Scholz, Macron And Draghi Boost Ukraine’s EU Membership Bid

(Bloomberg) -- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi backed Ukraine's efforts to join the European Union, adding momentum and a show of support in the country's efforts to fend off Russia's invasion.

The leaders of the EU's three biggest economies condemned Moscow's attacks on Thursday after a joint visit to Kyiv. They were joined by Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, as a representative of the bloc's east, in the highest-profile delegation to visit Ukraine since Russia attacked at the end of February. 

The decision to give such strong support to Ukraine's EU candidacy marks a dramatic shift in tone for Germany and France. Macron suggested earlier that membership wouldn't happen in the near term and proposed the idea of a political alliance to include non-members, a proposal that angered Ukrainian officials.

“We all four support providing Ukraine EU candidacy status,” Macron said after a joint meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. “Europe is by your side, and will remain so until victory is achieved.”

Scholz echoed the sentiment, telling reporters in Kyiv that Germany wanted to see a positive decision in favor of Ukraine to become a candidate for membership. “Ukraine is part of the European family,” he said, adding that he also supported Moldova's bid.

The leaders called for investigations into alleged Russian war crimes, efforts to allow grain exports from Ukraine and arms shipments to Kyiv. Macron told reporters that France will deliver six additional Caesar self-propelled howitzers in addition to the 12 already transferred to Ukraine's military.

“The biggest message we want to send in this trip is that Italy wants Ukraine in the EU,” Draghi said. “Italy, France and Germany are here to give unconditional support to Ukraine.”

The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, is expected to recommend on Friday that Ukraine be granted candidate status, according to people familiar with the plans. The procedure is complicated by a variety of opinions among the 27 member states, who make the ultimate decision to push the process forward. 

Candidacy status, once granted, would formally begin the membership procedure, a process that includes an arduous set of steps and conditions that can normally last more than a decade. Croatia was the last country to join the bloc and its application process lasted 10 years before it was formally accepted in 2013.

“Granting EU candidate status to Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia at the next EU Council is key in building a strong and lasting shield around our values,” Iohannis said. 

Television footage broadcast by German and French channels showed the four leaders standing grim-faced in the streets of the heavily shelled Kyiv suburb of Irpin. Destroyed buildings were visible in the background as they were briefed by local authorities on the impact of attacks on civilians and infrastructure. They also stopped by a car allegedly destroyed by Russian gunfire and saw an exhibition of photos showing the destruction from the war.

“It's terrible what this war is causing in terms of destruction,” said Scholz. “It's even worse when you see how terribly senseless the violence we're seeing here is,” he said, adding that “we have to keep that in mind in everything we decide” from sanctions to rebuilding efforts. 

Russia's moves to further reduce gas supplies to Europe provides a difficult backdrop for the European leaders as they look to show support for Kyiv while insecurity grows at home. After Moscow tightened its squeeze on gas flows, benchmark futures surged as much as 24%, adding to a 46% rise already this week. 

Scholz and Macron in particular are grappling with what they see as the challenge of maintaining support for the government in Kyiv while formulating a realistic longer-term plan for how to deal with Russia when the war ends. They have faced criticism, especially from NATO and EU allies in the alliance's east, for engaging too closely with Russia's Vladimir Putin and not delivering weapons fast enough to defeat his invasion.

The German chancellor has had to deal with accusations at home and abroad that Germany, as Europe's richest economy, is failing to provide enough military equipment to support Ukraine's defense.

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