Politics

Zelensky hails EU decision on Ukraine membership talks

European Commission also recommends granting Georgia EU candidate status

Volodymyr Zelensky, president of Ukraine: ‘Ukraine continues on its reform path and looks forward to European Council’s decision in December.’ Picture: Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA Wire

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed a decision by the European Union’s executive arm to back a start to membership talks with Kyiv, pledging to continue work to develop state institutions.

The European Commission formally recommended opening talks with both Ukraine and Moldova and proceeding to the next steps in the accession process once they complete a series of reforms.

The opinion will need to be approved by EU leaders at a summit in December. The ...