The leaders of Germany, France, Italy and Romania are in favor of Ukraine’s rapid accession to the European Union. They said that on Thursday during a visit to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, reports news agency AP. On Friday, the European Commission will issue an opinion on Ukraine’s application for membership.
“We support Ukraine’s status as a candidate for EU membership,” French President Emmanuel Macron said at a news conference. He visited Kyiv with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis.
Scholz confirmed Macron’s support for Ukraine. The leaders also promised that Moldova could join in the near future. Iohannis also argued for Georgia’s accession. “We have reached a turning point in European history. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary strategic and visionary responses,” said the Romanian president.
During the visit in Kyiv, the leaders of the four countries also met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. AP speaks of a visit with a “heavy symbolic charge” because Germany, France and Italy have been accused in recent weeks of being too soft on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Zelensky said at the press conference that he was pleased with the visit of EU leaders. According to him, it shows that Ukraine is not alone in the fight against Russia. “That confirmed the visit of Macron, Scholz, Draghi and Iohannis today,” Zelensky said.
Their statement of support comes a day before the European Commission issues an opinion on Kyiv’s application to join the EU. Next week, EU leaders will discuss that advice at a summit.
–
