The European Commission recommends starting negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU in October.

However, the entry process is expected to require several years, according to Bloomberg. Once EU leaders approve the EC recommendation, Ukraine will begin completing reforms and bringing the country into line with EU legislation in more than 30 areas, including the rule of law and the economy.

The EU says there is no way to speed up entry, which typically takes more than 10 years. Croatia was the last country to join the bloc, and its accession took 10 years before it was officially accepted in 2013.

For the EU, Ukraine’s accession looks like a decisive test of the bloc’s ability to accept new members and adapt the decision-making process. Russia’s war in Ukraine and previous statements by several other countries, particularly in the Western Balkans, also complicate the debate.

The resumption of EU expansion comes at a critical moment, as Brussels works to ensure that Eastern European countries remain in the EU’s orbit, rather than aligning with Russia or China.