Volodymyr Zelensky welcomes the symbolic but conditional move by the EU summit, which also gives the nod to tiny Moldova.
AdvertisementThe EU also gave candidate status to the tiny country of Moldova, another former Soviet republic that borders Ukraine.
The European Parliament endorsed Ukraine’s bid hours before the summit started, passing a resolution that called on EU governments to “move without delay”.“It will strengthen Ukraine, it will strengthen Europe. It is a decision for freedom and democracy and puts us on the right side of history,” European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said ahead of the final decision.
This is a great moment for Europe’s unity and for the defence of its basic values. The struggle for freedom goes on.In 2013, however, Mr Putin objected to Ukraine’s plans to sign an association agreement with the EU and pressured the Ukrainian president at the time to pull out at the last minute. This backfired by setting off mass protests that eventually ousted the president and ushered in leaders more eager than ever to bring Ukraine into the Western fold.
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