- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he has officially applied to have Ukraine join the European Union.
- "I'm sure it's feasible," Zelensky said in a post on social media amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen previously said the European Union wants Ukraine as a member.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday said he officially applied to have Ukraine join the European Union as his country remains under attack by Russian forces.
"Today I signed the application for Ukraine's membership in the European Union. I'm sure it's feasible," Zelensky said in a post on his social media platforms alongside photos of him signing the documents.
Since Russia's invasion last week, the EU has taken unprecedented steps to assist Ukraine, including sending weapons, banning Russian planes from flying over its airspace, barring Russian media, and imposing economic sanctions. In addition, many of those leaving Ukraine are going to neighboring countries that are members of the EU, such as Poland.
Earlier Monday, Zelensky urged the European Union to grant his country "immediate" membership into the 27-nation bloc amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
"We appeal to the European Union for Ukraine's immediate accession under a new special procedure," Zelensky said in a videoed address, according to a translation from the New York Times.
"Our goal is to stand alongside all Europeans and, most importantly, to stand on their level," said Zelensky.
The Ukrainian president continued, "We are grateful to our partners for supporting us, but our goal is to stand alongside all Europeans, and most importantly, stand on their level."
"I am confident that this is fair," he said. "I am confident that we deserve this. I am confident that all this is possible."
The European Commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Insider on Monday.
Over the weekend, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union wants Ukraine as a member.
"Indeed over time, they belong to us. They are one of us and we want them in," von der Leyen told EuroNews.
The outlet reported that von der Leyen did not specify if the process for Ukraine to join would be as quick as Zelensky has hoped.