Zelensky Demands Fast-Track EU Membership As Ukraine ‘Pays The Price’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged European leaders to fast-track Ukraine’s membership of the European Union, arguing that no nation has sacrificed more for the right to join the bloc.

Speaking at an EU summit in Brussels, Zelensky said Ukraine had paid a far higher price than any other European country in its fight against Russia and deserved accelerated accession talks.

“Ukraine merits it because it has paid more than any other European country for its right to be free, independent and European,” he told leaders.

He called on the EU to open all remaining accession chapters within weeks and eventually approve Kyiv’s push for full membership.

Ukraine’s Army ‘A Major Asset For Europe’

Zelensky argued that Ukraine’s battle-hardened military should be seen as a strategic asset for Europe.

He said Ukraine now possesses one of the continent’s most experienced armed forces after years of war against Russia and claimed its military capabilities would strengthen both Europe and NATO.

“Ukraine is today, de facto, NATO’s second-strongest army,” he said.

The Ukrainian leader insisted Europe’s future security was being shaped on the battlefield in Ukraine and suggested this should weigh heavily in discussions over membership.

Push For European Missile Programme

Zelensky also renewed calls for a joint European ballistic missile programme, describing it as a Ukrainian-led initiative that had now become a wider continental project.

He said Europe could no longer rely entirely on outside powers for strategic defence capabilities.

“Europe will build its own ballistic capabilities,” he said. “This is an urgent matter.”

‘We Survived Orbán’

In one of his most pointed remarks, Zelensky suggested Ukraine had overcome years of obstruction from former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Following Hungary’s recent change of government under Péter Magyar, Zelensky said fresh opportunities existed to improve relations between Budapest, Brussels and Kyiv.

“We have survived Orbán,” he said, referring to years of Hungarian vetoes and opposition to Ukrainian funding and EU integration.

The Ukrainian president also stressed that Kyiv remained committed to maintaining good relations with neighbouring countries, including Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.

Zelensky: Putin Wants Ukraine Destroyed

Turning to the war, Zelensky accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of having no genuine interest in peace negotiations.

He dismissed Russian claims of seeking a settlement and said European leaders increasingly recognised that Moscow’s objective remained unchanged.

“Everything he says about wanting peace is a lie,” Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian leader described Putin as a “madman” who wants Ukraine destroyed and warned that Russia’s long-term goal remained the restoration of Soviet-era influence.

“Putin will stay in the Kremlin until his death,” Zelensky said. “To restore the Soviet Union, he needs Ukraine. Without Ukraine, that is impossible.”

EU Membership Battle Enters New Phase

Zelensky’s intervention comes as Ukraine seeks to convert strong political backing from European governments into concrete progress on EU accession.

While many member states support Ukraine’s bid, the process still faces political, economic and institutional hurdles.

Kyiv argues that its role in defending Europe from Russian aggression has fundamentally changed the equation and that Ukraine’s place inside the European Union should now be accelerated rather than delayed.

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