KIEV;  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with the presidents of France, Germany, Italy, and Romania in Kiev to discuss his country's possibilities for EU membership as well as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the presidential press service reported.

Zelensky briefed European leaders on the situation on the frontlines and the needs of the Ukrainian armed forces in the conflict with Russia during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, as per reports.

Ukraine anticipates new heavy weaponry, contemporary jet artillery, and missile defence systems from its allies, Zelensky said. He also assured European leaders that Ukraine is ready to put in the work necessary to attain full EU membership.

Macron, for one, stated that Ukraine is a member of the European family, and that the presidents of the four nations are in favour of Ukraine being designated as a candidate for EU membership.

Scholz, for his part, said that candidate status is a significant step forward in Ukraine's European journey, but that the country must still meet specific conditions in order to join the 27-member EU.

Draghi underlined that the EU is exhibiting unity in its readiness to assist Ukraine, while Iohannis emphasised that European countries must provide effective tools for rebuilding Ukraine after the conflict.

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