President Volodymyr Zelensky and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met in Rome to discuss Ukraine's progress on its path to European integration.

Source: von der Leyen shared her impressions on social media X after the meeting, reported by "European Truth".

Direct quote: "You can count on our support at the negotiating table to achieve a fair and lasting peace...

Today we also discussed the steps Ukraine is taking to earn its place in our family of nations".

Background: The EU was ready in January to open the first cluster of accession negotiations with Ukraine, but Hungary blocked this decision.

Budapest promised to continue blocking the opening of further clusters for Ukraine until "consultations" with the public on this issue are completed – during which Prime Minister Viktor Orban publicly voted against Ukraine's EU membership.