Ukraine and Moldova have been accepted as candidates for membership in the EU, paving the way for a multi-year process.
Ukraine’s ambition to join the European Union has cleared the first major hurdle, with the bloc’s leaders unanimously approving it as a candidate for membership. However, it may be a long time before it can meet the conditions for admission.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, tweeted that it was a historic moment and a “good day for Europe.”
“Your countries are part of our European family,” she wrote on Facebook.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described it as “one of the most important decisions” in the country’s independent history.
He also called it the “biggest step toward strengthening Europe that could be taken right now,” and thanked each EU leader individually in a statement.
The move is likely to enrage Russia, which has long opposed Ukraine joining and integrating with the West.
Ukraine applied less than a week after being invaded in February, and its application has been expedited.
The move was approved by EU leaders at a special summit in Brussels.
According to Ms von der Leyen, the decision “fortifies Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia in the face of Russian imperialism.”
And it strengthens the EU,” she added, “because it demonstrates to the world once again that we are united and strong in the face of external threats.
Moldova’s president, Maia Sandu, also hailed the event as historic for her small landlocked country, which borders Ukraine.
She predicted a “difficult road,” but added that it would bring “more prosperity, more opportunities, and more order.” The country is one of Europe’s poorest.
Georgia is also on the path to becoming a candidate.
Former Soviet state Georgia, according to European Council President Charles Michel, is also considering joining the union.
He stated that the council recognized “Georgia’s European perspective and is ready to grant candidate status once the outstanding priorities are addressed.”
“Congratulations to the people of Georgia. The EU-Georgia relationship has reached a watershed moment: Georgia’s future lies within the EU “he said.
Candidates must meet economic and political standards, as well as a commitment to the rule of law and other democratic principles.
Ukraine will need to reduce government corruption and implement other reforms.
It is unknown how long the procedure will take. Turkey, for example, was granted candidate status in 1999, but its application has been stalled due to various disputes.
Ms von der Leyen stated that the three countries “all have work to do before moving on to the next stage of the process,” but she is confident that “they will move quickly.”
When a country joins the EU, it is protected by a treaty provision requiring other members to assist if it is attacked.
Many Ukrainians have long hoped to break free from Moscow’s grip and join the EU.
The country’s Euromaidan protests in 2013-14 were sparked by former President Viktor Yanukovych’s refusal to sign a political association and free trade agreement with the EU.
Ukraine also wants to join NATO, which is separate from the EU, but that is currently a distant prospect, and President Vladimir Putin has demanded that Ukraine never be admitted to the military alliance.
