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The European Commission is expected to give its opinion on June 17 to grant Ukraine the status of candidate country for membership in the European Union.
The commission’s meeting comes a day after four European leaders visited Ukraine and voiced support for “immediate” candidate status as Kiev faces unprovoked Russian occupation.
Never before has such an opinion been given so quickly for membership in the European Union, a decision that must be adopted by all 27 member states.
The German news agency Dpa, citing sources within the Commission, said that the EU executive body seems to be in favor of granting candidate country status to Ukraine and Moldova as well.
The meeting will be chaired by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The Commission’s opinion will serve as a basis for discussion at next week’s EU summit – on 23 and 24 June – where leaders are expected to approve candidate status for Ukraine, but by setting strict conditions, which will it could take years or decades for the state to join the EU.
France, Germany, Italy and Romania are in favor of Ukraine receiving “immediately” candidate status, French President Emmanuel Macron said in Kiev on June 16.
Macron made the remarks during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis.
The visit of European leaders to Kiev had a strong symbolism that the EU supports Zelenskyn, who has called on the European bloc to offer its state membership through shortened procedures, arguing that such a thing would be “Strong response” to unprovoked Russian occupation.
Zelensky submitted Ukraine’s application for EU membership shortly after the start of the Russian occupation on February 24, while Moldova and Georgia did so shortly after Kiev.
Even if they receive candidate status, both Ukraine and Moldova will face the challenge of the membership process, which can take years. In the case of Ukraine, the focus will be on promoting good governance, the rule of law and anti-corruption measures.
Meanwhile, Georgia will be able to obtain candidate status only after it has met certain conditions, said sources quoted by the DPA.
Macron on June 16 also promised that France would increase arms shipments to Ukraine so that Kiev could face Russian occupation.
The new shipment will include six powerful artillery pieces, Macron said, adding that the leaders “are doing everything possible for a single Ukraine to decide its own destiny.”
Scholz said on June 16 that Germany supports granting candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova.
“My colleagues and I have come to Kiev today to give a clear message: Ukraine belongs to the European family,” Scholz said.
This was Scholz’s first visit to Kiev since the start of the war. He has been under pressure to visit the Ukrainian capital and express his solidarity with Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Draghi, expressed concerns about Ukraine’s cereals, which can not be exported due to Russia’s blockade of the Black Sea ports. He said the blockade could lead to “worldwide catastrophe”.
“We want the atrocities to stop and we want peace,” Draghi said. “But Ukraine must defend itself and it will be Ukraine itself that will choose the peace it wants.”
Both Macron and Scholz also said that Ukraine should determine the terms of any possible peace agreement with Russia.
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