The European Council granted Ukraine the status of a candidate for EU membership. This decision was unanimously supported by all EU leaders during the summit in Brussels on 23 June. President of the European Council Charles Michel said this on Twitter.
"The European Council has just decided to grant EU candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova. A historic moment. Today marks a decisive step on your path to the EU. My congratulations to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Moldovan President Maia Sandu and to the peoples of Ukraine and Moldova," he said.
In addition, EU leaders have recognized Georgia's European perspective and are ready to grant candidate status as soon as priority issues are resolved.
"I congratulate the Georgian people. This is a historic moment in EU-Georgia relations: Georgia's future is linked to the EU," Michel added.
Agreement. #EUCO has just decided EU candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova.
— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) June 23, 2022
A historic moment.
Today marks a crucial step on your path towards the EU.
Congratulations @ZelenskyyUa and @sandumaiamd and the people of Ukraine and
Our future is together.
President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted to the news of the status in his Twitter.
"I sincerely welcome the decision of the EU leaders to grant Ukraine candidate status. This is a unique and historic moment in the relations between Ukraine and the EU," he said.
The president expressed his gratitude to the heads of the European Commission, the European Council, as well as the leaders of the EU member states.
Sincerely commend EU leaders’ decision at #EUCO to grant a candidate status. It’s a unique and historical moment in - relations. Grateful to @CharlesMichel, @vonderleyen and EU leaders for support. Ukraine’s future is within the EU. #EmbraceUkraine https://t.co/o6dJVmTQrn
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 23, 2022