BRUSSELS — European leaders meeting Thursday formally backed E.U. candidate status for Ukraine, in a historic moment for the bloc and a major morale boost for Kyiv amid war with Russia.
“Ukraine’s future is within the EU,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on Twitter after the decision, describing it as a “unique and historical moment” in Kyiv’s relations with the bloc.
Ukraine has long pushed for a path to membership, but Russia’s invasion added a new sense of urgency. In the immediate aftermath of the invasion, Zelensky pleaded for special consideration, an idea backed by some member states and strongly opposed by others.
In a matter of months, Zelensky’s personal appeals, dogged Ukrainian diplomacy and support from high-profile E.U. officials and leaders have made what seemed like a long shot feel almost inevitable. Heading into Thursday’s summit, all 27 members states expressed support for the idea of granting Ukraine candidate status, according to officials and diplomats, with conditions to be met later.
Support for Ukrainian candidacy does not grant membership but would be a first step on the long and difficult road to joining the bloc. Full membership would still be years or even decades away.
Moldova was also granted candidacy Thursday.
Ukraine’s push has revived the enlargement debate more broadly. Georgia will be considered after additional conditions are met. “It is time to acknowledge that the future of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia lies within the E.U,” European Council President Charles Michel wrote in an invitation letter to the meetings.
