The European Union said it would seriously look into Ukraine’s application to become a bloc candidate country, recognizing the move’s political weight and dramatic circumstances as well as hesitation from many member states, Euractiv, a pan-European media network specialized in EU policies, reported on March 1.

The pledge to consider the Ukraine’s membership request reportedly came at an extraordinary session of the European Parliament on Tuesday (March, 1), where Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made an emotional plea for the EU to “prove that you are with us”.

Earlier the Ukrainian president’s office said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked the European Union to immediately admit Ukraine as a member state via a special procedure.

“Our goal is to be with all Europeans and, most importantly, to be equal. I’m sure that’s fair. I am sure we deserve it,” he said in a video speech shared on social media.