June 20, 2022: -On Friday, Ukraine moved closer to entering the European Union.

The European Commission recommended that the war-ravaged country become a nominee to join the bloc, albeit on the understanding that it carries out several significant reforms.

The opinion from the commission, the executive arm of the EU, is coming ahead of high-level discussions in Brussels, Belgium, regarding Ukraine’s potential membership.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says that Ukraine should be welcome as a candidate country, which refers to a legal term that means a nation has officially begun an accession path to complete membership.

Wearing a blazer and shirt to represent the country’s colors, von der Leyen said at a press conference that the commission had a clear message for Kyiv. “And that is, Ukraine deserves a European perspective. Yes, Ukraine should be allowed as a candidate country.”

“This is on the understanding that good work has been done, but important work is remaining to be done,” von der Leyen said.

“So it goes by the book, and therefore progress depends entirely on Ukraine. Ukraine has it in their hands, and what could be better to shape your future,” she added.

The country is battling Russia, with no end in sight to a conflict that some have warned could become a “war of attrition.”

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the EU’s proposal to grant candidacy status to Ukraine and said it would help Kyiv defeat Russia.

Zelenskyy said he expects expe EU government leaders to approve the proposal in the coming week.

Therefore, Russia responded by saying the decision to grant EU candidacy status to Ukraine requires the Kremlin’s “increased attention.”

Ukraine is asking to join the 27-member European Union days after Russia raided on Feb. 24.

The leaders of Germany, France, Italy, and Romania, who visited Kyiv in a show of solidarity on Thursday, all supported Ukraine joining the EU. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he has a “clear message: Ukraine belongs to the European family.”

Although, there are several other issues to consider, not least the fact that several other nations are also keen to join.