Ukraine is ready to become an official candidate for the European Union on Thursday, in a symbolic but morale boosting decision after Russia’s invasion of the country, ministers and diplomats said on Tuesday.
EU leaders in Brussels are expected to approve last week’s recommendation from the European Commission, the EU’s executive body. After several days of internal bloc discussions, no opposition has emerged among the 27 member states, the three diplomats told Reuters.
“We are working to tell (Russian President Vladimir) Putin that Ukraine belongs to Europe and we will protect the values that Ukraine represents,” Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn told reporters. EU ministers.
Diplomats say it is almost certain that Moldova will also receive candidate status, but that Georgia will have to meet conditions to overcome the country’s political stalemate.
Denmark’s foreign minister said he supports his candidacy status, despite some fears that admitting Ukraine, which suffers from rampant corruption among northern EU countries, is not sustainable.
“This is very good and something Denmark supports wholeheartedly; we want to help Ukraine realize its European dream,” Jeppe Kofod told reporters in Luxembourg.
While the nomination marks a strategic shift towards the east of the EU in the face of Russia’s war in Ukraine, it will likely take years for Kiev to become a member of the bloc.
source: Noticias
[author_name]
