The French Presidency of the Council said on Monday that it was examining the applications – submitted under a special procedure – of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova.

Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova are three of the six countries the EU classifies as neighbours under the so-called “Eastern Partnership” initiative. For years, the EU has focused on pushing those countries to gradually adopt democratic and legal reforms that would bring them closer to the bloc.

For some diplomats, it’s hard to imagine that Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova can suddenly deliver on reforms they have struggled to implement until now.

Diplomats also stressed that while the process of joining the EU can take years, the EU is still providing Ukraine and others in the region with financial aid, humanitarian assistance and now, at least in the case of Kyiv, even weapons.

EU to officially examine Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia’s bids to join the bloc – POLITICO Europe