Ukraine's bid to join EU will take 'several decades', says Macron [View all]

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France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, said Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union would “take several years indeed, probably several decades”.

Speaking to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Macron suggested Ukraine needed to be given some hope in the short-term while it awaits a decision.

Macron said: Ukraine by its fight and its courage is already a heartfelt member of our Europe, of our family, of our union.

Even if we grant it candidate status tomorrow, we all know perfectly well that the process to allow it to join would take several years indeed, probably several decades.

The Guardian live stream