President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi on Thursday welcomed the agreement of the leaders of the European Union to start accession negotiations with Kyiv as a “victory” for his country and Europe, and also congratulated the Republic of Moldova.

“This is a victory for Ukraine. A victory for all of Europe. A victory that motivates, inspires and strengthens,” Zelenskyy said in a post on the X social network.

• “The decision of #EUCO on the opening of negotiations on the accession of Ukraine and Moldova to the EU was adopted. Thanks to everyone who worked to make this happen and to everyone who helped. I congratulate every Ukrainian today. I also congratulate Moldova and @SanduMaia personally. History is made by those who never tire of fighting for freedom,” Zelenskyy wrote on Twitter.

The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, also expressed joy on Thursday evening after the leaders of the European Union member states approved the start of negotiations on the accession of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova at the summit in Brussels. “We are Europeans, and the entire EU recognizes this,” Maja Sandu wrote on Facebook.