Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned Romania in his speech at the European Council meeting.
„For Ukraine, being a good neighbor has never been just a mere circumstance. And now we are ready to collaborate as closely as possible and based on mutual respect with each of our neighbors in the European Union. I want to thank our neighbors – Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia – as well as all other EU member states and assure them that Ukraine is deeply committed to promoting mutual respect,” Zelensky said, according to the speech transcript presented by the Presidency in Kiev.
In the same speech, he stated that Ukraine believes that every democratic nation in Europe deserves to be a full member of the EU. And we are working as actively as possible to achieve this goal.
"Please do not forget that Ukraine deserves this because it has paid more than any other European country for its right to be free, independent, and, of course - I emphasize this - European. This right does not only belong to Ukraine. It is also the right of other nations to be independent from Russia.
The future of Europe - free, united, and, of course, peaceful - is decided by our defense. This shows how unique our situation is.
I am grateful to all those who understand this and take the necessary steps to demonstrate that Europe truly appreciates and supports it.
The most important such step could be an accelerated procedure - I know not everyone likes this idea, but, sorry, I have already written it, so I will say it - a fast track for Ukraine's accession to the European Union," Zelensky stated.
He emphasized that Ukraine is ready to carry out the necessary reforms, "but the lack of a clear decision regarding Ukraine within the EU continues to encourage Russia's interference."
"If Ukraine obtains full membership status and obtains it quickly - I hope for this - Russia will lose one of the main reasons for trying to destabilize both Ukraine and Europe. That is why this fast track to accession is so necessary," he argued.