Zelensky Rejects Macron's 'Political Community Theory'... "EU Must Become an Official Candidate"

Proposal for 'European Political Community' to be Discussed at EU Summit Meeting at the End of June

President Zelensky of Ukraine
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine must become a formal (full) candidate country to join the European Union (EU).

According to AFP, President Zelensky stated the following during a joint press conference with Portuguese Prime Minister Ant?nio Costa, who visited Kyiv on the 21st (local time).

President Zelensky said, "We do not need any alternative other than Ukraine applying for EU membership. There is no need for compromise."

This clearly rejects the proposal by French President Emmanuel Macron that Ukraine should first join the 'European Political Community,' a kind of waiting room concept, instead of the EU.

President Macron pointed out on the 9th that it could take "decades" for Ukraine to secure full EU membership and said Ukraine should aspire to join the 'European Political Community,' which is akin to an annex of the EU, before that. However, President Zelensky's stance was firm.

He responded to Macron's proposal by saying, "I am convinced that it would not be a negotiation between Europe and Ukraine, but a negotiation between Europe and Russia."

President Macron's 'European Political Community' proposal is scheduled to be discussed at the EU summit at the end of June. He also suggested that the United Kingdom, which left the EU, could join this community. However, some European leaders have already criticized the idea. UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss poured cold water on Macron's proposal the day before, saying, "It is better to work based on structures that are already functioning successfully."

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also said shortly after President Macron's proposal, "It is a very interesting way to address the difficulties we face," but drew a line by adding, "This should not lead us to abandon the accession procedures (of other countries) that we have been working on for a long time."