France, Germany, and Poland said they supported Ukraine’s efforts to build closer political and economic ties with the European Union.

At a meeting of the so-called “Weimar Triangle” in Lodz, Poland, the three countries stressed that they “reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Ukraine’s political connection and economic integration with the EU and its internal market.”

Ukraine formally applied for EU membership on Monday. However, the process is expected to take years, despite the support of EU member states in the aftermath of the Russian invasion.

An embattled Ukraine moved to solidify its bond with the West on Monday by signing an application to join the European Union.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky posted photos of himself signing the EU application, a largely symbolic move that could take years to become reality and is unlikely to sit well with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has long accused the West of trying to pull Ukraine into its orbit.

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