Ukraine’s candidacy: an “internal European affair”, according to Moscow

Lhe Kremlin described on Friday as an “internal affair in Europe” the decision of the Twenty-Seven to grant Ukraine and Moldova the status of candidate for the EU, in the midst of a Russian offensive in its Ukrainian neighbor. “This is an internal European affair,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the press, while stressing that it is “important” for Moscow that “all these processes do not bring more problems with Russia and […] in the relations of these countries with Russia”.

He also said he hoped that this would not lead to a deterioration of relations between Moscow and Brussels, which are currently at such a low level “that it is very difficult to deteriorate them further”.

A long and complex process

Dmitri Peskov also denounced Moldova’s desire “to become more European than the Europeans themselves”. He also recalled that Turkey, which has been a candidate for the EU for twenty years, “has never been able to advance further”. “But at the same time, it has become a sovereign and independent country. »

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The leaders of the Twenty-Seven recognized Thursday, during a summit, Ukraine and Moldova the status of candidate to the EU. This decision marks the start of a long and complex process towards accession. Georgia, which also wants to join the EU, will still have to make reforms to obtain this status. A vast demonstration of support for the European aspirations of this Caucasian country is planned for Friday evening in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi.

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