kyiv takes a step closer to Brussels. The European Commission recommended, on Friday 17 June, to grant Ukraine the status of candidate to the European Union. This acceleration, with the approach of the European summit on June 23 and 24, which will have to decide unanimously and overcome the reluctance of certain member countries, comes at a time when the Ukrainian army is struggling against the firepower Russian in the eastern region of Donbass.
“We all know that Ukrainians are ready to die for their European aspirations. We want them to live with us, for the European dream”European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in Brussels, dressed in blue and yellow, the colors of Ukraine.
“The Commission recommends to the Council, firstly, to give Ukraine a European perspective and, secondly, to grant it candidate status”she added, the day after the visit to kyiv of the leaders of Germany, France and Italy, the first three European powers, who delivered the same message.