Ukraine claims another successful attack on Crimea. Von der Leyen returns to Kyiv

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visits Kiev to discuss Ukraine’s future membership in the European Union. In addition to joining, she also wants to talk to President Volodymyr Zelensky about funding “the reconstruction that should transform Ukraine into a modern, prosperous democracy.”

Von der Leyen’s visit comes before the publication of the European Commission report on November 8. The Commission will assess how much progress Ukraine has already made and answer the question of whether it is possible to begin formal accession talks with Ukraine.

According to President Zelensky, Ukraine has now respected all previous recommendations of the Committee. He announced on Friday that he had signed a final amendment to the law that would bring Ukrainian legislation in line with European legislation.

This is related to amending the National Minorities Law. This now allows minorities to use their own language, in accordance with EU guidelines. The change in law applies to Hungarian and Romanian minorities in the west of the country. The Ukrainian parliament had already approved the change in the law on September 21.

Von der Leyen’s visit to Kiev is her sixth since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In addition to accession, she will also discuss continued European military support, and the 12th package of European sanctions against Russia.

“The most important message we are conveying is that we affirm that we will stand by Ukraine for as long as necessary,” von der Leyen told the press in Kiev.

Michelle Maas