‘Over Time, Ukraine Belongs in EU’: Ursula von Der Leyen

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on June 8, 2021. Jean-Francois Badias/Pool via Reuters

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told Euronews in an interview on Sunday that over time, Ukraine “belongs” in the European Union and that the EU wants the country as a member.

Von der Leyen’s comments came shortly after Brussels announced it would provide some €500 million in lethal weapons and other aid to the Ukrainian military, and would ban Russian-backed media in the EU as well as prohibit Russian aircraft from EU airspace.