1.The EU has agreed to start membership negotiations with embattled Ukraine and Moldova.
[embattled adjective: (of a place or people) involved in or prepared for war, especially because surrounded by enemy forces.
"the US has begun to call for a ceasefire among various fighting groups in the embattled country"
2. It's another step in both nation's long journey to move closer to the West and mute Russia's influence.
3. Ukraine applied to join the bloc less than a week after Russia invaded in February 2022, and EU leaders acted with uncharacteristic speed in making it a candidate in June of the that year.
4. But the process has moved more slowly since then.
5. Membership, if it comes, will take years or even decades.
I'm Charles de Ledesma.