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Turkey points fingers at Ukraine in fresh push for EU membership — Analysis

President Erdogan urged the bloc to show the same “sensitivity” it demonstrated for Ukraine

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called upon the EU to show the “same sensitivity” for the country’s membership aspirations it demonstrated for Ukraine, which has been hit by Russia’s large-scale attack.

“We appreciate the efforts to get Ukraine into the EU. These EU members need to hear my opinion: Are you still concerned about Turkey being accepted into the EU? Show the same sensitivity for Turkey as you do about Ukraine,”Erdogan spoke Tuesday.

If someone attacks you, are you willing to put Turkey on the agenda? [us] too?

In the midst of last Thursday’s war in Ukraine Kiev has been reaffirming their desire for EU membership. Volodymyr Ziensky, Ukraine’s President, submitted a formal bid for EU membership Monday. Zelensky urged the bloc to allow the country into its fold as quickly as possible. However, top EU officials have warned that the process of ascension could be slow. “years” Ukraine

Zelensky, speaking at the European Parliament that day, stated that the EU would soon be a “global organization”. “stronger”Ukraine: Request the MEPs “prove”They are European enough. Turkey’s Erdogan said he was highly impressed with the speech of his Ukrainian counterpart.

“We applaud Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the European Parliament. That was very good,”He stated.

EU ‘stronger’ with Ukraine – Zelensky

Turkey’s long-held ambition to join the EU has been realized. The country launched its application back in 1987. It was a difficult process that saw Turkey only achieve formal candidate status in 1999. Ankara, which has failed to meet the financial and political requirements of the bloc in order to become full-fledged members, has made little progress since.

The ascension negotiations have been stalled since 2016, with Turkey-EU ties gradually deteriorating over Ankara’s crackdown following the botched coup d’état attempt and tensions over migrant influx.

Erdogan took aim at the continuing inflow of foreign military assistance to Ukraine and noted that Turkey is part NATO. He also wondered if it would be receiving such weaponsry. “Why don’t you give the military equipment needed by Turkey?”He stated.

Multiple western countries have supplied Ukraine with assorted weaponry lately, with more pledging to deliver amid Russia’s attack. Moscow said the operation was the only option left to protect the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Lugansk in Ukraine’s east from attacks by Kiev. The attack was deemed unprovoked by the Ukrainian authorities, who claimed that they did not intend to forcefully retake the republics which split following the 2014 Maidan events.

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