Fact Check: Ukraine has applied for membership in the European Union.

Fact Check: "Ukraine has applied for membership in the European Union."

What We Know

On February 28, 2022, just four days after the Russian invasion, Ukraine officially submitted its application for membership in the European Union (EU). This request was made by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who sought immediate admission under a "new special procedure" (Wikipedia). Following this, the presidents of eight EU member states expressed their support for an expedited accession process. The European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, acknowledged the application but indicated that the process would take time (Wikipedia).

On March 10, 2022, the Council of the European Union requested the European Commission's opinion on Ukraine's application (Wikipedia). By June 17, 2022, the European Commission recommended that Ukraine be granted candidate status for EU membership, which was officially granted on June 23, 2022 (Wikipedia). As of December 14, 2023, the European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine, marking a significant step in its EU membership aspirations (Wikipedia).

Analysis

The claim that Ukraine has applied for EU membership is supported by multiple credible sources. The timeline of events clearly shows that Ukraine's application was made shortly after the onset of the Russian invasion, which has been a pivotal moment in the country's political landscape (Wikipedia). The European Union's response, including the recommendation for candidate status and the opening of accession negotiations, further substantiates the claim that Ukraine is actively pursuing EU membership.

The reliability of the sources used in this fact-check is high. The information from Wikipedia is corroborated by various official EU communications and news reports, which consistently report on Ukraine's EU membership application and the subsequent developments (Wikipedia, US News). Additionally, the European Council's official announcements provide authoritative confirmation of the processes involved in Ukraine's accession efforts (European Council).

While some sources may have varying perspectives on the implications of Ukraine's EU membership, the fundamental fact of Ukraine's application and the EU's response remains consistent across the board. The political dynamics surrounding this issue, including support from various EU member states, further reinforce the legitimacy of Ukraine's application (Wikipedia, US News).

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that "Ukraine has applied for membership in the European Union" is true. The evidence demonstrates that Ukraine formally submitted its application on February 28, 2022, and has since been recognized as a candidate for EU membership, with ongoing negotiations to facilitate its accession. The consistent reporting from credible sources and official EU communications supports this conclusion.