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Olaf Scholz, Federal Chancellor
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Ukraine belongs to the European family.
A milestone on its European path, which is full of prerequisites, is the status of a candidate country.
The member states of the European Union will discuss this in the next few days.
We know - it needs unanimity among the 27 EU countries.
At the European Council, I will campaign for a unified opinion: Germany is in favor of a positive decision in favor of Ukraine.
This also applies to the Republic of Moldova.«
Now Chancellor Olaf Scholz has traveled to Kyiv after all.
The expectations of the solidarity visit were high - and were at least partially fulfilled.
Aleksandar Sarovic, THE MIRROR
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Scholz, Macron, Draghi and the Romanian head of state Johannis have sent a sign of solidarity by supporting Ukraine's EU candidacy.
The leadership here in Kyiv took the same view.
President Selenskyj, who had severely criticized Chancellor Scholz in the run-up to this meeting, was satisfied with today's meeting.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine
“Russia does not choose who it threatens, when, and who it grants security in Europe. Russian aggression against Ukraine is aggression against all of Europe, against united Europe, against each of us, against our values. Our response must be consistent.«
Aleksandar Sarovic, THE MIRROR
And Foreign Minister Kuleba told us earlier that Ukrainians see this step as an incentive to continue their reform process
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At the same time, it is clear that this is only a first step.
There are a number of member states that have reservations about Ukraine's EU membership and the heads of state and government who were here in Kyiv today will have a lot of mediation work to do.”
There was disappointment and criticism of Scholz elsewhere.
While Macron promised Ukraine to deliver six more howitzers, Scholz was not specific.
Aleksandar Sarovic, THE MIRROR
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On another point, the Ukrainians will not give up, that is the issue of arms supplies.
They had also shown dissatisfaction in the run-up to this meeting, also with the German role.
They need weapons, the Ukrainians need weapons, heavy weapons if they want to push back the Russians in the east and south of the country, and they also need them from Germany.«
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine
“We appreciate the support already provided by our partners and expect new deliveries, primarily heavy weapons, modern rocket artillery, missile defense systems and others. Every delivery means saved Ukrainians. Every day that decisions are delayed is an opportunity for the Russian military to kill Ukrainians or destroy our cities. There is a direct correlation: the more powerful weapons we get, the faster we can liberate our people and our country. The Ukrainian people are waiting for the liberation of our territory, the territory of Ukraine.«
Aleksandar Sarovic, THE MIRROR
“But Chancellor Scholz made no concrete commitments today that went beyond what has already been promised.
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