Baerbock: EU to Expand from Lisbon to Luhansk
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, during her visit to Kyiv for an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers, has stated that the European Union will soon expand its reach from Lisbon to Luhansk.
This announcement was reported by Deutsche Welle.
"The future of Ukraine lies within the European Union, in our community of freedom, and soon it will extend from Lisbon to Luhansk. With each village, with every meter that Ukraine liberates, with each meter where it saves its people, it also paves its path into the EU," mentioned the minister.
Baerbock assured that European friends and partners would support Ukraine on this journey. In this context, she also emphasized Ukraine's capability to implement remarkable reforms in the face of dreadful Russian aggression.
"These are things like changing legislation in the field of justice and media, but also those related to combating corruption, and we openly discuss this with our partners here in Ukraine, that together we can expand this path," added Baerbock.
The minister also noted the urgent need to bolster Ukraine's air defense against Russia's bombardment of its infrastructure.
"At present, we must intensify all our efforts even more to prepare Ukraine for this winter. When I was here in September, I clearly indicated that Ukraine needs a protective shield for the winter – a protective shield composed of air defense systems, as well as generators and strengthening of energy supply."
As reported by The Gaze, an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers is taking place in the Ukrainian capital today, which typically occurs in Brussels.
"Today, I am convening the EU foreign ministers in Kyiv, marking the first-ever meeting of all 27 member countries outside the EU. This is because Ukraine's future lies within the European Union," stated Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
It was also reported that the European Commission is likely to publish a report assessing Ukraine's success in implementing candidate recommendations on the last day of October.