Von der Leyen discusses Ukraine's EU reforms, defense cooperation in first call with PM Koretskyi

Editor's note: The story has been updated with the latest details.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on July 20 that she called with Ukraine's new Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi, pledging ongoing cooperation on reforms and European integration.

"We will continue cooperating closely on reforms that move Ukraine's EU accession process forward," the chief of the EU's executive arm said on X after her first call with Koretskyi since he took office.

Koretskyi, in turn, promised that Ukraine would pursue necessary reforms while counting "on the European Union's continued unity in support of Ukraine and on further progress in the accession negotiations."

A former CEO of state oil and gas company Naftogaz, Koretskyi assumed office on July 16 after President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed former Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko.

The reshuffle took place as Ukraine pursues closer integration with Europe across multiple tracks, from EU accession to defense-industrial cooperation.

While the EU has already launched two out of six negotiation clusters with Ukraine, experts noted slowing progress in reforms on Kyiv's part.

Taras Kachka, until recently serving as deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, was among those dismissed in the reshuffle, with ambassador Vsevolod Chentsov taking his place.

"Ukraine now looks forward to the opening of all remaining negotiating clusters on its path to EU accession without delay," Koretskyi said.

In her post, von der Leyen also underscored the recently signed Drone Deal, an agreement on deepening industrial cooperation in unmanned systems signed during her visit to Kyiv on July 15.

"Our Drone Deal will harness the EU's industrial strength to produce Ukraine's most innovative defense equipment at speed and scale," von der Leyen said.

Last week, Brussels also concluded a new Defense Industrial Partnership with Kyiv to pool European resources with Ukraine's war-tested expertise, with von der Leyen announcing about 11 billion euros ($12.5 billion) for drones, jets, and missiles for Ukraine.

Von der Leyen and Koretskyi also said they discussed preparations for what will be already the fifth winter of the full-scale war — specifically, protection of critical infrastructure against Russian attacks.

Koretskyi said the two addressed "additional financing to secure the necessary gas reserves and restore energy infrastructure that Russia continues to deliberately target."