Roberta Metsola promised to help Kyiv on this "difficult path," but the final decision will also rest with EU members.

The EU will "walk shoulder to shoulder" with Ukraine on its way to membership in the bloc, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola told the Ukrainian parliament on Thursday.

Speaking by video link to the Rada, Metsola celebrated Ukraine's first "Statehood Day," a state holiday opened last year to mark 30 years of independence from the Soviet Union. This year, the day took on special significance amid Russia's destructive war in the country.

"Today is symbolic not only for Ukraine and for Ukrainians, but for all of Europe," Metsola said.

Metsola's remarks came just over a month after the EU granted Ukraine candidate status, a key step toward membership. But Ukraine's path to joining the 27-nation bloc is still murky and likely to take years.

"The June 23 granting of candidate status to Ukraine confirms our willingness to walk side by side toward your full EU membership," Metsola said. "It may not be an easy path, but the European Parliament, your strongest advocate, is ready to help you every step of the way."

Ultimately, of course, the final decision on Ukraine's EU membership will be made by each country in the bloc, not just the European Parliament.

Metsola was the first head of a major EU institution to visit Ukraine since the war with Russia began. He traveled in April to promote EU financial, military and humanitarian aid to Kiev. The Maltese politician has headed the European Parliament since January.

Earlier this week, the European Investment Bank also approved a €1.59 billion loan for Ukraine to help rebuild infrastructure and fund humanitarian aid.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky singled out Ukraine's Statehood Day in a speech Thursday, saying that "Statehood Day is every day," as they defend the country from Russian aggression.

"All stages of the history of Ukrainian statehood can be described by one phrase: 'We existed, existed and will exist,'" he said.