As we explained to you previously, joining the European Union does not happen (at all) in a snap of the fingers. Ukraine was confirmed on Thursday. While Kiev had submitted an application in the hope of joining the EU “without delay”, the heads of state and government of the member countries, meeting at a summit in Versailles, rejected this request. “There is no quick procedure,” said Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
“Can we now open an accession procedure with a country at war? I do not believe that. Should we close the door and say never? It would be unfair”, summed up Emmanuel Macron, who holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU and received his guests in the prestigious setting of the Château de Versailles.
Promise of closer ties
“Without delay, we will further strengthen our ties and deepen our partnership to support Ukraine on its European journey. Ukraine is part of our European family,” the leaders finally proclaimed in a written statement.
Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa did not hide the divisions between those “who think that (…) Ukrainians are fighting for their lives and deserve a strong political message (…) and those who are still debating procedures”. Central European countries, led by Poland, want to speed up the recognition of Ukraine’s candidacy.
