Internal Conflict Jeopardizes Ukraine's EU Aspirations – Martin Schulz

It is ‘incredibly’ difficult to say when Ukraine will be in a position to join the European Union, President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz said Monday.

KIEV (Sputnik) — The European Union is an open bloc but determined prospects of EU membership are jeopardized by even the possibility of serious internal problems in a country aspiring to join the bloc, the politician told the Ukrainian Evropeiska Pravda newspaper.

Ukraine has been in internal conflict since 2014 when Kiev launched a military operation against independence supporters in the east of the country.

Ukraine would be better served to focus on its current problems than on the prospects of EU membership, Schulz said.

In late 2013, Ukraine's then-President Viktor Yanukovych's decision not to sign an EU association deal sparked weeks-long riots, resulting in his ousting and subsequent flight to Russia.

The new Ukrainian government signed and ratified the agreement last year, providing partnership in the fields of regional conflict settlement as well as Ukraine's participation in exercises and training programs as part of EU civilian and military operations.

When speaking at the signing of the agreement, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko predicted Ukraine would become an EU member by 2025.