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Zelenskyy says EU membership path will "bring our victory closer"

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President

17 June 2022 15:48 (UTC +04:00)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that the European Commission’s recommendation that Ukraine be given “candidate status” to the EU would bring his country closer to victory in fighting off Russia’s invasion, APA reports citing CNN.

“I commend the positive EU Commission Conclusion on [Ukraine]’s candidate status,” he said on Twitter. “It’s the 1st step on the EU membership path that’ll certainly bring our Victory closer.”

“Grateful to Ursula von der Leyen and each EC [European Commission] member for a historic decision," he added. "I expect the positive result from EUCO [European Council] next week.”

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal also said he is "grateful" for the decision.

“Grateful to Ursula von der Leyen for this decision!” he said via Twitter. “It will accelerate the process of full [Ukrainian] integration into the [European] internal market and effectively accompany the recovery of Ukraine by EU standards.”