The European Commission proposes that Ukraine be given a "European perspective" and status as a candidate country for the EU.
This was stated by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, at a press conference in Brussels.
Moldova is also proposed for candidate status.
- Ukraine has clearly shown a determination to live up to European norms and standards, she says.
But the country has a long way to go to be accepted as an EU member and needs to introduce some reforms, von der Leyen pointed out.
- There is still some work to be done on the issue of the rule of law, oligarchs, anti-corruption and fundamental rights, says Ursula von der Leyen.
Sweden's Foreign Minister Ann Linde (S) announced this morning that Sweden, with certain reservations, is behind candidate status for both Ukraine and Moldova.
- It is a very important signal to Ukraine, she says.
Macron and Scholz in Kyiv
On Thursday, Germany's Olaf Scholz and France's Emmanuel Macron, among others, visited Kyiv to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In addition to promising more weapons, they expressed their support for Ukraine's EU application.
The four of us support an immediate candidate status for membership.
The status will be accompanied by a roadmap to take into account the situation in the Balkans and in surrounding countries, especially Moldova, Macron said.
It is required that all EU member states say yes to candidate status in order for accession negotiations to begin.
Decisions from all EU countries are expected to be taken during the summit in Brussels next week.