European Commission president names 3 priorities of EU support for Ukraine

BRUSSELS. May 7 (Interfax) - The European Union will help Kiev take a strong position by offering military assistance, stopping Russian energy imports, and accelerating Ukraine's admission to the European Union, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

"This is the crossroad we face, and Europe has a huge stake. So, we must do our utmost to strengthen Ukraine's hand," von der Leyen said at a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday.

"Today, I would like to focus on how we can do so and on three priorities for our actions. First, support Ukraine's defense. Second, complete the phase-out of Russian fossil fuels. Third, accelerate Ukraine's accession path to our union," she said.

Speaking of military assistance, she said that the EU's support for Ukraine had totaled 50 billion euros and it was necessary to "move from a logic of aid to a logic of integration of our defense industries."

"We are encouraging our member states to place orders directly in Ukraine's defense industry because this is the most effective and the most cost-efficient way to support Ukraine's military efforts. We are focusing in particular on defense tech and innovation," von der Leyen said.