Joe Biden says Ukraine 'very likely' to join EU as West backs candidate status for Kyiv

US President Joe Biden on Monday predicted that Ukraine is “very likely” to join European Union (EU) as he informed that he probably will not visit war-torn nation anytime soon as he prepares for a Europe trip. While talking to reporters in Delaware, Biden talked about possibility of EU membership for Kyiv after European Commission on Friday voted to make Ukraine a bloc candidate.

Biden said, “I think that’s very likely to happen”.

However, when US President was asked about his plans to visit Ukraine amid war with Russia, Biden said “that depends” on “a lot of things relating to wher or not it causes more difficulty for Ukrainians, wher it distracts from what’s going on.” US President also noted that “I have been meeting with [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky – I talk to him three, four times a week.”

Biden n went on to say that he is “not likely” to visit Ukraine citing his scheduled trips to Germany, Spain, Israel and Saudi Arabia. It is to mention here that while Biden mentioned his frequent calls with Zelenskyy, White House issued last reout of calls between both presidents on June 15. Prior to that, Biden and Zelenksyy held talks when y joined a Group of Seven (G7) leers in a conference call on May 8.  

Russia ‘very nervous’ as Ukraine awaits EU’s answer on candidacy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday said that looming decision on Ukraine's candidacy in European Union is making Russia "very nervous".  As Russia continued its "brutal offensive actions" in western, eastern, and sourn districts of war-torn country, Zelenskyy during his usual nightly dress on Monday stated that whole region of Kharkiv, Odesa, and Donbas "is most difficult as re are hardest battles."   

" next days of week will also be busy. We are moving toward main decision of European Council, which will be opted on Friday...As I predicted, Russia is very nervous about our activity,” Zelenskyy said. 

Earlier, European Commission h recommended granting Ukraine candidate status to join bloc which amounted to a diplomatic blow for Kremlin. In view of this, Zelenskyy on Sunday predicted that Russia would intensify attacks and even warned European partners that y should gear up for increased hostilities by Moscow. 

In his nightly dress on Sunday night, Zelenskyy said, “Tomorrow a historic week begins…re have been few such fateful decisions for Ukraine.”

“And in such a week, we should expect greater hostile activity from Russia. And not only against Ukraine, but also against or European countries. We are preparing. We are rey. We warn partners,” he ded.

Image: AP