Today at 13:57
Polish President Andrzej Duda congratulated Ukraine and Moldova on the historic decision by EU leaders to initiate negotiations with them regarding accession. The announcement was made on Twitter, where Duda expressed his support for the enlargement process and acknowledged the initial skepticism when Poland began advocating for negotiations with Ukraine.
“Historic decision by the European Council to start accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova! Poland has always supported the enlargement process. Many doubted when we started the struggle for negotiations with Ukraine. Congratulations to Volodymyr Zelensky and Maia Sandu!” he wrote.
New Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk joined in congratulating Ukraine on the start of accession negotiations. Tusk dedicated the decision to the heroes who sacrificed their lives for an independent and European Ukraine, expressing this sentiment on his Twitter account: “Dear Volodymyr Zelensky, we did it! I dedicate today’s enlargement decision to your heroes who gave their lives for an independent and European Ukraine.”
In response, Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Poland for its friendly and robust support, emphasizing that Ukraine achieved this result thanks to Poland’s assistance. Zelensky noted, “This is a victory for Ukraine. A victory for all of Europe. A victory that motivates, inspires, and strengthens… Now in Ukraine, many of us feel a real uplift, and this is very important — it propels us forward. I want to say a huge thank you to each of you for everything we have achieved.”
Moldovan President Maia Sandu addressed the citizens after the European Council’s decision to start accession negotiations with the EU. She declared that this success is an achievement for the entire society. Both Maia Sandu and Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated each other on the European Council’s decision to initiate accession negotiations.
On the evening of December 14, EU leaders made the historic decision to start negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova regarding their accession to the European Union. Additionally, Georgia was granted candidate status. The resolution received unanimous support from all EU leaders, except Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who left the room during the vote on negotiations with Ukraine, thereby not obstructing the adoption of this crucial resolution.
Earlier, the EU announced the release of 10 billion euros for Hungary, previously withheld due to widespread corruption and non-compliance with the law in the country. Orban, in turn, had been threatening the EU with further blocking of aid to Ukraine if Hungary did not receive at least a portion of these funds.
