KIEV: Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, praised the Europeon Union's (EU) decision to offer his nation candidate status for membership in the 27-member bloc, calling it a "historic moment" in bilateral relations.

The European Council approved Moldova and Ukraine as applicants for membership in the union on Thursday during a two-day conference in Brussels. On February 24, four days after Russia began its invasion of Kiev, Zelensky officially requested that Ukraine be admitted to the EU through a new special procedure.

One of the most significant decisions for Ukraine in the 30 years of its independence, Zelensky remarked on social media on Thursday night. However, this choice does not just affect Ukraine. This is the most significant step toward rebuilding Europe that could be made at this very moment, when the Russian War puts our ability to uphold freedom and unity to the test.

"We are grateful for the European leaders' summit. Thank you to all of our heros who protect European freedom and the independence of Ukraine by using their weapons ... Thank you for enabling a new, stronger, and more liberated history for Europe. Zelensky praised Charles Michel, the head of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, in a tweet, noting that it was "a unique and historical moment" in relations between Ukraine and the Europeon Union.

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