Taoiseach of Ireland Leo Varadkar has stressed that EU leaders must agree on key decisions regarding Ukraine, especially financial support, as this would send a clear signal to the United States. [The Taoiseach is the leader of the government of Ireland – ed.]

Varadkar in a conversation with journalists before the start of the first day of the EU leaders' summit noted that ideally, the EU should make a positive decision on both the multi-year financial support for Ukraine worth €50 billion and the start of accession negotiations, but the decision on funding is particularly critical. 

"Ukraine will not stand without support and ongoing support of both the European Union and the United States, the two towers of freedom and democracy in the world, and if Ukraine doesn’t have support from the EU and the US, well, then Putin will win, and all of the consequences that will flow for the world after that," he said.  

He added that it may take many more years before Ukraine actually joins the EU, but negotiations should start in 2024, as it will be of great importance for the morale of Ukrainians.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, for his part, stressed that the decisions taken or not taken on Ukraine would have consequences for the EU's reputation as an association.