Ukraine can join EU if…: Ursula von der Leyen on Kyiv's options as Donald Trump sides with Putin— what it means?

Ursula von der Leyen on Monday stated Ukraine can join the European Union well before 2030, within her current term as European Commission president, if it can meet certain criteria. The statement is significant, as Donald Trump has finally picked a side in the Ukraine conflict and, to everyone's surprise, it is Russia's.

Amid the political tensions between the two countries, Ursula von der Leyen praised Ukraine’s progress toward reaching EU norms and said, “I really appreciate the political will that is there. I would even say Ukraine’s merit-based process if they continue at that speed and at that quality, perhaps they could be earlier than 2030.”

It is important to note that accession to the EU comes with numerous legal and democratic hurdles, which Ukraine’s government has been racing to clear.

What does it mean for Ukraine?

Welcoming Ukraine into the EU after its war with Russia ends could help deter Moscow from future aggression—an important move, as the US is still reluctant to allow Kyiv to join NATO or deploy troops for a postwar peacekeeping mission.

Experts see Trump’s dispute with Volodymyr Zelenskyy as an attempt to pressure Ukraine into accepting a minerals deal.

Last week, Trump claimed the US was owed $500 billion worth of Ukraine’s resources—including mineral deposits, oil and gas, and infrastructure such as ports—in return for past military aid against Russia. However, Zelenskyy has firmly rejected the proposal, stating that any agreements on mineral resources must be tied to post-war US security guarantees.

“We do not recognize this debt,” Zelenskyy said. “It will not be part of the final agreement.”

On the other hand, Trump on Friday said that the White House and Ukraine are close to finalising an agreement related to rare earth minerals. “I think we’re pretty close,” Trump told reporters on Friday.

(With inputs from Politico and agencies)