From BZ/dpa
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz has advocated granting Ukraine and its small neighboring Republic of Moldova the status of EU accession candidates.
“Germany is for a positive decision in favor of Ukraine. That also applies to the Republic of Moldova,” said the SPD politician at a press conference in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on Thursday. “Ukraine is part of the European family,” he added.
“EU candidate status could be a historic decision for Europe,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a press conference with Scholz and, among others, French President Emmanuel Macron. “Friends, we really appreciate that you are with us today, on the eve of historic decisions.”
Selenskyj also particularly emphasized Scholz’s visit. Weapons would be delivered, including those requested. “Germany is helping us a lot here,” he said. “Yes, I am convinced that the entire German people support Ukraine.”
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis also traveled to the Ukrainian capital for the meeting with Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy thanked for the support and called for a seventh package of sanctions against Russia to further pressure the country to end the war.
Shortly before the press conference, there was an air alert for the second time after the arrival of the guests from the EU. “The air raid sirens show that Russia does not choose who and when to attack,” said Zelenskyy. The total number of missiles fired by Russia at Ukraine this month is already approaching 3,000.
Russia should not determine who it threatens, the president warned. “Russian aggression is aggression against the whole of Europe, against each one of us, against our common values,” said Zelenskyy. Ukraine does not feel left alone in its struggle. But: “We expect new deliveries of mainly heavy weapons, modern rocket launchers, missile defense and so on. Every day of delaying this decision allows Russian soldiers to murder Ukrainians.”
Zelenskyj also criticized the fact that Russia was blocking Ukrainian ports and preventing the export of grain, thus causing a food crisis. Everything must be done to ensure that Russia does not trigger hunger and political chaos in Africa and Asia.
