The EU cannot apply exceptional measures for the accession of a country that is at war to the EU, French President Emmanuel Macron has said.

"We must show respect and solidarity with the people and leaders of Ukraine. And I can understand the emotional response and expectations that are there. Yesterday, the European Commission sent a very strong and clear signal about the fate of Ukraine in Europe and the path to its fate in it. Can we apply exceptional measures to a country that is at war without meeting the criteria? The answer is no," Macron said at a press conference following the informal summit of EU leaders the Chateau de Versailles on Friday.

At the same time, Macron said that the EU also cannot leave neighboring Moldova with the presence of external forces in Transnistria, dependence on Russian gas and refugees, as well as other countries of the Western Balkans.