After meeting with the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, four stated that they supported Ukraine’s immediate acquisition of this status, on the eve of the Council of Europe (EC) addressing this issue in Brussels.

“Europe is on your side, and it will last as long as it takes until victory,” the French president said, Emmanuel Macronin a press conference.

German Chancellor, Olaf Scholzremember that the decision to accept Ukraine as a candidate required a consensus of Twenty-seven and added that Germany supported the “positive decision”, also for the Republic of Moldova, and called for speeding up the expansion process in the Balkans.

He stressed that countries wishing to join the bloc must meet “clear criteria”, which include, for example, respect for democratic institutions and the rule of law, values ​​that “differentiate the EU from the rest”.

Prime Minister of Italy, Mario Draghishows for his part that this path should see “deep reforms” in Ukrainian society, however, according to what he said “Daily defends the democratic values ​​and freedoms on which the European project is based.”

Zelensky reiterated that his country has chosen the path of integration in Europe, a path that is “historically proven”, and pointed out that Kyiv aspires to be a “trusted partner” that is a full member of the Union.

“The majority of the continent’s population supports our aspirations,” he stressed.

Commitment to delivery of new weapons

The five heads of government also discussed the issue of providing weapons to strengthen the defense capabilities of the Ukrainian armed forces and Zelensky used the opportunity to once again call for urgent support.

The situation is “extremely unstable” on the territory of the country hit by Russian attacks and any arms shipments “save human lives,” he said.

He added that Russia attacked “kindergartens and schools” and referred to the large number of soldiers and civilians killed to date.the reason why Ukraine needs an “efficient anti-aircraft system”.

In response to his call, Macron announced the delivery of six Caesar-type heavy self-propelled guns, while Scholz, who has been the target of much criticism for the slow pace of German military support, said he had approved the supply of Cobra radars to aid defence. city ​​from air raids.

In addition, he pointed out that Germany has reached a trilateral agreement with the United States and Britain to provide kyiv with multiple rocket launchers.

Peace treaty with Russia is a long way off

Ahead of the visit of European leaders, there was speculation that they intended to pressure Zelensky into accepting commitments in the face of an eventual peace deal with Russia, an extreme they all rejected.

Scholz stressed that there should be no “forced peace” and that it should be “the Government, Parliament, people of Ukraine” who decide what is acceptable to achieve a peace that is still “very, very far away”.

Draghi explores the same idea and points out that a diplomatic solution cannot be carried out without the “will” of Kyiv, without which it is impossible to build an “eternal and just” peace.

In this regard, Zelensky assured that Russia was unwilling to abandon the “path of confrontation” and that, in order to resume stalled talks, Ukraine is waiting for “proposals” and “real actions” from Moscow.

He recalled that even the presence of European leaders did not deter Russia from threatening the Ukrainian capital today, where anti-aircraft alarms sounded twice, the first shortly after the head of government got off the train taking them to kyiv.

Macron, for his part, defended his phone conversation with the Russian leader, Vladimir Putinand emphasizes that although the current situation on the battlefield “does not allow” the resumption of peace negotiations, talks with the Kremlin are fruitful and “must be carried out.”

Romanian President, Klaus Iohannishighlights on the other hand the efforts to transport Ukrainian grain by rail and alleviate the food crisis caused by the invasion of the country, one of the world’s main grain exporters.

He also called for the opening of maritime corridors to safely export through the Black Sea the tonnes of grain that remain blocked in Ukrainian ports.

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