During a telephone call with Volodymyr Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed “France’s support” for Ukraine’s opening of accession to the European Union, currently blocked by Hungary. EU heads of state and government are due to decide on Thursday and Friday whether to launch Ukraine’s accession negotiations.
French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed on Sunday to his counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky “France’s support” for Ukraine’s opening of accession to the European Union, currently blocked by Hungary. During a telephone call, Emmanuel Macron welcomed the adoption by the Ukrainian parliament on December 8 and 9 “of several decisive texts of law, relating in particular to the rights of national minorities, the reform of justice and the fight against -corruption”, according to the Élysée. “Ukraine is thus demonstrating its determination to respond immediately to the recommendations made to it by the European Commission,” added the French presidency.
Viktor Orban inflexible in his opposition to the opening of this process
EU heads of state and government are due to decide on Thursday and Friday whether to launch Ukraine’s accession negotiations. But Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban remains adamant in his opposition to the opening of this process. “Ukraine is known to be one of the most corrupt countries in the world. It’s a joke! We cannot make the decision to start an accession negotiation process,” he said after meeting Emmanuel Macron last Thursday in Paris.
The French president also “reiterated France’s unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of the war of aggression led by Russia,” said the Élysée. For his part, Volodymyr Zelensky indicated on the X platform that he had informed his French counterpart of military developments on the front line. “We discussed our priority needs and the next French military aid package which will significantly strengthen Ukraine’s firepower,” he wrote.