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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that he will attend the Euronews’ historic European Enlargement Summit on November 4th in Brussels, where discussions will focus on Europe’s strategic expansion, its obstacles and advantages, as well as the intricate routes that lie ahead.

A distinctive political occurrence in Europe, the Euronews summit will, for the first time, gather leaders from both the EU and several candidate nations in a pioneering discussion about Europe’s expansion towards the East, at a critical time for the European Union and the aspiring countries, including Ukraine and Moldova, as well as the Western Balkans.

Highlighting the renewed drive for Europe’s strategic expansion, Euronews’ summit will feature European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, along with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Moldova’s President Maia Sandu, Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić, and three prime ministers: Albania’s Edi Rama, Montenegro’s Milojko Spajić, and North Macedonia’s Hristijan Mickoski.

At the summit, Euronews will conduct an interview with President Zelenskyy through a video link to discuss Kyiv’s plans for its main national goal of joining the European Union, as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine by Russia and its threat to Europe have added new urgency and momentum to the EU expansion process, affecting both the European Union and the candidate countries.

The intense EU political discussion regarding Ukraine and Moldova’s potential membership is currently at its peak. Ahead of the Euronews summit, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized in her annual State of the Union address that “a bigger and more powerful Union” including Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans is “a security assurance for everyone.” Her recent visit to the candidate countries has provided a fresh momentum to the expansion process.

It was an Euronews interview with President Von der Leyen, shortly after Russia’s large-scale invasion began, that initiated Ukraine’s accession process during those critical times for the Ukrainian people.

On 27 February 2022, President Von der Leyen exclusively stated to Euronews that Ukraine is “one of us and we desire their inclusion in the European Union.”

The next day, President Zelenskyy surprised the European elite by submitting Ukraine’s bid to become a member of the European Union, captured in the famous image of his signature taken in a bunker beneath the besieged Ukrainian presidential complex.

On the morning of February 28, 2022, Zelenskyy addressed Europe, requesting “Ukraine’s immediate joining through a new special process,” and mentioned that “our aim is to be with all Europeans and, above all, to be equal. I believe that is just. I am convinced we deserve it.”

Fast forward to Euronews’ Enlargement Summit on Tuesday: Ukraine’s path to joining the EU has become one of the most intricate European issues and is now linked with Moldova’s efforts to gain EU membership. This connection has already sparked a political discussion across the EU.

In an exclusive opinion piece published by Euronews ahead of the summit, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the European Union, Vsevolod Chentsov, stated that “in the face of Russia’s continuous aggression towards Ukraine and the hybrid conflict impacting Europe, European integration has emerged as Ukraine’s central national objective and the primary foundation of our society’s strength.”

“Joining the EU is more than just an institutional or economic change. It ensures Ukraine’s democratic future — and also Europe’s security, unity, and confidence,” Chentsov added.

The ambassador cautioned against a sluggish entry process, a stance that Hungary opposes, noting that “any delay conveys the incorrect message and could deter Ukrainians who uphold European values daily — frequently at the expense of their lives.”

In a firm communication addressed to EU leaders, the ambassador stated, “The European Union needs to match Ukraine’s resolve with clear strategy and courageous actions,” and added, “Trust in the European initiative relies on whether the EU can meet this challenge — by supporting those who are already standing up for European values at the front lines,” concluded Ukraine’s ambassador.

The European Union’s expansion conference occurs on the same day that the European Commission will unveil its EU expansion plan and the annual review of the progress achieved by Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans in their respective journeys toward joining the European Union.

Euronews will stream its EU Expansion Summit live across its TV and online channels, such as YouTube, on Tuesday, November 4, from 2 pm to 5 pm CET.