Ukraine and Moldova granted talks on EU membership
Brussels has given the green light, with conditions attached, to the opening of membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova next spring in a push for the biggest expansion of the European Union for 20 years.
The European Commission’s recommendation will also begin parallel and difficult negotiations between existing member states to reform EU decision-making institutions and budgets to cope with enlargement.
“Today is a historic day,” said Ursula von der Leyen, the commission’s president. “Completing our union is the call of history.”
President Zelensky welcomed the recommendation with personal thanks to Von der Leyen, whose enthusiasm for Ukraine’s membership has alarmed some European capitals.
“This is a strong and historic step that paves the way to a stronger EU with Ukraine as its member,” he
