EU-Ukraine summit, 3 February 2023

Summary:

The 24th summit between the European Union (EU) and Ukraine was held in Kyiv on 3 February 2023. It was the first summit since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and since the EU granted Ukraine the status of candidate country.

Further information:

Leaders discussed Ukraine's accession to the European Union. The efforts carried out by the Ukrainian authorities to meet the objectives required for its EU candidate status were acknowledged. In the framework of Russia's invasion, the EU reaffirmed its full support to Ukraine for as long as it takes. Leaders supported the development of an International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression in Ukraine (ICPA) to coordinate investigations, preserve and store evidence for future trials.

The EU reiterated its call for all countries to align with EU restrictive measures adopted against Russia, and also its readiness to support Ukraine's initiative for just peace, based on respect for the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Both sides reviewed the military, financial and diplomatic support provided by the EU to Ukraine. Leaders discussed the continued provision of humanitarian and civil protection assistance to Ukraine, and recalled the EU's commitment to providing support to the country's fast recovery and reconstruction.

The summit was preceded by a visit of the President of the European Commission on 2 February, accompanied by 15 Commissioners. Ahead of the meeting, the EU and Ukraine also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a strategic partnership on renewable gases.

Commentary and Analysis

European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC): Press Release, 02/02/2023: Trade union statement to EU-Ukraine Summit on 3 February https://etuc.org/en/document/trade-union-statement-eu-ukraine-summit-3-february

The Conversation, 02/02/2023: Ukraine war: Kyiv summit with EU will bring the two sides closer, but fast-track membership is unlikely https://theconversation.com/ukraine-war-kyiv-summit-with-eu-will-bring-the-two-sides-closer-but-fast-track-membership-is-unlikely-198891

TIME Magazine, 03/02/2023: What Joining the European Union Would Mean for Ukraine—and the Alliance https://time.com/6252592/ukraine-european-union-summit-membership/

The Economist, 03/02/2023: Ukraine is not about to join the EU https://www.economist.com/europe/2023/02/03/ukraine-is-not-about-to-join-the-eu

Euro|topics, February 2023: EU-Ukraine summit in Kyiv: dashed hopes? https://www.eurotopics.net/en/295987/

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News

Deutsche Welle, 01/02/2023: EU holds talks with Ukraine in an active war zone https://p.dw.com/p/4Mw16

Politico, 01/02/2023: Ukraine to get cold shoulder on rapid EU entry https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-rapid-eu-membership-hopes-eu-summit-no-promises/

Reuters, 02/02/2023: EU officials pledge solidarity with Kyiv, Zelenskiy says speed up sanctions https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-tour-de-force-ukraine-war-anniversary-nears-2023-02-02/

Associated Press (AP News), 02/02/2023: High-level Kyiv visit aims to deepen EU-Ukraine ties https://apnews.com/article/politics-ukraine-government-belgium-european-union-ursula-von-der-leyen-9c5abce3462f207ab638f6a4ebf9f8f9

BBC News, 02/02/2023: Ukraine EU membership: No short cuts on joining, officials warn ahead of summit https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-64492102

EurActiv, 02/02/2023: Before EU summit, Ukraine carries out war-time anti-corruption crackdown https://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/before-eu-summit-ukraine-carries-out-war-time-anti-corruption-crackdown/

Euronews, 02/02/2023: Von der Leyen promises 10th package of Russian sanctions in visit to Kyv https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/02/02/eu-heads-to-ukraine-for-summit-to-boost-integration-as-anniversary-of-invasion-nears

The Guardian, 02/02/2023: EU pledges to double military aid programme for Ukraine https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/02/eu-pledges-to-double-military-aid-programme-for-ukraine

LRT News, 02/02/2023: EC to announce aid package, discuss Ukraine’s EU membership in Kyiv – Lithuanian rep https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1880647/ec-to-announce-aid-package-discuss-ukraine-s-eu-membership-in-kyiv-lithuanian-rep

NL Times, 02/02/2023: European office to gather proof of war crimes in Ukraine will set up in The Hague https://nltimes.nl/2023/02/02/european-office-gather-proof-war-crimes-ukraine-will-set-hague

Politico, 02/02/2023: Zelenskyy welcomes the EU to his turf — and makes a case for membership https://www.politico.eu/article/volodymyr-zelenskyy-ursula-von-der-leyen-eu-membership-kyiv-meeting-ukraine/

Le Monde, 03/02/2023: EU Commission President von der Leyen looks ahead to a future with Ukraine https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/02/03/eu-commission-president-von-der-leyen-looks-ahead-to-a-future-with-ukraine_6014294_4.html

Interfax, 03/02/2023: Ukraine to join key EU programs - von der Leyen https://interfax.com/newsroom/top-stories/87603/

EUObserver, 03/02/2023: Top EU officials show Ukraine solidarity on risky trip https://euobserver.com/world/156677

France24: As it Happened, 03/02/2023: Ukraine's Zelensky vows to hasten EU membership after Kyiv summit https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20230203-live-kyiv-hosts-eu-leaders-for-summit-on-bloc-membership-new-russia-sanctions

TVP World, 03/02/2023: Air raid sirens sound across Ukraine as EU summit begins https://tvpworld.com/66026685/air-raid-sirens-sound-across-ukraine-as-eu-summit-begins

Reuters, 03/02/2023: Zelenskiy vows to defend 'fortress' Bakhmut, hosts EU leaders in Kyiv https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-ukraine-wartime-summit-deliver-some-issues-disappoint-others-2023-02-02/

The Guardian, 03/02/2023: EU leaders to dampen Ukraine’s hopes of fast-track EU membership https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/03/eu-leaders-to-dampen-ukraines-hopes-of-fast-track-eu-membership

Euronews, 04/02/2023: EU-Ukraine summit is 'proof that Russia can't break us', says Zelenskyy https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/02/03/live-eu-leaders-meet-zelenskyy-in-kyiv-for-joint-historic-summit

Deutsche Welle, 04/02/2023: EU has no 'rigid timelines' for Ukraine's membership https://p.dw.com/p/4N3GB

El País, 04/02/2023: Kyiv steps up fight against corruption on eve of EU summit https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-02-04/kyiv-steps-up-fight-against-corruption-on-eve-of-eu-summit.html

Euronews, 04/02/2023: Ukraine's president vows to fight 'for as long as we can' for strategic city Bakhmut https://www.euronews.com/2023/02/04/ukraines-president-vows-to-fight-for-as-long-as-we-can-for-strategic-city-bakhmut

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Official

General Secretariat of the Council: EU-Ukraine summit, 3 February 2023 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2023/02/03/

General Secretariat of the Council: Joint statement following the 24th EU-Ukraine Summit https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/02/03/joint-statement-following-the-24th-eu-ukraine-summit/

General Secretariat of the Council: Policies: Enlargement: Ukraine https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/enlargement/ukraine/

General Secretariat of the Council: Policies: Eastern Partnership: Ukraine https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/eastern-partnership/ukraine/

General Secretariat of the Council: Policies: EU response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/eu-response-ukraine-invasion/

General Secretariat of the Council: Background Brief for International Meeting - EU-Ukraine summit, 3 February 2023 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/61830/20230201-final-background-brief-euua-v3.pdf

European Commission: Press Release, 02/02/2023: Ukraine: College of Commissioners travels to Kyiv https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_541

European Commission: Opening remarks by President von der Leyen on the occasion of the meeting between the College and the government of Ukraine (2 February 2023) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_23_567

European Commission: Statement by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy (2 February 2023) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_23_546

European Commission: Statement by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with Ukrainian Prime Minister Shmyhal (2 February 2023) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_23_545

European Commission: Press Release, 02/02/2023: Ukraine: College of Commissioners travels to Kyiv to boost EU support and sectorial cooperation with Ukraine https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_461

European Council: Remarks by President Charles Michel at the press conference of the EU-Ukraine summit in Kyiv (3 February 2023) https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/02/03/remarks-by-president-charles-michel-at-the-press-conference-of-the-eu-ukraine-summit-in-kyiv/

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