The European Commission is set to officially recommend that Ukraine become a member of the European Union today. 

The commission will give its recommendation for candidate status on Friday with EU leaders to vote on the motion at their next council summit next week.

The final decision will be made by European Union leaders who will meet on June 23 and 24 in Brussels. Germany’s Olaf Scholz, France’s Emmanuel Macron and Italy’s Mario Draghi visited Kyiv on Thursday. 

Mr Macron noted during a press briefing that accepting Ukraine in the bloc is “a strong, quick, expected gesture of hope and clarity that we want to send to Ukraine and its people.”

Countries interested in joining the EU have to pass a test called “Copenhagen criteria,” which requires a functioning economy, a stable democracy and the rule of law, and the endorsement of all EU legislation, including the use of the euro. 

To become a candidate for EU membership, Ukraine needs the backing of all 27 heads of state but while some have openly backed the prospect, like France and Italy, others have been more vague.

Ukraine’s neighbours Moldova and Georgia also applied for EU membership after Ukraine turned in its application four days after Russia launched its attack on 24 February.