Today at 16:23
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for the expansion of the European Union to include Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia in the bloc.
He stated this during a speech at Charles University in Prague.
In a speech entitled “Europe is our future”, he said that “we must use the influence of our united Europe much more”.
Scholz emphasized Germany’s commitment to EU enlargement, stressing that it is in the interests of the European Union.
“These days, the question arises again where the future dividing line will be between this free Europe and the neo-imperial autocracy,” he added.
He also called on the EU countries to “unite ranks, resolve old conflicts and find new solutions” and stated that Germany will support Kyiv “as much as necessary.”
Moreover, he suggested that Germany could help Ukraine build artillery and air defense forces in coordination with other Western allies.
Scholz noted that they had just agreed on a new package of military aid for Ukraine worth 600 million euros, and emphasized that support for Ukraine should be constant and stable.
“For example, Germany could prioritize support for the development of air defense and artillery of the Armed Forces… We must quickly agree on such a system of coordinated support, and for it to be… reliable, and, most importantly, last as long as necessary,” the federal chancellor said.
He said that, together with the Netherlands, Germany has already initiated the distribution of such work among all partners of Ukraine.
Scholz also spoke in favor of creating a joint air defense system with European neighbors, noting that it would contribute to common security and would be cheaper and more effective than if each country were to strengthen this direction separately.
Earlier, Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration said that negotiations on Ukraine’s membership in the European Union can begin in 2023.
