The European Union gave its blessing on Friday to Ukraine to become an official candidate to join the bloc, along with its neighbor Moldova, marking a historic eastward shift in Europe¡¯s outlook brought about by Russia¡¯s invasion.
Ukraine applied to join the EU just four days after Russian troops poured across its border in February. Four days later, so did Moldova and Georgia ¡ª two other ex-Soviet states contending with separatist regions occupied by Russian troops.
¡°Ukraine has clearly demonstrated the country¡¯s aspiration and the country¡¯s determination to live up to European values and standards,¡± the EU¡¯s executive Commission head Ursula von der Leyen said in Brussels. She made the announcement wearing Ukrainian colors, a yellow blazer over a blue shirt.
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