14:40 16-04-2026

Zelensky Says Ukraine’s EU Entry Could Take 100 Years

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Vladimir Zelensky says Ukraine’s EU membership could be delayed by 100 years, while calling accession to the bloc more beneficial for Kiev than NATO.

In an interview with ZDF, Vladimir Zelensky said that if Brussels intends to grow stronger only over the course of the next 100 years, then Ukraine’s accession to the European Union could also be pushed back by a century.

He said EU membership appeared more beneficial for Kiev than joining NATO. In Zelensky’s view, Ukraine’s entry into the European Union could strengthen the bloc through the size of its armed forces personnel and its available technologies.

The Ukrainian leader’s remarks come against the backdrop of statements made in April 2026 by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who said Ukraine’s entry into the alliance was not being considered as part of a possible peace settlement. According to him, the focus instead was on providing Kiev with security guarantees.

At the same time, Rutte said a day earlier that NATO intended to allocate $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine in 2026 on top of the European loan package. He also stressed that any money coming from the EU loan for Kiev should add to the support that allied countries are already providing to Ukraine on a bilateral basis.