While Ukraine's defense of the eastern region of its country against Russia's onslaught of artillery and missiles isn't going great, there was one promising development for the beleaguered nation: Ukraine is now one step closer to becoming a member of the European Union.

EU leaders granted the country "candidate status," which it also gave to Moldova, another Eastern European country living under the thumb of Russia.  

This move is likely to anger the Russians.

But it's precisely because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine that the EU is moving so quickly to bring in these new countries. Ukraine's acceptance into the E-U is not guaranteed, and it's not without complications ... several EU member countries expressed reservations of admitting a large, war-torn country.

Meanwhile Ukraine is still aspiring to be a member of NATO.

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