arms to the invaded country must be maintained.
Von der Leyen and his delegation arrived on Monday for a one-day meeting in Madrid, the first major event of the Spanish presidency of the council, which ends on December 31. The meeting was held in the new museum of the Royal Gallery.
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Cooke reported from Brussels.
FUENTE: Associated Press
