European Union opens accession talks with Ukraine, Moldova
- 14 December, 07:58
European leaders have decided to open EU membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova and grant candidate status to Georgia in a blow to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
After hours of talks among the European Union’s 27 leaders, President of the EU Council Charles Michel made the relevant announcement on Thursday on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the decision to start accession talks as a victory for his country and Europe.
Posting on X, Zelenskiy said that this decision is “A victory that motivates, inspires, and strengthens,” also adding that “History is made by those who don’t get tired of fighting for freedom”.
The European Union also granted candidacy status to South Caucasus republic of Georgia. “The European Union Council granted candidate status to Georgia. And the EU will open negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is reached and has invited the commission to report by March with a view to taking such a decision. A clear signal of hope for their people and for our continent,” Michel posted.
The EU’s decision is serious blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin who has been threatening Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia over their pro-EU policies. The decision about talks over Ukraine’s accession comes around two years after the bloc accepted Ukraine as a candidate country.
