European Council President Charles Michel at a meeting in Brussels, Belgium, March 23, 2022. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

The comments come after the European Commission recommended granting Ukraine candidate status last week ahead of an EU Council gathering in Brussels on Thursday and Friday.

“Now is the time to acknowledge that the future of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia lies within the EU,” Michel wrote in an invitation letter to council members.

He said the EU will continue to provide Ukraine with strong humanitarian, military, economic and financial support.

The EU's 27 member states must agree unanimously to grant candidate status. Discussions on admitting the prospective new countries will take place at the summit.