Zelenskyy eyes start of Ukraine-EU accession talks this year

MOSCOW (AA) - Ukraine eyes start of negotiations on the country's accession to the EU this year, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday.

Speaking at a meeting with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola in the city of Lviv, Zelenskyy thanked the EU official for supporting Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Russia, calling to further strengthen restrictive measures against Moscow.

"Ukraine is working to complete the implementation of the recommendations of the European Commission as soon as possible and begin negotiations on joining the EU this year," he said.

The 27-country bloc granted candidate status to Ukraine last June, kicking off an exhaustive legal process that could last many years.

Metsola reassured Zelenskyy of EU's support in the war against Russia. In a tweet, she said: "Together in Ukraine again. For Ukraine. For Europe. For peace. For freedom. For justice. For all our people."

Metsola also met Ruslan Stefanchuk, chair of the Ukrainian parliament, and said "Ukraine's future is as a member of the European Union."