Since becoming a candidate in the European Union, Ukraine has demonstrated "significant progress" in its quest to join the EU. This was stated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in the European Parliament, The Guardian reports.

"We know that it is not easy. The right to join is given for certain achievements. It requires hard work and leadership. But we can already see great progress, we can see the serious successes that Ukraine has already achieved since then," the President of the European Commission emphasized, addressing MEPs.

She also emphasized that the EU's support for Ukraine will continue, including "the extension of special protection granted to Ukrainian citizens who fled the war unleashed by Russia."