Eu Membership

EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen was in Kyiv Thursday for her first visit to Ukraine since the war-scarred country became a candidate for bloc membership, angering Moscow.

EU ministers on Tuesday backed granting war-torn Ukraine "candidate status" to join the bloc, ahead of a summit expected to formally greenlight the move later this week, France's EU minister said.

Ukraine is set to become an official candidate for European Union membership on Thursday in a symbolic but morale-boosting decision following Russia's invasion, ministers and diplomats said on Tuesday.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky warned Sunday that Russia was likely to intensify its "hostile activity" this week, as Kyiv awaits a historic decision from the European Union on its membership application.

Russia has "nothing against" Ukraine's possible membership of the European Union, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday after the European Commission recommended granting Kyiv candidate status of the 27-member bloc.

Russia's foreign ministry on Friday accused Brussels of "manipulating" Ukraine after the EU Commission recommended the pro-Western country be granted candidate status for joining the 27-nation bloc.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday praised a decision from the European Commission to give its backing for Kyiv to be granted EU candidacy status, nearly four months into Russia's invasion of the country.

The European Commission on Friday recommended war-torn Ukraine be formally named a "candidate" for joining the EU, a move that could open up a years-long path towards joining the bloc.

Ukraine's bid to become a candidate to join the European Union (EU)will get a clear signal next week, the bloc's chief Ursula von der Leyen said Saturday on a surprise visit to Kyiv.

A bid by Ukraine to join the European Union could not be finalised for "15 or 20 years," France's Europe minister Clement Beaune said on Sunday.

Ukraine's bid to join the EU cannot be sped up despite the country's invasion by Russia, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Thursday.

The foreign minister of Austria said his country would retain its neutral status even as EU allies Sweden and Finland overhauled decades-long foreign policy stances to apply for NATO membership in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

EU leaders had gathered in France to discuss the Ukraine crisis caused due to Russia's invasion.

Ukraine's future lies inside the European Union and the country should become a member as soon as possible, the deputy head of the EU Commission said on Friday.

The EU on Monday poured cold water on a plea from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for "immediate" membership to the bloc for his country as Kyiv battled a Russian invasion.

EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen was in Kyiv Thursday for her first visit to Ukraine since the war-scarred country became a candidate for bloc membership, angering Moscow.

EU ministers on Tuesday backed granting war-torn Ukraine "candidate status" to join the bloc, ahead of a summit expected to formally greenlight the move later this week, France's EU minister said.

Ukraine is set to become an official candidate for European Union membership on Thursday in a symbolic but morale-boosting decision following Russia's invasion, ministers and diplomats said on Tuesday.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky warned Sunday that Russia was likely to intensify its "hostile activity" this week, as Kyiv awaits a historic decision from the European Union on its membership application.

Russia has "nothing against" Ukraine's possible membership of the European Union, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday after the European Commission recommended granting Kyiv candidate status of the 27-member bloc.

Russia's foreign ministry on Friday accused Brussels of "manipulating" Ukraine after the EU Commission recommended the pro-Western country be granted candidate status for joining the 27-nation bloc.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday praised a decision from the European Commission to give its backing for Kyiv to be granted EU candidacy status, nearly four months into Russia's invasion of the country.

The European Commission on Friday recommended war-torn Ukraine be formally named a "candidate" for joining the EU, a move that could open up a years-long path towards joining the bloc.

Ukraine's bid to become a candidate to join the European Union (EU)will get a clear signal next week, the bloc's chief Ursula von der Leyen said Saturday on a surprise visit to Kyiv.

A bid by Ukraine to join the European Union could not be finalised for "15 or 20 years," France's Europe minister Clement Beaune said on Sunday.

Ukraine's bid to join the EU cannot be sped up despite the country's invasion by Russia, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Thursday.

The foreign minister of Austria said his country would retain its neutral status even as EU allies Sweden and Finland overhauled decades-long foreign policy stances to apply for NATO membership in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

EU leaders had gathered in France to discuss the Ukraine crisis caused due to Russia's invasion.

Ukraine's future lies inside the European Union and the country should become a member as soon as possible, the deputy head of the EU Commission said on Friday.

The EU on Monday poured cold water on a plea from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for "immediate" membership to the bloc for his country as Kyiv battled a Russian invasion.