President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about problems with the supply of American missiles through NATO mechanisms, confirmed his readiness to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, and named 2027 as a possible date for Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
Zelenskyy made these statements during a meeting with journalists, reports The Ukrainian Review with reference to Suspilne.
Problems with Missile Supply
Zelenskyy explained that the U.S. does not provide missiles for free, and their payment through PURL is handled by Europe. Due to an unpaid tranche, the missiles did not arrive on time, and Ukrainian NASAMS and Patriot divisions remained empty.
As a result, Russian attacks on TEC-6, TEC-5, and TEC-4 in Kyiv were not repelled.
“We can view this differently. Europe pays for this. The tranche was not paid through PURL. The missiles did not arrive. I am simply stating what is happening. That is why I say we need to be on the same emotional and informational plane so that everything else is effective and timely,” Zelenskyy said.
Meeting with Putin
The president confirmed his readiness to discuss key war-related issues with the Russian leader but ruled out the possibility of meeting in Moscow.
“Obviously, it is impossible for me to meet with Putin in Moscow. It’s the same as meeting Putin in Kyiv. I can invite him to Kyiv; let him come. I publicly invite him, if he dares, of course,” Zelenskyy noted.
The president emphasized that any format of negotiations that allows achieving results will be acceptable. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha previously stated that Zelenskyy is ready to personally discuss issues regarding territories and the operation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP.
EU and Accelerating Ukraine’s Accession
Zelenskyy named 2027 as a possible date for Ukraine’s accession to the EU, noting that by that time the country will be technically ready to fulfill all negotiation clusters. He called on the EU to find an accelerated accession format due to the threat from Russia.
“Russia does not want us to be a European country. It is interested in the Ukrainian market. It is interested in Ukrainian potential. Our people. It wants Ukraine to be neither in NATO nor in the European Union. Therefore, yes, we prioritize this now to secure the future,” the president explained.
What Other European Leaders Say
Earlier, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated that Ukraine’s accelerated accession to the European Union from January 1, 2027, is allegedly one of the key points of a peace plan for ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.
At the same time, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized that rapid accession of Ukraine to the EU by 2027 is impossible.
Incidentally, in this article, The Ukrainian Review wrote about the scenarios of Ukraine’s accession to the EU and what to prepare for. In particular, under the most optimistic scenario, Ukraine could join the European Union by 2030.
