Ukraine’s EU candidate status could be key decision in early 21st century – Zelensky

Giving Ukraine the EU candidate status can historically strengthen freedom in Europe and become one of the key European decisions in the early 21st century.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this at a joint press conference with the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Romania in Kyiv on Thursday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"The main manifestation of our common and strong position now can be support for our integration into the EU. The very course of European history has proved the correctness of the EU's positive response to Ukraine's aspirations. Ukraine's EU candidate status can historically strengthen freedom in Europe and become one of the key European decisions in the early 21st century. I believe that this decision will be our common historical success," he stressed.

Zelensky said that Ukrainians understand that the path to the EU is really a path, not just one step. At the same time, he noted that this path must have a beginning.

He said that Ukraine is ready to work so that the state transforms into a full member of the EU, emphasizing that Ukrainians have already earned the right to stand on this path and obtain candidate status.

He recalled that according to opinion polls, most people in all European countries and on the continent in general support Ukraine's European integration aspirations.

"Historically, we also have the highest level of support for European integration among the Ukrainian people – this is also very important," he added.