Ukrainian president's request to join the EU immediately
Amid Russia's continued aggression, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday (February 26th) called on the European Union to immediately include Ukraine in the alliance.
Zelensky signed a petition to join the 28-member EU and posted a photo of himself on social media. "We are appealing to the European Union for Ukraine's urgent accession through a new special procedure," he said in a video.
"We are grateful to our allies for being with us," Zelensky said. "Our goal, however, is to unite with all Europeans, and in particular to keep pace. I'm sure that's fair. I'm sure we've achieved that. I'm sure it's possible. "
It usually takes a few years for any country to formally join the EU. It is part of a multi-pronged process that requires countries to undergo sweeping reforms to meet EU standards for inclusion.
Andrei Sibiha, head of Zelensky's office, said on his official Facebook page that the documents requesting EU membership were "on the way to Brussels".
The EU has condemned Russia's aggression in Ukraine, provided military assistance to Kiev, and imposed strict economic sanctions on Russia.
"They are one of us, and we want them in our team," European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen told Euronews in an interview on Sunday.
Von der Lane's spokesman, Eric Mama, made it clear on Monday that the EU chief's remarks did not mean that Ukraine could join immediately.
"There is a process (to join the EU), and I think that's important," he said.
Ukraine's bid to join the European Union, though symbolic, could further anger Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin has long accused Western nations of trying to influence Ukraine.
[Some excerpts from this report are taken from The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse]
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