European Union nations have agreed to open membership talks with Ukraine next week, officially launching the process for the war-torn country to eventually join the world's biggest trading bloc.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced that European Union member states have agreed to advance accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, boosting the countries' membership bids after two years of stalled progress.

BRUSSELS, June 12 - Ambassadors from the European Union's 27 countries agreed on Friday to advance membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova, with the first phase of negotiations set to begin on Monday. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

BRUSSELS, June 12 - Ambassadors from the European Union's 27 countries agreed on Friday to advance membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova, with the first phase of negotiations set to begin on Monday. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

The European Union has agreed to start membership talks with Ukraine next week.