By Janet Ekstract
İSTANBUL- On Thursday, the European Commission announced its decision to recommend Ukraine as a candidate for EU membership status. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky lauded the decision made on Friday by the commission. Zelensky commented on Twitter: “I commend the positive European Commission conclusion on Ukraine’s candidate status. It’s the first step on the EU membership path that’ll certainly bring our Victory closer. Grateful to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen & each EC member for a historic decision. I expect a positive result from the European Council next week.” The European Council will consider Ukraine’s application for candidate status for membership in the European Union at its meeting June 23-24.
Meanwhile, Ukraine received support from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson who was in Kyiv, pledging continued support to Ukraine while also supporting Ukraine’s desire to join the EU. Johnson pledged continued military aid and training from his government. Britain has been a continual source of weapons, ammunition and other supplies since the invasion of Ukraine began on February 24. Despite multiple pledges of military assistance from the U.S. and the EU, Ukraine still needs significantly more military aid if it intends to defeat Russia’s army.
To that end, on Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced an additional $1 billion in military assistance for Ukraine. In a press statement, Blinken stated: “Pursuant to a delegation of authority from the President, I am authorizing our twelfth drawdown of arms and equipment from U.S. Department of Defense inventories for Ukraine’s defense since August 2021, valued at up to $350 million.” Blinken added that this authorization matches $650 million in additional assistance also announced on Wednesday under the U.S. Department of Defense’s Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative which brings the total security assistance to Ukraine to over $5.6 billion.
As Blinken stated; “More than 40 Allies and partners continue their efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s position to defend its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, secure victories on the battlefield and strengthen Ukraine’s position at the negotiating table.” He also said that the U.S. has imposed powerful sanctions on Russia while increasing NATO’s deterrence and defense on the Eastern Flank”. Blinken also commented that “historic levels of military and other assistance went to Ukraine as it has bravely defended its territory and its freedom. Our resolve is unwavering. We stand united with Ukraine.”
