Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) and EC President Ursula von der Leyen at a meeting in Kyiv on June 11, 2022. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

During talks with Zelensky on a surprise visit to Kyiv, Von der Leyen said the talks will enable the EU to finalise the assessment by the end of next week.

Shortly after Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine in late February, Ukraine applied to join the EU.

But EU member states are currently arguing over Ukraine's request to push for its rapid admission into the bloc.