Europe is with Ukraine as long as it is needed - Ursula von der Leyen addresses Ukraine's parliament

She said this during a speech in the Ukrainian parliament.

"You are fighting very bravely. Europe will stand for Ukraine as long as it needs.We will not rest until you defeat the enemy" she said.

The president of the European Commission also thanked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the opportunity to speak in the Council and reminded that next Monday, together with President Zelensky and Ukrainian Prime Minister Shmyhal, she will participate in the conference on the restoration of Ukraine in Lugano, Switzerland.

"Your European path and the reconstruction of the country will go hand in hand. Ukraine will be in the lead. Large investments will be needed. But in order to maximize their impact and strengthen business confidence, investments will need to be combined with a new wave of reforms," ​ von der Leyen said.

She noted that considerable progress has already been achieved.

"Take up the fight against corruption. You have created a striking anti-corruption machine. But now these institutions need teeth and need people in leadership positions. A new head of the SAPO and a new director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine should be appointed as soon as possible," she said.

At the same time, she reminded about the reform of the Constitutional Court, the need to adopt legislation on the procedures for selecting judges, the need to reduce the excessive influence of oligarchs on the economy, as well as to adopt a law on mass media that will bring Ukrainian legislation into line with current EU standards.