Politico reported that senior EU officials are concerned about Turkish opposition leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's desire to intensify Turkey's EU accession talks.
This could complicate the very delicate debate on enlargement in the context of Ukraine's accession to the bloc. This is because some in Brussels, as well as in many EU capitals, are of the opinion that the price of accepting Ukraine, along with the Western Balkans, may be the need to make it clear that Turkey will never join the bloc.
“At some point, we will have to make it clear that Ukraine and the Western Balkans is the last enlargement. It is inconceivable that the EU would be able to absorb both Turkey and Ukraine. The market won’t bear it,” the publication noted, citing its source.
It is noted that EU leaders would publicly welcome Kılıçdaroğlu as president if he wins. They would also support his reform program and express a desire to work with him more constructively. But the war in Ukraine has made Turkey less of a priority for the EU.
During a meeting with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Italian President Sergio Mattarella said he supports Ukraine's accession to the European Union as soon as possible.