The decision came at the end of an all-day summit attended by the EU’s 27 heads of state with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy participating remotely.
Charles Michel, President of the European Council made the announcement. Candidate status was also approved for Moldova.
In an emotional address following the decision, Zelenskyy thanked each of the EU’s 27 member states and their leaders, individually, starting with the Baltic countries:
“Lithuania stands for us. Thank you, Mr. President! . . . Latvia stands for us. Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister! . . . Estonia stands for us. Thank you, Mrs. Prime Minister Kallas!,” and he continued until all were named. → www.president.gov.ua/...
Zelensky also graciously thanked Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament,: “You were the first to support Ukraine's candidate status the day after our application,” Charles Michel, President of the European Council: “dear Charles,” and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission: “dear Ursula, I am grateful to you both . . .”
Zelensky went on to say:
“Today you have adopted one of the most important decisions for Ukraine in all 30 years of independence of our state.
However, I believe this decision is not only for Ukraine. This is the biggest step towards strengthening Europe that could be taken right now, in our time and in such difficult conditions, when the Russian war is testing our ability to preserve freedom and unity.” → www.president.gov.ua/…