EU leaders will discuss the issue of Ukraine's membership at a summit on 24-25 March, a high-ranking EU representative told reporters in Brussels. "Of course, the question of membership will be a part of the discussion because it is important for many leaders," he said, TASS reported.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said earlier that the meeting of European leaders would confirm their support for Ukraine's application for EU membership, even if the path to accession would be long.

“The process will be long, and time will be needed to allow for a real and functioning integration,” Draghi told lawmakers in Rome. Italy's position is to support and encourage Ukraine along a path that's already begun, he said.

Germany and the Netherlands are among the countries that have said the EU should focus on practical assistance to Ukraine rather than the symbolic idea of membership, which could take a decade or more to implement.