Ukraine has made "great strides" to join the European Union since being granted candidate status in 2022, but full accession is a merit-based process and hard work lies ahead, the head of the bloc's executive said in her annual speech on September 13.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addressed the European Parliament as the 27-member bloc starts debating whether to grant Kyiv in December the next milestone on its way toward Western integration -- a formal start of membership negotiations.
The start of such talks would be a geopolitical bargain as Ukraine fights against a Russian invasion.
Von der Leyen added that the European Commission will propose extending temporary protection to Ukrainian refugees.
Ukrainians fleeing the war are exempt from lengthy asylum procedures usually required by EU member countries.
Instead they are immediately entitled to social benefits, a work permit and access to education and housing.
