National
Digital Desk: Ministers
and diplomats confirmed on Tuesday that Ukraine will become an official
candidate for European Union membership on Thursday, a symbolic but
morale-boosting move in the aftermath of Russia's invasion.
"Times New Roman";color:#424242">Last week's recommendation by the European
Commission, the EU executive, is anticipated to be approved by EU leaders in
Brussels. Three diplomats told Reuters that after many days of internal EU
deliberations, no opposition had emerged among the 27 member states.
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"Times New Roman";color:#424242;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">Before a meeting
with other EU ministers, Luxembourg's foreign affairs minister Jean Asselborn
told reporters, "We are working towards the point where we remind (Russian
President Vladimir) Putin that Ukraine belongs to Europe, that we will also
defend the ideals that Ukraine supports."
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"Times New Roman";color:#424242">Moldova is also almost set to be granted
candidate status, according to diplomats, though Georgia must meet certain
criteria, including resolving the country's political impasse.
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"Times New Roman";color:#424242">Despite some reservations among northern EU
nations that admitting Ukraine, which suffers from widespread corruption, is
impossible, Denmark's foreign minister welcomed the country's candidacy.
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"Times New Roman";color:#424242">"It's extremely good," Jeppe Kofod
told reporters in Luxembourg. "It's something that Denmark wholeheartedly
supports; we want to assist Ukraine achieve its European ambition."
"Times New Roman";color:#424242">While the EU's candidacy marks a strategic
eastward turn in the wake of Russia's war in Ukraine, Kyiv's admission to the
group would likely take years, if at all.
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"Times New Roman";color:#424242">Ukraine already has a free trade pact with the
EU but applied to join days after Russia's invasion. Moscow says its
"special military operation" was partly necessitated by Western
encroachment into what it characterises as its rightful geographical sphere of
influence.
"Times New Roman";color:#424242">Putin has so far played down the issue of
Ukraine's EU membership.
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