The European Union (EU) leaders on 23rd June unanimously agreed to grant ‘candidate status’ to Ukraine and Moldova. Comes off as a bold geopolitical move and a “historic moment” for the EU.
Candidate status is the first step towards membership of the European Union. Ukraine could take years or decades to join. However, the decision highlights the intention of the European Union to reach deep into the former Soviet Union.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, showed his gratitude in a tweet, mentioning that “Ukraine’s future is within the European Union.”
Sincerely commend EU leaders’ decision at #EUCO to grant 🇺🇦 a candidate status. It’s a unique and historical moment in 🇺🇦-🇪🇺 relations. Grateful to @CharlesMichel, @vonderleyen and EU leaders for support. Ukraine’s future is within the EU. #EmbraceUkraine https://t.co/o6dJVmTQrn
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 23, 2022
“The Ukrainian people belong to the European family. Ukraine’s future is within the European Union,” Joseph Borrell, the foreign policy chief of the bloc, said.
“Today marks the beginning of a long journey that we will walk together,” he added.
Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, implying to show support in the face of Russia’s war, said, “We owe it to the Ukrainian people who are fighting to defend our values, their sovereignty and their territorial integrity.”
Additionally, the neighboring country of Moldova, which borders Ukraine, was also granted candidate status by the European Union at the same meeting in Brussels on Thursday.
Another ex-Soviet state, Georgia, was told that it would get candidate status once it fulfilled certain conditions.
European Union Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen mentioned in a news conference, “I am convinced that they (Ukraine and Moldova) will move as swiftly as possible and work as hard as possible to implement the necessary reforms.” (Reuters)
Georgia further reacted by saying that it was determined to initiate the steps required to qualify.