US President Sees Ukraine’s EU Path as Highly Probable
President Joe Biden stated that Ukraine’s potential accession to the European Union appears very likely. Speaking with reporters, he was asked whether he is confident about Kyiv joining the bloc. He replied, “I think that is very likely to happen.”
The conversation also touched on a possible trip to Ukraine. Biden noted that such a visit would depend on the circumstances and whether it would pose additional challenges for Ukraine or be disrupted by ongoing events. He added, however, that he speaks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky multiple times a week, and confirmed a strong bilateral connection.
Biden outlined an upcoming travel schedule that includes visits to Germany, Spain, Israel, and Saudi Arabia, after which he would likely return home. When asked if a Ukraine stop would be part of the Germany or Spain legs for the G7 and NATO summits, he replied that it was not very likely on this particular trip.
On the refugee crisis, Biden attributed the surge in forcibly displaced people worldwide to Russia’s actions in Ukraine. He cited UN figures showing that more than a hundred million people have been displaced—the highest level on record—and reiterated Washington’s commitment to offering temporary asylum to tens of thousands of Ukrainians.
European leadership also weighed in on Ukraine’s EU prospects.
EU Candidate Status: Confidence from Brussels
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed conviction that Kyiv will receive candidate status for EU membership. She said, “I firmly believe that we will make a positive decision, we will get support, the route is now set,” underscoring that the historic decision rests with the Council of Europe, and that preparations are progressing well.
Von der Leyen noted that the decision to grant candidate status rests on data, facts, and the preparatory work Ukraine has undertaken over the past eight years. She highlighted Ukraine’s notable progress while also urging further reforms, particularly in anti-corruption efforts and the strengthening of the rule of law. The EC president emphasized that the applicant country itself determines how quickly accession advances, and she suggested the process is not inherently onerous.
On June 17, the European Commission recommended that the Council grant Ukraine candidate status. If all 27 EU members approve at the Brussels summit on June 23-24, Kyiv would begin a sequence of reforms necessary to start accession negotiations. Key areas include judicial strengthening, intensified anti-corruption measures, de-oligarchization, and the adoption of laws governing the selection of Constitutional Court judges and the completion of the High Qualification Commission for Judges.
As von der Leyen explained, the speed of EU entry after candidate status is granted varies, and setbacks can occur if progress stalls. President Zelensky thanked the European Commission for its guidance, calling it a first step toward EU membership that would bring Kyiv closer to victory.
Economic Realities and Calls for Support
Zelensky characterized the current Ukrainian economy as severely strained, with about half of its economic activity unavailable. He argued that the country could not endure such a condition without external financial assistance. He estimated a monthly budget shortfall of roughly $5 billion and described this figure as more than a mere number, but a real, ongoing demand for support.
Earlier in the discussion, World Economic Forum chair Borge Brende suggested that Ukraine should pursue a large-scale recovery and reconstruction program, akin to the American Marshall Plan, to stabilize the economy and accelerate rebuilding efforts.
For Canada and the United States, the situation remains a focal point of regional security and economic stability. Washington has reiterated its commitment to providing temporary sanctuary to Ukrainians and supporting reforms that would ultimately advance Ukraine’s integration with European institutions.
Ukraine’s leadership continues to articulate the necessity of international aid, not only to sustain government operations but also to underpin a longer-term path toward resilience and growth. The ongoing dialogue among EU member states and the United States reflects a shared interest in safeguarding regional stability and upholding the principles of democracy and rule of law in the face of geopolitical challenges.
In summary, Kyiv’s trajectory toward EU membership appears favorable in the near term, provided that reforms advance steadily and collective support remains durable. The coming weeks will reveal how Brussels translates candidate status into concrete negotiations and how allied capitals align their policy responses to support Ukraine’s aspirations and stability in the region. [Citations: European Commission communications, statements from President von der Leyen, and public remarks from President Biden and Ukrainian leadership]