The letter was signed by the heads of the foreign ministries of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Portugal, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

"We jointly call for the adoption of a negotiating framework for Ukraine and Moldova by the Common Council no later than June in order to convene intergovernmental conferences with both countries before the end of this month", the ministers said in a letter to Belgian counterpart Aji Labib.

EU leader Belgium had been pushing for a solution on the issue until the end of June. It is noted, however, that an intergovernmental conference with the candidate country marks the formal start of accession talks with the bloc, which can take years.

"In light of the results achieved and the ongoing reform efforts in both Ukraine and Moldova, which the Commission has previously reported on, we believe that now is the time to move forward", European foreign ministers emphasize.

The return of EU ambassadors to the issue with a likely decision is expected on June 7. At the same time, the European Commission may provide EU ambassadors with data on the progress of Ukraine and Moldova in implementing the reforms required for accession.

The EU officials say both states are being positively assessed.

"The start of accession negotiations will bring additional motivation to both Ukraine and Moldova. Given the difficult situation in Ukraine and the upcoming presidential elections and referendum on EU membership in Moldova, it would boost morale and encourage further work on reforms in these countries", the letter emphasized.

Ukraine's EU accession: what is known

February 28, 2022, Ukraine applied to the European Union  regarding immediate accession through a special procedure.

On June 23, 2022, Ukraine received candidate status for EU accession.

November 8, 2023, The European Commission has recommended that Ukraine start the process of negotiating its accession to the EU.

On February 21, 2024, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the negotiating framework for Ukraine's EU accession would be ready in early summer — after the European elections.

On February 22, President Zelenskyy said that Ukraine's goal is to start negotiations on EU accession  by June.

On March 12, it became known that European Commissioner Varghei suggests  that only two of the four steps necessary for Ukraine's accession to the EU have been completed.

It was reported on May 29 that the EU plans to begin  negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the bloc before Hungary assumes the EU Council presidency on July 1. Kyiv has met most of the conditions for accession.