EU Likely to Grant EU Candidate Status to Ukraine Today... German and French Leaders Express Support

Germany, France, Italy, and Romania Leaders Visit Kyiv "Support Ukraine's EU Candidate Status"
Demand Strong Reform Measures... Zelensky "A Historic Decision to Strengthen Europe"

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (center) holds a joint press conference on the 16th (local time) in the capital Kyiv with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (first on the right), French President Emmanuel Macron (second on the right), Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi (second on the left), and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis (first on the left).
Kyiv (Ukraine) = Reuters·Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Byunghee Park] On the 16th (local time), the leaders of Germany, France, Italy, and Romania visited Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, and expressed their support for granting Ukraine the status of a European Union (EU) candidate country. With the support expressed by major EU country leaders, the possibility has increased that Ukraine will be granted candidate status and enter full-scale negotiations for formal EU membership. The European Commission, the EU's executive body, is expected to present its opinion on the agenda to grant candidate status to Ukraine and other countries that have applied for EU membership on the 17th.

Bloomberg News reported on the visit of the four leaders to Kyiv, stating that the European Commission plans to grant candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova. It also added that Georgia is expected to be granted candidate status as well. Ukraine applied for EU membership on February 28, just four days after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and Moldova and Georgia submitted their EU membership applications in early March.

French President Emmanuel Macron said at a joint press conference, "The four leaders support granting Ukraine immediate EU candidate status." President Macron also told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, "Europe will continue to stand by your side." On the other hand, President Macron blamed Russia for the war, destruction, and chaos, particularly condemning atrocities committed in Irpin, on the outskirts of Kyiv.

The day before, President Macron visited Moldova and expressed support for Moldova's EU membership. After a meeting with Moldovan President Maia Sandu, he said at a joint press conference, "You can expect support from the EU and France."

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also expressed support for granting Ukraine EU candidate status at the joint press conference in Kyiv, saying, "We came here with a clear message that Ukraine is part of the European family."

However, the leaders made it clear that strong reform measures are necessary for Ukraine to become a full EU member. Chancellor Scholz said, "Candidate status will proceed along with a roadmap (towards full membership)," adding, "We must also consider the situation in the Balkans and neighboring regions, especially Moldova."

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said, "The process from EU candidate to member will be a journey witnessing profound reforms in Ukrainian society."

President Zelensky expressed gratitude to the four leaders and responded, "We are ready to work hard to become a formal member of the EU." He emphasized, "Ukraine becoming an EU candidate country will be a historic decision that strengthens Europe."

President Zelensky also requested weapons support for the war against Russia, and the four leaders responded positively. President Macron announced that in addition to the 12 155mm Caesar self-propelled howitzers already provided, an additional 6 Caesar howitzers will be supplied.

If the European Commission presents a positive opinion on the agenda to grant candidate status to Ukraine and others on the 17th, and the 27 member states unanimously approve the agenda at the EU summit on the 23rd-24th, Ukraine will be granted candidate status and enter full-scale negotiations for formal membership.

However, even if Ukraine obtains EU candidate status, it must meet the EU's requirements related to social institutions and economic structures to become a full member. The European Commission is expected to disclose the conditions necessary for EU membership while presenting its opinion on granting candidate status. Croatia, the most recent country to join the EU, became a full member 10 years after applying for membership.