Putting an end to the war in Ukraine is the EU’s chief concern at present, but Kiev’s bid to join the bloc will be reviewed by member states, Brussels has announced, as Russia’s armed forces continue to attack the Eastern European nation.
Speaking at a press conference in Bucharest on Thursday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen weighed in on the former Soviet republic’s application to join the ranks of the 27-member bloc, as well as Georgia and Moldova’s own efforts to obtain candidate status.
“There is no doubt that the brave people who defend our values with their lives belong in the European family. Indeed, [Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky] sent a letter [of] application, [and] by that, he has set a process in motion.”
She added that the matter would be “discussed with member states,” but insisted that, right now, the focus was on “ending this horrible war.”