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Zelensky & North Macedonia’s President Align on EU Accession Strategy

by Roman Cheplyk
Thursday, May 22, 2025
2 MIN
Zelensky & North Macedonia’s President Align on EU Accession Strategy

Leaders plan Southeast Europe summit to accelerate regional cooperation and support a “just peace” for Ukraine

Key Points

  • EU Membership Coordination: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova agreed to synchronize efforts toward full European Union membership.

  • Regional Summit in Focus: Kyiv and Skopje are preparing a Southeast Europe leaders’ summit, with Zelensky stressing the importance of North Macedonia’s attendance.

  • Security & Diplomacy: Zelensky briefed Siljanovska-Davkova on Ukraine’s diplomatic push for a “just peace” amid ongoing Russian aggression.

  • Continued Support: The Ukrainian leader thanked North Macedonia for its consistent backing on international platforms.


Dialogue Highlights

Zelensky on X (Twitter):
“We coordinated steps toward EU membership and discussed preparations for a summit of Southeast European leaders. Grateful for North Macedonia’s steadfast support.”

Topic Outcome
EU Accession Roadmap Joint commitment to align legislative reforms and share best practices
Regional Cooperation Agreement to leverage the Southeast Europe summit for collective security and economic resilience
Peace Diplomacy Zelensky updated Skopje on Ukraine’s peace initiatives and requested continued diplomatic support

Why It Matters

  1. Accelerated EU Integration – Synchronizing accession strategies can streamline negotiations for both Kyiv and Skopje.

  2. Regional Stability – A unified Southeast Europe front enhances the EU’s geopolitical resilience against external threats.

  3. Diplomatic Momentum – High-level coordination signals to Brussels that enlargement remains a strategic priority—even during wartime.


Next Steps

  • Summit Scheduling: Dates and agenda for the Southeast Europe leaders’ meeting to be announced.

  • Technical Working Groups: Officials from both countries will exchange expertise on acquis alignment, judiciary reforms, and anti-corruption measures.

  • Ongoing Consultations: Regular leader-level check-ins to track progress on EU benchmarks and regional initiatives.

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