Baerbock: It Would Be Cynical to Deny Ukraine and Moldova Candidate Status

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany Annalena Baerbock said that it would be cynical for the European Union not to grant candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova because of their inability to overcome internal challenges. This was stated by Baerbock ahead of the meeting of the EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, eurointegration.com.ua informed. The EU has always grown in difficult situations, she said, and it needs leadership to support Ukraine along with Moldova on this path to the EU. “In my opinion, it would be absolutely cynical to say to Ukraine and Moldova now: could you please stand outside the door before we solve all our homework. We’re at the point now where we need to decide,” Baerbock said. She added that the EU now faces a historic moment, and in the context of the bloc’s enlargement, one must take reality into account rather than blindly follow theory. “I am convinced that we now have a responsibility not only to make it clear to Ukraine: you are part of Europe, we are grateful for your protection of European values. And we must accept it into our European circle. It is logical that this is a difficult process, but now we should not use a mechanical thoughtless process, but we should use this historical moment,” said Baerbock, adding that Moldova is in a similar situation. Point