Ukraine deserves fast EU membership ‘more than any other country,’ Zelenskyy says

Volodymyr Zelenskyy told EU leaders at a Brussels summit that Ukraine's process to join the European Union must be fast-tracked as the country has paid the ultimate price for it.“Ukraine merits it because it has paid more than any other European country for its right to be free, independent and European,” he said.“It is also the right of other nations to be independent from Russia," he added.Addressing European leaders, Zelenskyy highlighted Ukraine’s military experience, arguing that its defence capabilities are crucial for Europe’s future and could become a key factor in accelerating Kyiv’s path towards EU membership.In a voice message shared in a WhatsApp group with journalists after the meeting in Brussels, Zelenskyy said all leaders recognised that Ukraine’s armed forces are the strongest in Europe, and the EU will benefit from its expertise.“Ukraine is today, de facto, NATO’s second-strongest army, rivalling the world’s second-strongest army. And that is why we — and we alone — are needed by NATO de jure.”“The future of Europe — free, united and at peace — is being decided in our defence,” Zelenskyy told EU leaders. “That shows how unique our situation is.”He also pushed for European ballistic missile programme, saying it was a Ukrainian initiative and that Kyiv would not abandon the project despite hurdles.“Europe will build its own ballistic capabilities. This is an urgent matter. Ukraine is not giving up, so we will get this done. It was our initiative, and now it is a joint effort with our partners.”“We have survived Orbán”After April's Hungarian elections, “there is clearly a new opportunity to strengthen relations both within the EU and between the EU and Ukraine,” Zelenskyy told EU leaders, as new Prime Minister Péter Magyar attended the gathering for the first time.In a voice message shared after the Brussels meeting, Zelenskyy said Ukraine had not “compromised its dignity” and had "survived Orbán" in a reference to former prime minister Viktor Orbán who led a veto policy on Ukraine, from financing to enlargement.Zelenskyy thanked Ukraine’s neighbouring countries — specifically Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia — for their support in advancing Kyiv's European aspirations, assuring them that “Ukraine is committed to mutual respect”.In a clear reference to the sensitive issue of Hungarian minorities in Ukraine, Zelenskyy said that for Kyiv, “being a good neighbour has never been just words”.Zelenskyy did not have a bilateral meeting with Magyar, although they did exchange a brief conversation, according to an official familiar with the talks. The Ukrainian President did meet Slovakia's Robert Fico in Brussels and Bulgaria's minister Rumen Radev, who rejected any sanctions on Russia that would hurt his country.“Putin is a madman” who wants “Ukraine to go up in flames”Vladimir Putin does not want to end the war and this is now recognised by everyone, Zelenskyy told journalists in a voice message after the EU summit.“Everything he says about wanting peace is a lie. All partners, all Europeans, feel this,” he said, adding that Kyiv’s partners are “convinced that together we will stop him”.Zelenskyy reiterated that he remains ready for negotiations with the Kremlin, despite saying that Putin does not want talks. “He wants everything in our country to go up in flames, and he is a madman — our partners feel that.”The Ukrainian leader said no one should expect the Russian president to leave the Kremlin or change his objectives. “Putin will stay in the Kremlin until his death," he said, adding that Putin seeks "to restore the Soviet Union. Without Ukraine, that is impossible."