Zelensky: Ukraine could become EU candidate within weeks

By: 3 years ago

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is seen on a screen as he participates remotely in a global event titled ‘Stand Up For Ukraine’ along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Polish President Andrzej Duda, at the Palace on the Isle in Royal Lazienki Park in Warsaw, Poland, April 9, 2022. REUTERS

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky formally submitted a completed questionnaire on European Union membership to an envoy on Monday and said he believed this step would lead to his country gaining candidate status within weeks.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen handed the questionnaire to Zelensky during a visit to Kyiv on April 8, pledging a speedier start to Ukraine’s bid to become a member of the EU following Russia’s invasion of the country.

Zelensky submitted the completed document to the EU’s envoy to Ukraine, footage released by his government of the meeting showed.

“We strongly believe that this procedure (granting of candidate status) will take place in the coming weeks and that it will be positive for the history of our people, given the price they paid on the path to independence and democracy,” the Ukrainian leader said during the meeting.

The deputy head of Zelensky’s office said earlier on Monday that he expected Ukraine would be granted candidate status in June during a scheduled meeting of the European Council, which comprises leaders of EU member states.

The European Commission, the EU executive body, will need to issue a recommendation on Ukraine’s compliance with the necessary membership criteria, he added.

As a candidate country, Ukraine would start negotiations on aligning its laws with the legal framework of the European Union.