Ukraine may receive candidate status to join the European Union in June

Ukraine may receive candidate status to join the European Union in June 2022. This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olga Stefanishina.

During a visit to Kyiv, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen submitted an application to Vladimir Zelensky for Ukraine's EU candidacy, stating:

"Ukraine has a place in the European family. We have heard this very important statement from all your people and we will respond positively to your inquiry. Your journey to the European Union begins. I am convinced that this is the shortest way”, said the head of the European Commission.

He stressed that Ukraine has a long way to go for recovery, as Ukrainian cities and infrastructure are now being brutally destroyed. It should be noted that the process of obtaining candidate status usually takes several years, and in the case of Ukraine it takes several weeks.

"That is why we want to work with you, to rebuild Ukraine, and that will positively define Ukraine's path to the European Union", he said.

Igor Jovkva, the deputy head of the presidential administration, said in a telethon that the government would have to fill out an application from the EU to be nominated in about a week.

He said Ukraine should provide the European Commission with about 30 percent information on domestic energy, the economy and other issues.

In addition, the European Commission must issue a conclusion on compliance with the Copenhagen criteria. The commission will then submit the request to the Council of Europe, and once approved, Ukraine will be granted candidate status and negotiations on EU accession will begin.