EU nations to start membership negotiations with Ukraine, Moldova
- While the EU is not a military alliance like Nato, membership in the bloc is also seen by some as offering protection against Russian influence
Belgium, which currently holds the presidency of the EU, said member states have agreed that talks will start on Tuesday in Luxembourg.
Ukraine applied to join the bloc less than a week after Russia invaded in February 2022, and EU leaders acted with uncharacteristic speed in making it a candidate in June of that year. But the process has moved more slowly since them – and membership, if it comes, will take years, or even decades.
Still, the opening of talks sends another strong signal of solidarity with Ukraine on top of the huge financial support provided by the EU.
Leaders from the 27-nation bloc agreed last year that accession negotiations should start with both Ukraine and Moldova. That was a necessary political agreement, and Friday’s move lays the legal basis for the talks
