Brussels, 24 August 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Ukraine is "moving at incredible speed towards joining the European Union," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a video statement on Saturday.

In a short video posted to X to mark Ukraine's independence day, von der Leyen said: "Europe will always be at Ukraine's side because Ukraine is Europe. Your freedom is our freedom. Your security is our security."

"And now you are moving at incredible speed towards joining the European Union. We have been standing with you since day one and we will continue to do so for as long as it takes. Slava Ukraini [glory to Ukraine]."

Ukraine became an official candidate for EU membership in June 2022, four months after Russia's full-scale invasion of the country and its failed attempt to topple the government in Kiev.

The first round of formal accession negotiations was held in June of this year.