The leaders of Germany, France, Italy and Romania support Ukraine’s rapid accession to the European Union. They said that on Thursday during a visit to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, the news agency reported AFP. On Friday, the European Commission will release its opinion on Ukraine’s application for membership.

“We support Ukraine’s status as a candidate for EU membership,” French President Emmanuel Macron told a news conference. He visited Kyiv with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis.

Schulz reiterated Macron’s support for Ukraine. The leaders also promised that Moldova could join in the near future. Iohannis also advocated the accession of Georgia. “We have reached a turning point in European history,” the Romanian president said. “Extraordinary times require strategic responses and exceptional vision.”

The leaders of the four countries also met during the visit in Kyiv with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. AP He speaks of a visit “with a heavy symbolic charge” because in recent weeks Germany, France and Italy have been accused of being soft on Russian President Vladimir Putin.

At the press conference, Zelensky said he was pleased with the EU leaders’ visit. According to him, this shows that Ukraine is not alone in the fight against Russia. “This confirms the visit of Macron, Schultz, Draghi and Yohannes today,” Zelensky said.

Their statement of support comes a day before the European Commission issues an opinion on Kyiv’s application to join the European Union. Next week, EU leaders will consider this advice at the summit.