Netherlands wants to delay Ukraine's EU membership – PPM

The Netherlands wants to slow down the process of Ukraine's accession to the European Union, although all EU member states are united in supporting Kiev's efforts to join the association.

The Polish Prime Minister (PPM), Mateusz Morawiecki said this on Friday.

On Feb. 28, Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a formal request for Ukraine to join the EU under the fast-track procedure amid Russia's military operation.

Heads of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and the three Baltic countries urged the EU to immediately grant Ukraine the status of a candidate country and launch the process of negotiations on its accession.

"After several hours of the good and lively discussion, it became clear to everyone that we want to see Ukraine in the EU.

"Some will like to see this happen sooner and enhance this perspective.

"These countries include Poland. But there are countries like the Netherlands that want to slow this process down,'' Morawiecki told reporters in Paris.

He said this where a two-day informal meeting of EU leaders was taking place.

The Polish prime minister added that the declaration adopted at the end of the first day of the talks indicated that all EU member states wanted Ukraine to join the integration association.

According to Morawiecki, the EU intends to support Kiev in its efforts.

On Feb. 24, Russia began a military operation in Ukraine, responding to calls for help from the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in countering the aggression of Ukrainian troops.

The Russian Defence Ministry said the operation is targeting Ukrainian military infrastructure only.