Costa assures Zelenskyy that Ukraine will be part of the EU

The President of the European Council, António Costa, said this Thursday that, “one day”, Ukraine will be part of the European Union (EU). The Ukrainian President called for “EU unity with the United States” in support against Russia.

This Thursday, in Brussels, at the entrance to what is the first European Council led by him, Antonio Costa Prometheus and Volodymyr Zelenskyywho is by his side, and that the EU “will work […] to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.

“It is a great honor for me to be alongside President Zelenskyy in this, which is the first time that I am presiding over the European Council. […] As far as Ukraine is concerned, we must be very clear: you can count on our full and unconditional support, whatever the cost, and for as long as necessary, now in war and in the future in peace, and we want to welcome you here one day as members of the E.U.”, declared Antônio Costa.

Minutes later, the Ukrainian President had asked the former Portuguese Prime Minister “unity between the United States and Europe”.

At a time of North American political transition, when Donald Trump prepares to take office, Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted that it is “very difficult to support Ukraine without American help”.

“And that’s what we’re going to discuss with President Trump when he’s in the White House,” he concluded.

But EU can’t wait for Trump

This Thursday, Luís Montenegro defended that the EU cannot wait for Trumpto decide the future of support for Ukraine.

Asked whether EU decisions are on hold until Donald Trump’s return to the White House on January 20, 2025, the Portuguese prime minister replied that “it would be a bad sign if Europe had to wait for anyone”.

“Europe cannot waver, Europe will not waver in its support for Ukraine,” added Luís Montenegro as he entered a European Council meeting in Brussels.

Putin challenges US to “duel” in Kiev

These declarations happen on a day when the para a kind of duel in Kiev between new Russian hypersonic weaponry and Western anti-missile defense systems.

“Let them choose any installation for us to attack, say, in Kiev. Let them concentrate all their anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems there. And we will attack with [um míssil] Oreshnik”, he stated, quoted by the Spanish agency EFE.

“We’ll see what happens. We are ready for this experience”, said the Russian president, during his press conference to take stock of the year, seen on television by millions of Russians.