Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke via video call at a meeting of the European Council on Thursday morning – the EU summit to discuss the possibility of starting the process of Ukraine's accession to the EU.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, arriving at the meeting of the European Council in Brussels, declared his support for the opening of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union.

Mark Rutte, the long-time Prime Minister of the Netherlands, who is completing his mandate in office, believes that Hungary's Premier Viktor Orbán will give in and the EU summit will reach an agreement on Ukraine.

Taoiseach of Ireland Leo Varadkar has stressed that EU leaders must agree on key decisions regarding Ukraine, especially financial support, as this would send a clear signal to the United States.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has said that he does not oppose Ukraine's accession to the EU, but insists on "following the procedures".

Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo has emphasised that the decisions of the EU summit regarding Ukraine go beyond purely Ukrainian issues, and the reputation of the European Union depends on the ability of the countries to come to an agreement.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that during a conversation with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, he asked him to name just one reason why Ukraine should not be in the EU.

The decision to initiate accession negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova is expected to prompt the European Union to propose a revised framework for their proceedings.