French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday he favors a new type of “European political community” that would allow countries outside the European Union, including Ukraine and the United Kingdom, to engage in “core European values”.

Speaking to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Macron described his re-election last month as a sign that the French want more Europe.

But he made it clear that Ukraine’s desire to join the bloc would take several years and as a result, some hope should be given in the short term.

“Ukraine is already a warm member of our Europe, our family and our unity because of its struggle and courage,” Macron said.

“Even if we grant him candidate status tomorrow, we all know very well that the process of allowing him to join will take several years, possibly several decades.”

Rather than overturn strict standards to allow countries to unite more quickly, Macron has proposed creating a parallel entity that can attract countries that leave the union, with explicit reference to countries wishing to join the bloc or the United Kingdom.

This “European political community” will be open to democratic European countries that are committed to their core values ​​in areas such as political cooperation, security, cooperation in energy, transport, infrastructure investment or people’s movement, he said.

“Participating in it doesn’t necessarily jeopardize future EU membership,” he said. “It will not be closed to those who leave it.”