Ukraine and Moldova were officially granted the European Union candidate status after the 27-country bloc approved the decision during a summit in Brussels today, Thursday.
European Council President Charles Michel described the event as "a historic moment," adding: "Today marks a crucial step on your path towards the EU."
Therefore, Michel congratulated the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Moldovan President Maia Sandu, asserting: "our future is together."
On his side, Zelenskyy praised the decision during the summit as he joined the session virtually, saying: "Ukraine's future is within the EU."
While Sandu said: "An unequivocal and strong signal of support for our citizens and Moldova's European future."
The recommendation of calling Ukraine, and Moldova as EU candidates was announced by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday, and it will be discussed by leaders of the bloc at next week’s summit next week in Brussels, last week.
President Volodymyr Zelensky obtained support from the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, and Romania on Thursday to grant Ukraine candidate status in the European Union, while also pressing them to provide more weaponry and impose tighter sanctions on Russia.
France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Olaf Scholz, Italy’s Mario Draghi, and Romania’s Klaus Iohannis declared Ukraine belonged in the “European family” during their first visit to the capital since Russia’s invasion on February 24.
Ukraine has urged the EU to provide a road to membership, but the EU’s 27-member bloc has expressed reservations. The meeting took place just one day before the European Commission is set to offer a recommendation on Ukraine’s candidacy for membership in the EU.
Following prior denials that he was soft on Russia, Macron stated that the West would not demand any concessions from Ukraine and that the parameters of any peace talks would be determined by Kyiv.
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