Germany voices strong support for Ukraine’s EU membership

BERLIN (AA) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has voiced strong support for Ukraine’s EU membership bid on Wednesday, saying the country’s future lies within “free Europe.”

In a video message marking Ukraine’s Independence Day, Scholz said Germany stands firmly by Ukraine’s side in the war with Russia.

“What defines us as Europe – freedom, the rule of law, pluralism and democracy – all of them are defended in Ukraine today,” he said.

Scholz recalled that the EU leaders approved Ukraine’s candidate country status during their summit in June.

“Yes, the future of Ukraine lies within this free Europe, and indeed as a member of the European Union,” he stressed.

“Europe, united in freedom and democracy, is much stronger than Russia’s backward-looking imperialism,” he said.

Scholz also announced that the EU and Germany will host an international conference in Berlin in October to mobilize resources for the reconstruction of Ukraine.