Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin believes that Ukraine should join the EU as soon as possible.

He said this while speaking at a conference of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe party, The Times reported.

Martin stressed that he had "initially been an ardent supporter" of Ukraine's accession to the EU and that he generally supports "fast and accelerated" accession process.

The head of the Irish government said that it is "quite clear" to him that Ukraine's future is in the European Union.

Martin believes that EU leaders should grant Ukraine candidate status for EU accession in June. Among the arguments against it that opponents cite is that it would be unfair to some Western Balkan countries, for which the accession process has been seriously delayed in recent years.

But Martin stressed that even before the war he was critical of the slow pace of the accession process, especially with regard to Northern Macedonia and Albania.

"I think in general we need to accelerate the accession process," he said.

Specifically about Ukraine, Martin said that "there will be interaction," as there was for quite some time with Ireland before it became an EU member, but "as soon as possible is what I would expect."

"Because I think we're at a historic moment, all of Europe and the democracies are saying: enough with authoritarian regimes. Democracy can't retreat forever, and that's the most effective way for democracies to strengthen and hold their line - to be together and work together," he said.

Recently, there have been reports that Ukraine has been offered only potential candidate status, but this has raised objections in Kiev, including an unprecedented appeal by Ukrainian NGOs to the EU.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer stated the need for a "European preparatory zone," in which Ukraine and Moldova could get closer to EU standards.