KYIV, Feb 6 - President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen is convinced that Ukraine will soon be a member of the European Union.

Speaking on Tuesday in Strasbourg as part of the plenary session of the European Parliament, she said: "The contrast [in Ukraine] with just ten years ago could not be starker. Back then, a pro-Russia regime in Ukraine was passing authoritarian laws and killing protesters on the streets. Today, the country has just given itself new legislation to expand national minority rights, to improve the judicial system, and to ensure checks and balances on power. This is what led us to launching the accession negotiations. And this progress is happening not only because Europe is asking for it. This is the deep desire of the people of Ukraine. Ukraine is Europe, because Europe is in the hearts and minds of Ukrainians. And soon enough, Ukraine will also be in our Union."