Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a European Union membership application.
Ukrainian Deputy Head of the President’s Office, Andriy Sybiha, tweeted, “The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky has just signed a historical document-Ukraine’s application for European Union membership.”
He added, “In addition a joint statement was signed with Ruslan Stephanchuk,the Head of the Parliament,and Denys Shmygal, Prime Minister.Glory to Ukraine!”
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky has just signed a historical document-Ukraine’s application for European Union membership. In addition a joint statement was signed with Ruslan Stephanchuk,the Head of the Parliament,and Denys Shmygal, Prime Minister.Glory to Ukraine! pic.twitter.com/94BZLroH31
— Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) February 28, 2022
Earlier on Monday, Zelenskyy called on the European Union to grant Ukraine immediate membership, as The New York Times reported.
“Our goal is to be together with all Europeans and, most importantly, to be on an equal footing,” Zelenskyy said in a video message.
He added, “I’m sure it’s fair. I’m sure it’s possible.”
Zelenskyy signed the application amid a Russian invasion of Ukraine. Last week, EU leaders agreed to impose “massive” sanctions on Russia, as Politico reported.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, “We will hold the Kremlin accountable.”
She added, “The package of massive and targeted sanctions European leaders approved tonight clearly demonstrates that — it will have maximum impact on the Russian economy and the political elite.”
The sanctions will target five sectors, including financial, energy, transport, export controls and visa policy, as Politico reported.
“This package includes financial sanctions that cut Russia’s access to the most important capital markets. We’re now targeting 70 percent of the Russian banking market, but also key state-owned companies including the field of defense,” von der Leyen said.
According to von der Leyen, the export ban “will hit the oil by making it impossible for Russia to upgrade its oil refineries.”
“Our unity is our strength,” she said, adding, “The Kremlin knows this and it has tried its best to divide us, but it has utterly failed. It has achieved exactly the opposite.”