SPD leader Klingbeil: pushing ahead with Ukraine’s EU accession

After Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyj visited Germany, SPD Chairman Lars Klingbeil called for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union to be accelerated. “Of course, the same conditions apply to Ukrainian EU accession as to all other countries, but we should push this important issue forward,” Klingbeil told the editorial network Germany (Monday). Germany has a great responsibility in this regard. “We have the strength in Europa Initiating and accelerating things.”

Klingbeil continued: “Ukraine belongs to Europe, it defends against Russia our European values ​​every day.” This is also shown by the awarding of the Charlemagne Prize to Zelenskyj and the Ukrainian people for their commitment to European unity. At the ceremony in Aachen on Sunday, Selenskyj again urged his country to join the EU and NATO. This will motivate Ukrainian fighters.

Ukraine has officially been a candidate for EU membership since last summer. However, the 27 EU countries still have to decide unanimously on negotiations. There should be a positive vote if Ukraine has fulfilled seven requirements. These are about the selection process for constitutional judges and a stronger fight against corruption – especially at a high level. The EU is also demanding that standards in the fight against money laundering be observed and a law against the excessive influence of oligarchs be implemented. Ukraine hopes to start concrete EU accession negotiations this year.