During a visit to Kyiv on Sunday, the new president of the European Council pledged support for Ukraine on its road to become a member of the European Union, as well as EU financial assistance in the face of Russia’s invasion.
In a video address to the European Parliament, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the efforts of the EU and Ukraine and thanked those who support his country in the face of Russian aggression.
Moldova’s pro-European president, Maia Sandu, has won a second term as president. Moldova, a candidate for European Union membership, is currently in accession negotiations to become a member of the bloc.
In December, EU leaders agreed to open accession negotiations with Ukraine. While the European Commission said in a recent report that the country needed to implement further reforms, the German government has now said that Ukraine has fulfilled these reforms.
Two decades of EU membership are a reason to celebrate. On May 1, 2004, ten Eastern European states joined the bloc – the EU’s biggest enlargement to date. However, amidst the festivities, attention turns to regions like the Western Balkans, who are still on the waiting list for EU accession.