EU Leaders Snub Ukraine's Quest to Join

European Union leaders gathered for talks, on Thursday, in France's historic Versailles Palace and discussed the bloc's relationship with Ukraine.

The EU leaders had different views on how far to go with economic sanctions imposed on Russia, and whether or not to let Kyiv join their bloc swiftly.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has sent more than 2 million refugees fleeing to the EU, which has slapped unprecedented sanctions on Russia and offered political and humanitarian support to Ukraine, as well as some arms supplies.“We want a free and democratic Ukraine with whom we share a common destiny,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a show of sympathy and moral support.

But other leaders made clear Ukraine would not be allowed to join their wealthy club quickly, something Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sought and which has some support from Ukraine’s neighbors on the EU’s eastern flank.

“There is no fast-track procedure,” said Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, a key opponent of EU enlargement.

On his part, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stressed that the EU must deepen its partnership with Ukraine rather than speak of membership, which would require the unanimity of all the 27 member countries.

In the same vein, Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins asserted that tougher sanctions should be imposed on Russia.

“We have to stop this,” Karins told reporters. “Ukraine is fighting our fight, they are fighting the military fight. We must supply them in every possible way.”

“With sanctions, we should go much faster and much further.”