EU Parliament President Supports Ukraine's Application for Bloc's Membership

On Saturday, the president of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola said that Ukraine should be allowed to start EU membership regulations this year.

Metsola said, during her visit to Ukraine: "I am hopeful that accession negotiations can begin already this year," adding: "Ukraine's future is in the European Union."

Brussels granted Kyiv formal candidate status last June, after the beginning of the Russian military operations in Ukraine.

The final decision of EU membership will depend on the member state governments.

The EU Parliament President said after meeting the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky: "The pace with which the Verkhovna Rada and the government is making progress on the EU application impresses me."

On his side, Zelensky thanked Metsola for her role in supporting Ukraine's stand for the EU membership application. 

He said: "Ukraine aims to complete the implementation of the recommendations of the European Commission as soon as possible and to start negotiations on joining the EU already this year."