The European Parliament is expected to adopt a resolution tomorrow (March 1st) urging EU institutions to work to establish "candidate" status for Ukraine. This is the joint statement made by MEPs after the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky signed the official letter of application for EU membership. 

A European Union official explained the whole process. According to him, the letter signed by Zelensky is addressed to the Presidency of the EU Council, which is currently held by France. 

Member States, the European Parliament and national parliaments are then informed of the application by the council. A meeting of the 27 EU Affairs Ministers, known as the General Affairs Council, should take a decision to formally seek the European Commission's opinion on the application. 

It would normally take 15 to 18 months for a commission to give its opinion, although this period could be significantly shortened "depending on political considerations," the official said. 

There is a period of pre-accession with different durations, during which the candidate country adapts its institutions, standards and infrastructure to enable it to fulfil its obligations as a member state. The accession process involves adhering to the membership criteria including the adoption and implementation of EU law.