Von der Leyen Recommends Ukraine be Granted EU Membership

The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued an opinion, on Friday, recommending that Ukraine be granted European Union candidate status.

"Ukraine has clearly demonstrated its aspiration and determination to live up to European values and standards,"  von der Leyen said.

In another tweet, she wrote: "Ukrainians are ready to die for the European perspective. We want them to live with us the European dream."

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The decision paves the way for EU government leaders to sign off on the recommendation at a Brussels summit next Thursday and Friday.

On his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the Commission's decision on Twitter. "I commend the positive EU Commission conclusion on Ukraine's candidate status. It's the first step on the EU membership path that'll certainly bring our victory closer."

Zelenskyy went on to thank von der Leyen and the executive "for a historic decision." Kyiv has sought candidate status since 2014.

The Commission proposed making Moldova an EU membership candidate. The EU's executive said that this was premised on the understanding that the country would carry out reforms.

Von der Leyen said that Moldova  "is on a real pro-reform, anti-corruption, and European path," adding "It still has a long way to go. But we believe it has the potential to live up to the criteria."