European Union leaders granted candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova in a strong show of support against Russia’s invasion, as the United States said it was sending Kyiv more high-precision rocket systems.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the EU decision on his country and Moldova as a unique and historic moment, although the two former Soviet republics face a long path before joining the bloc and its benefits of free movement and a common market.
French President Emmanuel Macron says that the decision by EU leaders sent a very strong signal to Russia that Europeans support the pro-Western aspirations of Ukraine.