EU and Ukraine interests `exactly the same', Juncker tells Kiev

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker delivers a speech at an event celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Eastern Partnership between the EU and Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, in Brussels, Belgium May 14, 2019. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union and Ukraine share strategic interests, the European Commission's president said on Tuesday, and he called for patience and determination as Ukraine tries to align itself with western Europe.

The EU is watching with a wary eye as Ukraine's incoming president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, prepares to take office. It has backed Ukraine's pro-European aspirations, but Zelenskiy is an unknown quantity, a comedian with no political experience.