Europe1 .fr with AFP 9:41 a.m., February 7, 2023, modified at 9:49 a.m., February 7, 2023
On the 348th day of the war in Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was invited to participate in "a future summit" of the Twenty-Seven.
Several sources report his possible arrival in Brussels on Thursday.
THE ESSENTIAL
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been invited to participate in "a future summit" of the Twenty-Seven, a spokesman for the President of the European Council Charles Michel announced on Monday, without further details, while several sources report his possible arrival. in Brussels on Thursday.
Charles Michel "has invited (Volodymyr) Zelensky to attend a future (EU) summit in person. For security reasons, no further information will be released," a spokesperson for the European leader said on Twitter. Barend Leyts.
However, several European sources have reported to AFP a possible visit by Volodymyr Zelensky to Brussels on Thursday, on the occasion of a meeting of heads of state and government of the Twenty-Seven.
>> Find all the editorial newspapers of Europe 1 in replay and podcast here
If confirmed, it would be the Ukrainian president's first visit to the EU capital since the start of the Russian military offensive against his country on February 24, 2022. Volodymyr Zelensky could address MEPs in person: a source in the European Parliament announced "the probability that an extraordinary plenary session will be held on Thursday February 9 in the presence of Volodymyr Zelensky".
Two other parliamentary sources confirmed this information, on condition of anonymity.
An extraordinary summit of European leaders
The Ukrainian leader has a "permanent invitation" to Brussels, Charles Michel's spokesman was content to indicate earlier on Monday.
The Ukrainian presidency has not confirmed this visit either, which raises security issues.
Volodymyr Zelensky traveled to Washington on December 22 for his first international trip since the start of the war.
He had met US President Joe Biden and addressed Congress.
>> READ ALSO -
A year after the start of the war in Ukraine, has the Russian army learned from its failures?
An extraordinary summit of European leaders is scheduled for Thursday and Friday in Brussels to discuss, in particular, the evolution of the war in Ukraine and EU solidarity with Kyiv.
Charles Michel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other senior European representatives met on Friday in kyiv with Volodymyr Zelensky to show their support for Ukraine's accession process.
The country has officially been a candidate for membership since June 2022, an arduous process requiring many reforms that could take years but which Kyiv hopes to speed up.
Ukraine also receives financial support from the EU, which has already pledged 50 billion euros, including humanitarian and military aid.