The European Union will formally begin Ukrainian accession talks tomorrow, rejecting Russia's attempts to force its former Soviet neighbour not to join Western alliances.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to give a speech at the launch ceremony, in what Ukraine's top official for Europe, Olga Stefanishyna, described as a "big day".
Despite the war, the country would not be seeking special treatment during negotiations, she said.
"This is the utmost will of the Ukrainian people. And this is the irreversibility. And you've seen Ukrainians stand up for their choice," said Olga Stefanishyna, the deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
"It's a big day for everybody," said Stefanishyna, who frequently showed emotion while describing the integration process.
"It has been around two years since Ukraine applied for membership. The war is still raging on, but the accession is starting right now."
While praised for making progress since its application, Ukraine must carry out dozens of institutional and legal reforms required for membership.
