Moldova and Georgia are expected to join European Union

European Union officials said membership bids from Moldova and Georgia will soon be held after Ukraine officially applied to join the bloc this week.

The two Eastern European countries have already participated in the EU's outreach program, but applying for participation will be an important development in relations with the block of 27 countries.

Applying for membership and scrutinizing each is a process that takes years and involves adjusting basic policies from trade to the rule of law and anti-corruption efforts. 

EU officials called on Thursday not to cite the sensitive nature of Russia's recent geopolitical developments after the invasion of Ukraine.