Granting Ukraine the status of a candidate member of the European Union can significantly enhance freedom in Europe and become an important successful decision on its historical path.. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said this during a conversation with media representatives following a meeting with the presidents of France and Romania, as well as the heads of government of Germany and Italy in Kyiv.
Russia wants to show that European unification is allegedly incapable of being effective and that European values \u200b\u200bcannot work to protect freedom. We can, and therefore must, jointly break this scenario and prove to them that Europe will continue to be free, democratic and, I emphasize once again what is important, united,” the Head of Ukrainian State said..
According to him, the main manifestation of the overall strong position of Europe could be support for Ukraine's integration into the EU..
“The very course of European history has proved the correctness of the positive response of the European Union to Ukrainian aspirations.. The status of a candidate member of the European Union for Ukraine can historically strengthen freedom in Europe and become one of the key European decisions in the first third of the 21st century,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The President stressed that Ukraine is ready to do the necessary work to get full membership in the European Union.
“Ukrainians have already earned the right to embark on this path and receive the status of a candidate. We have all seen the survey confirming that the majority in all European countries and on the European continent as a whole supports the European integration of Ukraine. There is historically the highest level of support for European integration by the Ukrainian people,” he said..
President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron, for his part, noted that Ukraine is part of the European family and the leaders of the four countries support granting Ukraine the status of a candidate for EU membership.
He expressed hope that the decision to be taken at next week's European Council meeting would be unanimous.. According to him, this status is tied to the road map, so Ukraine's European path is just beginning..
Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz stressed that the status of an EU candidate is an important milestone on the European path of Ukraine and assured that he would advocate for a corresponding decision at the meeting of the European Council.
He added that in order to join the European Union, candidates must meet certain criteria of a democratic and rule of law state..
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis stressed that the European Union must create effective tools for the restoration of Ukraine.
" Our responsibility is not to miss this opportunity to help our Ukrainian friends find a new future,” said the President of Romania.
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi added that the EU today demonstrates unity and confirms its readiness to help Ukraine together with allies. He also assured of support for the European aspirations of our country.
Italy wants to see Ukraine in the European Union. This means that it will unequivocally support Ukraine in its candidate status and further EU membership.. We are talking about a path that involves deep reforms,” said Mario Draghi.