BRUSSELS: European Union leaders have formally granted Ukraine candidate status during their two-day summit in Brussels. Despite initially strong opposition to Ukraine’s membership in the EU, the leaders of the 27 EU countries unanimously approved the candidacy, which became a historic declaration. However, this news is unlikely to be digested by Russia.
EU leaders also granted candidate status to Moldova. They agreed to offer Georgia a “European perspective” but have to wait to become a candidate.
President of the European Council Charles Michel, tweeted that this is a historic moment. The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said the EU leaders’ decision “strengthens us all”. Ms von der Leyen said “Today is a good day for Europe,” and added that “all candidate countries “have work to do before moving to the next stage of the process”.
Last week, the European Commission recommended that Ukraine should be granted candidate status. Ms von der Leyen said that Ukraine had “already implemented roughly 70% of rules, norms and standards.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin described the meeting as “very significant” and also that he is “particularly pleased as a longstanding advocate for Ukraine’s application to candidate status to become members of the European Union.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he “sincerely commended” the leaders for their decision. In a post on Twitter, he called it a “unique and historic moment” in relations between the EU and Ukraine. He added that “Ukraine’s future is within the EU.”