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The European Union is preparing a number of options to include Ukraine's membership in the bloc in a future peace agreement to end the Russian war. About this said Bloomberg agency, citing informed sources.

According to them, the options being considered include granting Kyiv the protection that comes with joining the EU, as well as immediate access to some of the rights of member states.

At the same time, they said, the bloc would provide Ukraine with a clear timeframe for the steps it needs to take to move forward with the formal accession process.

Other options under consideration include continuing on the current path of European integration or introducing a transition period and gradual membership in the accession process, the interlocutors said.

A European Commission spokesperson tells Bloomberg that Kyiv's future European integration is part of the peace deal discussions.

The EU is building close ties with candidate countries ahead of their accession. In the case of Ukraine, the bloc is already using such opportunities within the framework of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, the official said.