European Commission President is confident Ukraine will receive candidate status

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is confident that EU leaders at this week's summit will agree to grant Ukraine candidate status based on the European Commission's conclusion.

Polish PAP reports, citing the interview with German public television.

"I am deeply convinced that we will receive a positive decision, and support will be there. The course has already been determined," said Ursula von der Leyen.

She added that after receiving the status, the speed of their progress towards membership would depend on the candidate countries. The President of the European Commission recalled the example of Slovakia, which gained prospects in 1999 and was able to join in 2004, and Turkey, which is now further from potential membership than it was at the time.

On June 17, the European Commission published conclusions on Ukraine's, Moldova's, and Georgia's applications for EU membership, recommending that the first two be granted candidate status.

"Ukraine has clearly demonstrated the country's aspiration and commitment to live up to European values and standards," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at a news conference, wearing a yellow jacket and blue blouse in an apparent reference to the Ukrainian flag. Despite the war, "we have applied the commission's rigorous standards in assessing these membership applications," she added.

At the same time, Ukraine has been prescribed six requirements that it must meet not to lose its new status and move to the next stage of the procedure. Among them is implementing laws to ensure the selection of qualified judges and limit oligarchs' influence. It also asked that Ukraine improve its track record on investigations, prosecutions, and corruption convictions.