The Council of the European Commissionhas officially recommended that Ukraine be granted candidate status for accession to the European Union. This was stated by the President of the European CommissionUrsula von der Leyen on 17 June 2022 at a briefing in Brussels.

According to the President of the European Commission “The Commission recommends to Council, firstly, confirm Ukraine a European perspective and, secondly, grant candidate status. Of course, on the understanding that the country will implement a set of further important reforms”.

The President of the European Commission has found that Ukraine overall is well advanced in reaching the stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities; has continued its strong macroeconomic record, demonstrating a noteworthy resilience with macroeconomic and financial stability, while needing to continue ambitious structural economic reforms.

The European Commission document separately specifies the list of requirements to Ukraine to be fulfilled. The European Commission will monitor Ukraine’s progress in implementing these steps and report on them, together with a detailed assessment of the country’s progress by the end of 2022.

The final decision will be discussed at the European Council on 23 and 24 June.