European Commission will respond to Ukraine's application for membership in the European Union in a few months.
This was announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following a conversation with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
"I've had a substantive conversation with the President of the European Commission. The conclusion of the European Commission regarding Ukraine's application for membership in the European Union will be prepared in a few months. Respective errands were given to the Government and the European Commission. We are jointly moving towards our strategic goal," - wrote Ukrainian President on Twitter.
According to the Deputy Head of The President's Office Igor Zhovkva, Ukraine's achievements in the implementation of Association Agreement and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) will be taken into account, since Ukraine has already implemented major part of EU aqcuis".
"The conclusion of the European Commission will be submitted for consideration to EU member states, that have to grant Ukraine candidate country status and start accession talks. Starting from today the Ball is in the EU's court. However we are ready for constant interaction with European Commission in conclusion preparation process," - mentioned Zhovkva.
He called a pace at which EU is considering Ukraine's application unprecedented, yet "still quite slow for us".
On February 28, on the fifth day of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed an application for immediate accession to the European Union under a simplified procedure. Such an application for Ukraine was initiated by Slovakia, and the decision to accelerate membership was supported by a number of EU countries, including Hungary.
On March 1, the European Parliament recommended Ukraine be granted EU candidate country status.
On March 7, EU launched a consideration procedure for accession applications from Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. This very day Bloomberg agency with references to European diplomats wrote that a number of EU countries had opposed granting Ukraine candidate country status. Germany, the Netherlands, and several other countries insist for European Commission to speak up on Ukraine's readiness to join the European Union before taking a political decision on granting candidate status.
On March 11, At a summit in Versailles EU state and government heads discussed Ukraine's application for EU membership.
EU country leaders approved a declaration saying "yes" to Ukraine's European integration. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda stated this and called such decision historical.