image source,EPA
Zelensky called Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a war “for a unified Europe.”
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi visited Ukraine on Thursday (16th) and met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.
Ukraine has previously criticized the three European powers for being too cautious in their support for Ukraine. During the meeting, the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Romania all expressed support for Ukraine’s application to join the European Union, saying it should be granted candidate status “immediately”.
“Ukraine belongs to the European family,” Scholz told a joint news conference.
But he added that Ukraine still had to fully meet the conditions for joining the EU.
In addition, French President Emmanuel Macron stressed that the 27-member European Union will support Ukraine until its victory over Russia.
Zelensky called the Russian invasion a war “for a unified Europe.” He added that “the most effective weapon” is unity. At the same time, he reiterated an urgent call for countries to send more heavy weapons to allow Ukraine to defend itself more effectively and liberate territory occupied since the Russian invasion began on February 24.
Earlier in the day, the four leaders also visited the destroyed town of Irpin near Kyiv, which was occupied by Russia within weeks.
Ukraine has accused Russian soldiers of committing war crimes by killing hundreds of civilians in towns such as Irpin and nearby Butcha, a claim Moscow has denied. The leaders’ visit to Kyiv comes as Russian troops continue their assault on the important city of Severodonetsk in eastern Ukraine. The capture of Severo Donetsk, and its twin city Lysychansk, has been Russia’s top military target for weeks as the Kremlin seeks to gain control of the entire Luhansk district.
image source,EPA
Ukrainian officials have repeatedly criticized France, Germany and Italy for being slow in supplying arms and focusing too much on appeasing Putin.
The trip came a day after the European Commission made recommendations on whether to grant Ukraine candidate status for the European Union. All 27 EU leaders will discuss the issue at their summit on June 23 and 24.
Some members of the European Commission have been lukewarm about Ukraine joining the bloc, while supportive rhetoric from three EU heavyweights France, Germany and Italy could shake their stance. However, candidacy is only one step towards full membership.
Ukrainian officials have repeatedly criticized the three countries for being slow in supplying arms and focusing too much on appeasing Putin. Earlier this month, Macron told French media it was crucial that Russia was not humiliated for its invasion of Ukraine, suggesting that Putin should have a way out of what he called a “fundamental mistake”.
Meanwhile, in Moscow, former President Dmitry Medvedev, now vice chairman of Russia’s Security Council, criticized the EU leaders’ trip on Twitter on Thursday, using language linked to stereotypes of EU-three cuisine: “European frogs” Connoisseurs of sausages, pâté, macaroni love to visit Kyiv, but the benefit is zero.”