Leading EU countries show political solidarity with Ukraine's application for EU membership.

The EU summit will decide next week whether Ukraine will receive the coveted candidate status.

The Heads of State and Government of Germany, France, Italy and Romania spoke in Kiev in favor of granting immediate EU candidate status to Ukraine and the neighboring republic of Moldova.

"Ukraine is part of the European family," said Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

The EU Commission wants to present today (17.06) the recommendation for granting immediate candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova, but the decision on this must be taken unanimously and this could happen probably at next week's summit in Brussels.

Clear criteria

However, accession to the European Union is linked to "clear criteria" which "must be respected by all".

These include democracy and the rule of law.

The French President, Emmanuel Macron, stressed that the candidate status should be accompanied by a concrete roadmap, and in the meantime, the aspirations for membership of the Western Balkan countries should be taken into account.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski told a joint news conference with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis: "Our country is ready to do whatever is necessary. to become a full member of the EU ”.

Candidate status for EU membership is a "historic opportunity" to strengthen European stability.

Europe supports Ukraine until victory

But while the chancellor was clear about Ukraine's candidate status, he was not clear about Ukraine's demands for German tanks and weapons.

At the press conference, Olaf Scholz did not promise new arms supplies, although the need for them in Ukraine is growing every day due to fierce fighting in the Donbas.

The chancellor reiterated previous commitments to Gepard tanks and missiles, but did not mention deadlines for their delivery.

Even French President Macron promised to send missiles again, but nothing more.

/ DW /