EU stands with Ukraine ahead of winter, says Ursula von der Leyen

By Melike Pala

BRUSSELS (AA) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday reiterated the EU's continued support for Ukraine, saying the country "will not face this winter alone."

"Good call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Dear President, Ukraine will not face this winter alone," von der Leyen said on US social media platform X.

She said the EU stands with Ukraine by providing emergency energy support to help the country through the coming months.

"At the same time, we are working on options to ensure the necessary sustained financial assistance to Ukraine," she added.

Von der Leyen noted that the European Commission will adopt its Enlargement Package on Tuesday, commending Ukraine's "remarkable commitment to its European path over the past year."

"The Commission's message is clear: Ukraine is ready to move forward," she said.

Ukraine applied for EU membership in February 2022, received candidate status in June 2022, had accession talks opened in December 2023, held its first intergovernmental conference in June 2024.

Discussions among EU member states on the pace and conditions of Ukraine's accession remain ongoing, with Slovakia and Hungary frequently expressing opposition.