It will take decades for Ukraine to be accepted into the European Union, French leader Emmanuel Macron has said.

In a speech to the EU’s parliament in Strasbourg, he instead suggested Ukraine could join a “parallel European community” while it awaits a decision.

This would allow non-EU members to join Europe’s security architecture in other ways, Mr Macron said.

Ukraine began the process of applying to join the bloc in February this year, four days after Russia’s invasion.

“We all know perfectly well that the process to allow [Ukraine] to join would take several years indeed, probably several decades” Mr Macron said on Monday.

He added: “That is the truth, unless we decide to lower the standards for accession. And rethink the unity of our Europe.”

Ukraine’s admittance into the European Union, according to French President Emmanuel Macron, will take decades.

Instead, in a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, he urged Ukraine to join a “parallel European community” while waiting for a decision.

According to Mr. Macron, this will allow non-EU countries to contribute in Europe’s security architecture in a variety of ways.

Ukraine began the process of seeking membership in the group in February of this year, four days after Russia’s invasion.

“We all know full well that the process to allow [Ukraine] to join would take several years, if not decades,” Mr Macron said on Monday.

“That is the fact,” he said, “unless we decide to decrease the standards for admission.” Also, think of our unity.

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