German Chancellor Olaf Scholz closed his doors to Kiev, stating that it was not possible for Ukraine to become a member of the European Union (EU) in a short way. Reacting to Scholz’s remarks, Ukraine claimed that Europe was treating them “second-class.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks to the German parliament on the war in Ukraine ahead of the EU summit. Describing the war in Ukraine as the biggest crisis in the EU’s history, Scholz said Ukraine’s EU accession goal could not be accelerated despite the country’s occupation by Russia, adding that the bloc needed to find a “quick and pragmatic” way to help Kiev.
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NO WAY TO CUT! OTHER COUNTRIES WOULD BE UNFAIR
“There are no shortcuts on the road to the EU,” Scholz said, adding that it would be unfair to the Western Balkan countries that also want membership, adding that the introduction of an exception to Ukraine would be a matter of several months or years. statements.
SCHOLZ DESCRIBED AS ‘WEAK AND OVERLY CAUTIOUS’
The German chancellor was expected to use his speech to outline his policy surrounding the conflict, which has been going on for nearly three months.
While Germany has come under fire for failing to react harshly enough to the war in Ukraine and delaying sending heavy weapons to Kiev, many describe Chancellor Scholz as weak and overly cautious.
Scholz, who has not yet visited Kiev unlike many European leaders, faces harsh reactions not only in Europe but also in his own country.
“A TURNING POINT IN HISTORY”
Explaining that they support Ukraine despite all the criticism coming to him and his country, Scholz said, “We all share one goal, Russia should not win this war, Ukraine should win.”
Describing the Ukrainian war as “a turning point in history”, Scholz pointed out that EU countries will overcome it with solidarity as in other crises and said, “Germany is helping Ukraine for this reason, which is why it accepts Ukrainian refugees.”
IMMEDIATE REACTION FROM UKRAINE: SECOND CLASS VISION MUST END
The reaction to Scholz’s statement from the Ukrainian front was not delayed. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba criticized Scholz’s statements, claiming his country had been treated “second-class.”
“The strategic uncertainty applied to Ukraine’s European perspective by some EU countries in recent years has failed. This must end.”
Noting that the treatment of Ukraine hurt the Ukrainian people, Kuleba said it only emboldened Russian President Vladimir Putin more.
UNENDING TENSION BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES
Tensions between Germany and Ukraine have been rising since the first weeks of the war.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s planned visit to the Ukrainian capital Kiev was rejected by Ukrainian President Zelensky. Steinmeier said, “I was ready for this visit. But I have to admit, I was not wanted in Kiev,” German Chancellor Scholz said, describing Kiev’s move as “disturbing” and saying he was not planning a visit to Ukraine in the near future.
German media claimed that the Scholz administration had deliberately delayed the shipment of weapons to Ukraine, and the government approved the delivery of Gepard anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine after these reports.
