EU manipulating Ukraine with possibility of membership

MOSCOW, June 17 (AFP): Russia's foreign ministry on Friday accused Brussels of "manipulating" Ukraine after the EU Commission recommended the pro-Western country be granted candidate status for joining the 27-nation bloc.
"We see how for many years the Western community has been manipulating the idea of some kind of involvement of Ukraine in their integration structures," ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies. Ukraine, however, is getting "worse and worse," she added.
She said that Ukraine "is not getting a bright future, for some reason, despite the promises becoming more and more sweet and alluring".
The European Commi-ssion on Friday recommended that Ukraine, where Russia is conducting a military operation, and neighbouring Moldova each be named a "candidate" for joining the EU.
Formal "candidate" status for Ukraine could open up a years-long path towards joining the bloc, with the decision likely to be formalised at an EU leaders' summit in Brussels on June 23-24.
A Reuters report adds: The European Union (EU) gave its blessing on Friday for Ukraine and its neighbour Moldova to become candidates to join, in the most dramatic geopolitical shift to result from Russia's invasion.
"Ukrainians are ready to die for the European perspective," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told a news conference, wearing Ukrainian colours - a yellow blazer over a blue blouse. "We want them to live with us the European dream."
It was only the start of a process that could take many years, but it puts Kyiv on course to realise a goal that would have been far beyond its reach just months ago.