European Commission Greenlights Ukraine on Path to Membership But Highlights Concerns

The European Union’s executive arm on Friday recommended making Ukraine a candidate for EU membership, a morale booster and a first step on what is expected to be a long road for the war-torn country to join the 27-nation bloc.

If Ukrainians were under any illusion that the European Commission’s positive assessment would mean fast-track EU membership, their hopes of quickly joining the club were dashed.

“Starting accession negotiations is further down the line,” said Olivér Várhelyi, the EU Commissioner for the bloc’s enlargement. “Once conditions are met, then we will have to come back and reflect on it … This is not for today.”

The European Commission delivered its proposal to award Ukraine candidate status after an analysis of answers to a detailed questionnaire. The Ukrainian government applied for EU membership days after Russia invaded the country on Feb. 24.

“Ukrainians are ready to die for the European perspective,” commission President Ursula von der Leyen said – wearing clothes in the yellow and blue of the Ukrainian flag. “We want them to live, with us, the European dream.”

https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2022/06/17/european-commission-greenlights-ukraine-on-path-to-membership-but-highlights-concerns/