If Ukraine does not receive the status of a candidate state for joining the European Union, this will mean deception by Europe.
This opinion was expressed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba in an interview with the Financial Times.
Thus, he commented on yesterday’s statement by French President Emmanuel Macron that Ukraine’s accession to the EU could last at least “several years”.
– Three months ago, this country (Ukraine – Ed.) did not even have the prospect of membership. Now they are discussing how long it will take, – Kuleba said.
He clarified that now the most important thing for Ukraine is to obtain the status of a candidate for membership in the European Union in June 2022.
– Then we’ll sit down with you and settle the rest of the questions. How, when and everything else, – the minister said.
Commenting on Macron’s offer to create a form of associated membership for Ukraine, the Foreign Minister said that such an alternative would not satisfy Kyiv.
– If we do not get the status of a candidate, it will mean only one thing: that Europe is trying to deceive us. And we’re not going to accept it. Ukraine is the only place in Europe where people die for the values on which the European Union is based. And I think that this should be respected, – Kuleba emphasized.
The day before, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine had already filled out the second part of the questionnaire required to obtain the status of a candidate state for EU membership.
The European Commission promises to quickly consider the questionnaire and make a decision in June this year.
At the same time, French President Emmanuel Macron, during a speech in the European Parliament, said that Ukraine would need years or even decades to join the European Union. He offered to create a new format of cooperation for democratic countries that are not yet members of the EU. According to Macron, this new association will also be open to Ukraine’s membership.