After the Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, Volodymyr Zelenskyy is sending another representative to Berlin to hold talks on EU membership. The federal government has so far been reluctant.
The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Selenskyj has sent a special envoy to Berlin to hold talks with the federal government about the prospect of EU accession for his country.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Minister for Regional Development, Oleksiy Tschernyschow, wants, among others, Chancellor Wolfgang Schmidt (SPD), Minister of Development Svenja Schulze (SPD), Minister of Agriculture Cem Ozdemir (Greens) and in the absence of the Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) meet their Minister of State Tobias Lindner (Greens).
Die Ukraine hopes that the heads of state and government of the European Union them at the summit meeting on 23./24. declare a candidate for EU accession. Shortly before that, the EU Commission will issue a recommendation. While other EU states have already spoken out clearly in favor of candidate status for Ukraine, the German government is still reluctant.
Ukraine rejects favoritism
“The European Union should embrace Ukraine,” Chernyshev demanded before his talks in Berlin. But he also emphasized that his country did not want to be given preferential treatment. “We do not expect accession through the back door, nor do we expect a fast track for Ukraine.” As the economically strongest and most populous country in the EU, Germany plays a “decisive role” in the accession issue.
Chernyshev rejected any other form of partnership with the EU instead of membership, as suggested by French President Emmanuel Macron. Ukraine wants to belong to the EU. “We have no plans to consider any other format at this time.”
Last week, the President of the Ukrainian Parliament, Ruslan Stefantschuk, campaigned for his country’s EU candidate status in Berlin and met with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, among others.
Zelenskyj: EU accession will decide the future of Europe
President Selenskyj firmly expects his country to gain EU candidate status within the next few weeks. “I mean, this will not only be a decision for Ukraine, but for the entire European project,” said the head of state in his daily video message. That will also decide whether the EU has a future or not, Zelenskyj said.
(dpa)
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