European leaders give Ukraine coveted E.U. candidate status.

European leaders decided on Thursday to make Ukraine a candidate for membership of the European Union, a historically important signaling that the country, while now in the throes of war and far from ready to join the bloc, ultimately belongs in it.

The step was seen as impossible a few weeks ago, not least because Ukraine is seen as too far behind in terms of corruption and economic overhauls to be able to join. The decision to give it the coveted candidate status, as a symbolically important gesture, was another leap for European nations that have been rapidly shedding preconceptions and qualms to back Ukraine in the face of Russia’s invasion, often at great cost to themselves.

“Agreement,” Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, said on Twitter. “A historic moment. Today marks a crucial step on your path towards the EU.” Read more

@nytimes