Head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said that the EU should support Ukraine's accession to the bloc, while maintaining compliance with all standards and requirements.
She said this in a speech at the Bratislava Global Security Forum on Thursday.
Von der Leyen said the EU has an obligation to support Ukraine on its path to the EU, calling it a "historic responsibility."
"The Ukrainians are fighting so courageously because they know exactly what kind of future they want. A future of a free and open society belonging to a common democratic community. They want to join the EU. We've heard it over and over again. I believe it is not only our strategic interest, but our moral obligation to allow their membership in the EU and to pave the way for them to join our Union," the head of the European Commission said.
She insisted that EU investment in Ukraine must be closely tied to reforms, and that Ukraine itself must meet the conditions and standards necessary for accession.
"But how fast (Ukraine will move to the EU.), how fast - it depends on the country itself and our support ... It depends on us how much we support, invest, and in the hands of our Ukrainian friends, what they make of it," von der Leyen said.
As reported, EU leaders agreed at a June meeting to consider the applications of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova for membership in the bloc.
However, there is no unanimity among the EU countries on granting Ukraine candidate status.
