EU pledges support for Zelensky

In a joint letter as Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s landslide victory in Ukraine's presidential runoff was confirmed, European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker praised the conduct of the election.

Tusk and Junker noted that the people of Ukraine have demonstrated "the strong attachment to democracy and the rule of law" throughout the electoral process. "This is a major achievement in the complex political, economic and security environment, against the backdrop of continuous challenges to Ukraine's territorial integrity," the said in a letter.

"Significant progress has been made in the five years since Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity," they wrote. "And much remains to be accomplished to fully realise the peaceful, democratic and prosperous Ukraine that its citizens have called for."

The wrote that as President of Ukraine, Zelensky can count on the EU's strong support to Ukraine's reform path, including consolidating the rule of law, fighting corruption, maintaining macro-financial stability and pursuing the essential reform of the energy sector.

"We strongly believe the further implementation by the EU and Ukraine of the Association Agreement, including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, can be a crucial instrument in this respect. You can also count on the EU's continued and steadfast support of Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity," the statement reads.

Proposing an early meeting with Zelenskiy, Tusk and Juncker said further steps to implement Kiev’s trade and political pact with the Union could provide “crucial” help.