Ukraine (bbabo.net), - Brussels is determined to speed up the procedure for Ukraine's accession to the European Union (EU), in the spring it is planned to present a report on the degree of readiness of Kyiv to join the community. This was announced by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, in an interview published today, January 23, with the Italian newspaper Repubblica.

“We look at what is possible and what is not. A report will be presented in the spring,” he said.

“We managed to maintain unity despite all the difficulties. In terms of military assistance [to Ukraine], too: we spent 50 billion euros. A Russian victory would mean that Europe would no longer be safe and free,” the head of the European Council argued, calling this scenario a “dangerous precedent.”

Michel believes that 2023 will be a defining year for the coming decades.

“We must give an immediate response to the problems of the economy, migration, energy and collective defense,” he said.

“There is also a direct connection between Kyiv and economic growth. It is extremely important for us to prevent fragmentation of the domestic market. You can’t approach each reality separately, you need general rules, ”added Michel.

The President of the European Council proposes to develop a more flexible approach to the use of the existing mechanisms of the EU funds system and to harmonize a common trade policy. Michel expects the European Commission to present detailed proposals by the next EU summit on how to respond to the US Inflation Reduction Act, which provides generous subsidies to manufacturers of electric vehicles, batteries and energy equipment, provided they are produced in the United States. According to Michel, the EU should insist that "American friends" reconsider their plan, TASS quoted excerpts from an interview.

On June 23 last year, the heads of state and government of the European Union decided to grant Ukraine and Moldova the status of a candidate for joining the community. The timing of the start of negotiations on Kyiv's accession has not yet been determined. In Brussels, they said that Ukraine needs to work hard and carry out important reforms to move further along the path to joining the EU. They also noted that Kyiv would be able to join the community only after the end of the armed conflict in the country. The Ukrainian authorities expect to join the EU in less than two years after the start of negotiations, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said earlier.

bbabo.ℵet