Ukrainian FM: EU split on prospect of granting candidate country status to Ukraine

KYIV. May 19 (Interfax-Ukraine) - There is no difference between words and deeds in the European Union when it comes to weapons and sanctions, but, at the same time, EU members are divided as regards granting EU candidate country status to Ukraine, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.

"We do not see any difference between words and deeds when it comes to weapons and sanctions, but we do see this difference when it comes to the status of a European Union candidate country. We have been hearing for three months that Ukraine belongs to Europe, that we are courageously defending European values. But there is no political recognition of it! So we ask ourselves how sincere these wonderful words are," Kuleba said in an interview with the Dutch newspaper NRC.

"Skeptics do exist. But Europe has changed, and the EU countries have no rational argument to justify the denial of candidate status for Ukraine. This status will only mean recognition that the country has a clearly defined place in the European integration project," the minister said.

"This is a political signal that does not mean automatic membership," and, therefore, those who say that Ukraine "is not ready for the EU" and do not take this step manipulate public opinion, Kuleba said.

"We are not saying that we want to join the EU tomorrow. But, by giving us candidate country status, you will help us overcome existing problems, including corruption, and develop our country in a way that will make us even stronger," he said.

Kuleba on Thursday again spoke in favor of Ukraine's accession to the EU.

"Strategic ambiguity on Ukraine's European perspective practiced by some EU capitals in the past years has failed and must end. We do not need surrogates for EU candidate status that show second-class treatment of Ukraine and hurt feelings of Ukrainians," Kuleba said on social media.