The European Commission has backed Ukraine and Moldova to become candidates for EU membership.

But leaders of EU countries will then have the final say at a summit in Brussels on 23-24 June.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said in the case of Ukraine that “we all know that Ukrainians are ready to die for the European perspective, we want them to live with us, the EU”.

She praised the country’s pre-war reforms to tackle corruption, curb the influence of oligarchs and strengthen the rights of minorities although she noted that “we want to see results on the ground”.

She also flagged that the country enjoys a “very robust parliamentary, presidential democracy” and that its public administration has kept the country going despite the war. She also noted that “Ukraine has a very vibrant and active civil society”.

more at euronews.com

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