Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tells European Union leaders that Ukraine deserves a fast-track path to EU membership. Speaking in Brussels on Thursday, he says Ukraine merits “full EU membership more than any other European country” and calls for EU steps that move quickly on accession. Zelensky also urges the EU to open all accession “clusters” in the coming weeks, suggesting this would allow the process to advance ahead of a later, broader endorsement stage. The statements are framed as part of Ukraine’s broader push for expedited talks with the EU. In response to his remarks, EU leaders are considering how to proceed with Ukraine’s accession process, including any timeline for opening accession areas and progressing toward a formal endorsement of the fast-track bid. Both outlets report the same core message from Zelensky: Ukraine should be treated as prioritised for a quicker route into the EU, with the aim of accelerating the accession process through near-term procedural steps.