Michel: EU will consider Ukraine’s application for membership when the “best moment” comes

The President of the European Council Charles Michel believes that it is necessary to wait for the "best moment" to include consideration of Ukraine's application for membership  in the agenda for the leaders of the European Union 

He stated this in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

"In the Council, I will be obliged to assess when we are ready to include this topic on the agenda of the European Council.

I will consult with all parties to assess when the best time will come and we will be ready to hold this debate at the Council of Europe level …

Whether it will be in June or later, I cannot say today," said the President of the European Council.

At the same time, Michel noted that Ukraine's application was already undergoing all necessary procedures at an accelerated pace.

"In fact, a few days after we received the application, we quickly made a decision, instructing the European Commission to provide its conclusions. It usually takes 8-9 months. The de facto decision was made in a few days," said Michel.

The President of the European Council was asked whether a situation was possible where Ukraine would be granted membership before all the necessary reforms are carried out.

"Obviously, this is a process based on reforms, because the issue of membership is related to a common approach to the fundamental elements. It is the rule of law, independence of justice, anti-corruption, single market, economic reforms," ​​said Michel.

To recap, Michel is for confiscating the assets of russians under sanctions to further use them to compensate for the damage caused by russia in the war against Ukraine.

As Rubryka reported, by the end of June the European Commission should announce the first conclusions on the candidate status for Ukraine, after which this issue will be included in the agenda of the European Council.

"By the end of June, the first interim conclusions will be announced, and we can put this on the agenda of the European Council so that there is a political discussion so that there is a dialogue so that there is progress," he said.