Ukraine is "moving at an incredible speed towards joining the EU", said the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, quoted by DPA.
In a short video message in "Ex" on the occasion of today's Independence Day of Ukraine, Von der Leyen stated: "Europe will always be on Ukraine's side, because Ukraine is Europe. Your freedom is our freedom. Your security is our security."
"And now you are moving with incredible speed towards joining the EU. We have supported you since day one (of the war) and will continue to do so for as long as it takes. Glory to Ukraine! (Glory to Ukraine)."
Ukraine officially became a candidate for EU membership in June 2022 - four months after Russia's full-scale invasion of the Eastern European country and its failed attempt to topple the government in Kiev.
The first round of formal accession negotiations took place this June.