Citing diplomatic sources, US media reported on Tuesday that EU leaders will reportedly give the green light to accession talks with Kiev before the end of 2023, despite the ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine.
Earlier in the day, Czech President Petr Pavel said at an opening ceremony for the new academic year at the College of Europe in Bruges that the EU should enlarge in order to maintain its security and should not leave Ukraine and the Western Balkans "at the mercy of geopolitical manipulation."
In September, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said she was confident that the EU could continue to function effectively in an enlarged format, adding that the accession of new member states to the bloc would be the best investment in the peace, security and prosperity of the entire continent.