Ukraine, Moldova a step closer to EU membership

European Commission Backs Candidacy; Zelensky Says It Will Bring Victory Closer; Putin Says No Issues With Move

British PM Boris Johnson on Friday paid a second, surprise, visit to Kyiv, meeting President Zelensky and offering a training programme for the country's military in a fresh show of support for Ukraine. During the visit, Johnson promised a new package of help with the potential to train up to 10,000 soldiers every 120 days, Downing Street said

Brussels/Kyiv: The EU gave its blessing on Friday for Ukraine and its neighbour Moldova to become candidates to join the bloc, reaching out deep into the former Soviet Union for what would be a major geopolitical shift resulting from Russia's invasion. "Ukrainians are ready to die for the European perspective," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told a news conference, wearing Ukrainian colours: a yellow blazer over a blue blouse. "We want them to live with us the European dream." Though only the start of a process that may take many years, it puts Kyiv on course to realise an aspiration that would have been beyond its reach just months ago. Ukraine applied to join the EU four days after Russian troops poured across its border in February. Another four days later, so did Moldova and Georgia - smaller ex-Soviet states also contending with separatist regions occupied by Russia.