European Commission calls for talks on Ukraine membership

The European Commission has recommended that formal talks should begin with Ukraine on joining the European Union.

The step takes Kyiv closer to the coveted prize of EU membership, five months after the 27 member states gave it candidate status.

Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen praised its "excellent progress, even as it's fighting an existential war."

She said talks should also start with Moldova and that Georgia should become a candidate, if it passed reforms. read more