French minister: Ukraine will take ’15 or 20 years’ to join the EU

French Minister for European Affairs Clement Beaune – Photo: AFP

“We have to be honest. To say that Ukraine will join the EU in six months or one or two years would be a lie. It would take about 15 or 20 years, which will take a long time,” Mr. Beaune said. .

According to AFP news agency, Mr. Beaune gave the above candid answer to Radio J on May 22.

“I don’t want to give Ukrainians any illusions or lies,” Mr. Beaune said.

The French minister also reiterated French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal to create a broader “European political community”, so that countries outside the EU like Ukraine can share “core values”. of Europe”.

On May 21, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky objected to “such compromises” and affirmed that it was necessary to immediately begin the process of bringing Ukraine into full membership of the EU.

In this regard, Mr. Beaune said Mr. Macron’s proposal was not “an alternative to joining the current European political community (ie the EU). It does not prevent progress towards status.” members later”.

Under Mr Macron’s plan, Mr. Beaune said, Ukraine “could benefit from the European budget to rebuild and restore its country, society and economy”.

According to AFP, other EU leaders also showed little interest in quickly welcoming Ukraine.

Macron’s “European political community” initiative will be debated at an EU summit at the end of June.

On April 17, Deputy Chief of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Ihor Zhovkva, said that Kiev had completed the necessary questionnaire for the EU to consider and decide on membership for this country.

Becoming an EU member means a lot to Ukraine.

A provision in the EU treaty states that if one member becomes the subject of armed aggression, other EU states are obligated to aid and assist in any way they can.