The European Parliament yesterday voted overwhelmingly to grant European Union candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova.<br />''<br />'' European Council President Charles Michel made the announcement after discussions among leaders of the EU's 27 member states.<br />''<br />'' The vote was 529-45, with 14 abstentions. The European Parliament also approved EU candidacy for Georgia.<br />''<br />'' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that this was a historic moment in Ukraine-EU relations and Ukraine's future is within the EU.<br />''<br />'' Moldovan President Maia Sandu tweeted that the decision was a strong signal of support for Moldova and our citizens.<br />''<br />'' In order to join the 27-member EU bloc, the three countries  will be required to carry out a series of political and economic reforms.<br />''<br />'' However, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, she was convinced that Ukraine and Moldova would move as swiftly as possible to implement necessary reforms.<br />''<br />'' The European Council, which comprises the heads of all 27 EU governments, would have the final vote on Ukraine's membership.<br />'' <br />'' The vote came as the U.S. said, it was sending 450 million dollar more in military aid to Ukraine, including some additional medium-range rocket systems.<br />