EU Council President Charles Michel and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy have dampened hope for Ukraine’s rapid accession to the EU. Michel said he expects a „difficult“ meeting next month, which will focus on the opening of formal accession talks with Ukraine. A disagreement within the EU states on this issue would put a question mark behind further financial aid for his country and the sanctions against Russia, warned Zelenskiy. Michel was cautiously optimistic. He described Ukraine’s reform progress as „remarkable“ and emphasized that he would do everything he could to persuade the 27 EU states to agree.