French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday that it would take years for Ukraine to join the European Union.
In a press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, he renewed his call for a new European formula that would allow countries to join the European Union.
He also said that what is happening in Ukraine increases concern for the political situation in Europe, adding, “We must work to avoid a new war on the continent of Europe.”
In addition, the French president stressed that Britain “could have a place” in a broader European organization that includes democratic countries outside the European Union.
“The United Kingdom has decided to leave the EU but it can have a place in this political organisation,” Macron told reporters after holding talks with Schultz.
european family
For his part, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stressed that “Ukraine belongs to the European family,” noting that Macron’s proposal to create a broader European organization is interesting.
He said that Berlin would do whatever was needed to prevent the war from spreading to Eastern Europe.
He also added, “The sanctions we have imposed on Russia are historic,” calling for quick action to stop the war in Ukraine and the displacement movement.
These statements come after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced earlier Monday that she had discussed with the Group of Seven support for the European Union and the European track for Ukraine, pointing out that the position could be issued next month (June).
In a tweet on her Twitter account, she said that she had discussed with the G7 the European Union’s support for the Ukrainian file, adding that the Commission was looking forward to receiving answers to the EU membership questionnaire.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Macron – Reuters
So close
It is noteworthy that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly said over the past months that his country is very close to entering the EU. He explained that the European Commission and the Ukrainian government are moving together towards this strategic goal.
This came after the Ukrainian presidency signed on February 28 a formal request to immediately join the 27-nation union, under a special procedure because Kyiv is defending itself against Russia, despite the leaders of European countries who met in Versailles last March. They made it clear that the path to membership in the Union could not be quick or hasty, which frustrated a little at the time the Ukrainian ambitions.
On the other hand, Moscow has warned more than once of this step, considering that it is inseparable from joining NATO, which is a red line for it and for its strategic security.
This issue is considered very sensitive and even a red line for Russia, which has repeatedly called for Ukraine to be made a “neutral country” away from joining any Western or international blocs, including the European Union and, more importantly, NATO.
