The Ukrainian parliament has requested European leaders to initiate negotiations on Ukraine’s potential EU membership.
The 27 Heads of Member States will deliberate their stance at the EU Summit taking place this week on 13 to 15 December in Brussels.
The European Commission has already suggested initiating talks; however, the formal decision lies with the member states.
European leaders are expected to provide the green light, although Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is proving more obstinate.
In a letter to the Council President Charles Michel last week, Orban demanded that discussion around this issue, and substantial financial support for Ukraine, be removed from the EU Summit agenda.
Meanwhile, Kiev is urging the commencement of negotiations and emphasises the need for further financial aid to help restore Ukraine as well as an increased military contribution to fight the Russian invasion.
Kiev also wants the EU to introduce new sanctions on Russia to intensify economic and political pressure on the country.
