Lithuanian Seimas speaker calls to grant Ukraine EU candidate status ASAP

VILNIUS – Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen has called to recognize Ukraine as a European Union (EU) candidate country as soon as possible.

“I think it is now vital to grant Ukraine the status of a candidate country as soon as possible. We have to open a fast lane for Ukraine to become a European Union candidate country and a member in the nearest possible future,” she said on Monday during a news conference in Riga hosting a meeting of the Baltic and Swedish parliament speakers.

“Now is not the time for long discussions or doubts. It [the prospect of Ukraine’s membership in the EU] is one of the key things we should focus on,” Cmilyte-Nielsen stressed.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Monday for Ukraine's immediate accession into the EU amid Russia's ongoing invasion.

“We appeal to the European Union for the immediate accession of Ukraine via a new special procedure,” he said in a new video address.

Cmilyte-Nielsen on Monday met with the Baltic and Swedish parliament speakers to discuss possible assistance to Ukraine.

Earlier, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda called on the EU to grant Ukraine a candidate status.

Last week, Russia unleashed a war in Ukraine sparking outrage and rage in the world.