President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has applied for his country to join the European Union in what has been hailed as a ‘historic moment’.
According to the report by Metro news UK, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has been calling for ‘fast-tracked’ entry into the EU to help his nation fight off Russian forces by strengthening its ties with the West.
An image posted on social media shows him signing an official application at a desk with indoor barricades behind him.
A Tweet from the official account of the president’s office said:
‘President @ZelenskyyUa has signed application for the membership of #Ukraine in the European Union. This is a historic moment.’
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine revealed earlier on Monday that he had asked the EU for ‘immediate accession via a new special procedure’.
‘Our goal is to be together with all Europeans and, most importantly, to be on an equal footing,’ he said on his Telegram channel, as fighting across the country intensified.
‘I’m sure it’s fair. I’m sure it’s possible.’
He confirmed he had spoken to EU chiefs about the prospect of joining, tweeting last night: ‘Had a phone conversation with @vonderleyen.
‘Talked about concrete decisions on strengthening Ukraine’s defence capabilities, macro-financial assistance and Ukraine’s membership in the EU.’
It came on the back of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen saying on Sunday that the bloc wants Ukraine to join.
‘They are one of us and we want them in,’ she said.
But despite backing Ukraine for EU membership, she gave no indication it would be the rapid accession demanded by its politicians.
It is not yet clear what a special procedure would look like in practice and whether European leaders would agree to a fast-track option.
The decision to add new countries to the EU lies with established member countries, which don’t always agree with the Commission’s views.
European Council President Charles Michel said on Monday that there were ‘different opinions’ among member countries to discuss the matter.
He confirmed he had spoken to EU chiefs about the prospect of joining, tweeting last night: ‘Had a phone conversation with @vonderleyen.
‘Talked about concrete decisions on strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities, macro-financial assistance and Ukraine’s membership in the EU.’
It came on the back of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen saying on Sunday that the bloc wants Ukraine to join.
‘They are one of us and we want them in,’ she said.
But despite backing Ukraine for EU membership, she gave no indication it would be the rapid accession demanded by its politicians.
It is not yet clear what a special procedure would look like in practice and whether European leaders would agree to a fast-track option.
The decision to add new countries to the EU lies with established member countries, which don’t always agree with the Commission’s views.
European Council President Charles Michel said on Monday that there were ‘different opinions’ among member countries to discuss the matter.
Intelligence officials believe Putin wants to topple Ukraine’s democratically-elected government and install his own puppet leadership in an bid to tear up the post-Cold War order and revive the Soviet Union.
Troops have been closing in on Kyiv for several days, with chilling satellites capturing what appears to be a huge convoy of Russian troops and tanks travelling towards the capital city today.
It comes after Putin’s forces launched a fresh wave of bombing on key infrastructure sites in Ukraine overnight on Saturday after being frustrated by a lack of progress in the first few days of the invasion.
There has also been street fighting in the second largest city of Kharkiv, which is located just 12 miles south of the Russian border.
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said the attacks had been brutal, with the shelling of civilian infrastructure and attacks on ‘everything, including ambulances’.