The European Union has formally begun accession negotiations with Ukraine, which is under Russian aggression.

The EU held the first meeting of accession negotiations with Ukraine in Luxembourg on the 25th.

Accession negotiations will be conducted within the framework of a procedure approved by the EU, and will continue until it is determined that EU standards have been met on issues such as judicial reform and the eradication of corruption.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented, “This is a historic moment. We have worked hard to get to this point.”

Ukraine applied for membership immediately after the Russian invasion began in February 2022, and became a “candidate country” in unusually fast timeframe, but with no end to the fighting with Russia in sight, it appears inevitable that accession negotiations will be protracted.

The EU has also begun accession negotiations with Moldova, which has areas controlled by pro-Russian separatists where Russian troops are stationed.

Source: Japanese