Bangladesh, May 8 -- On May 7, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made an emphatic call for the European Union to accelerate Ukraines path toward membership, arguing that the move would not only reinforce Kyivs position against Moscow but also open the door for increased investment in Ukraines defense sector. Her remarks, delivered during a Europe Day event, signal a major push by Brussels to entrench Ukraine more firmly within the European political and economic sphere despite rising concerns both within the EU and from Russia.

Speaking before European officials, von der Leyen outlined three immediate priorities for the bloc: bolstering Ukraines defense capabilities, completing Europes phase-out of Russian fossil fuels, ...