EU: Emmanuel Macron reaffirms his support for Ukraine's accession negotiations

Europe 1 with AFP / Photo credit: Ludovic MARIN / AFP 17:02 p.m., December 10, 2023

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday reaffirmed to his counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky the "support of France" for the opening of Ukraine's membership to the European Union, currently blocked by Hungary. During a phone call, Emmanuel Macron welcomed the adoption by the Ukrainian parliament on 8 and 9 December of "several decisive pieces of legislation, notably on the rights of national minorities, the reform of the judiciary and the fight against corruption", according to the Élysée. "Ukraine thus demonstrates its determination to respond immediately to the recommendations made to it by the European Commission," the French presidency added.

Viktor Orban unyielding in his opposition to the opening of this process

EU heads of state and government are due to vote on Thursday and Friday on the launch of Ukraine's accession negotiations. But Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban remains adamant in his opposition to the opening of this process. "Ukraine is known to be one of the most corrupt countries in the world. It's a joke! We cannot take the decision to start a process of accession negotiations," he said after meeting Emmanuel Macron last Thursday in Paris.

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The French president also "reiterated France's unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's war of aggression," the Elysee Palace said. For his part, Volodymyr Zelensky said on platform X that he had informed his French counterpart of military developments on the front line. "We discussed our priority needs and the next French military aid package that will significantly strengthen Ukraine's firepower," he wrote.