Brussels, 3 February 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky said on Friday that he expects formal European Union membership talks to start by the end of the year.

"The goal is to start negotiations this year and this is not just a purpose but a major overwhelming goal," Zelensky said in Kiev, alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen und European Council President Charles Michel.

"Ukraine and the EU, we are family," Michel said. "The future of Ukraine is within the European Union," he added, without commenting on the timeline.

"Your determination to forge ahead is impressive," von der Leyen said. She acknowledged reforms carried out by Ukraine despite the war but added that the process to join the EU had "no rigid timelines."

Accession to the European Union is a highly complex and lengthy multi-step process of legal reforms and alignment with the EU's rulebook.

Progressing from candidate status, as held by Ukraine since last summer, to official talks has in the past sometimes taken more than a decade.

A joint statement published after the meeting mentioned Ukraine's determination to start talks "as soon as possible" without providing a date.

A formal review of Kiev's efforts to fulfil a set of conditions to enter into formal accession talks is due later this year.

Ukraine's homework includes a reform of the selection procedure for constitutional judges, stepping up the fight against corruption and money laundering, and passing legislation limiting the excessive influence of oligarchs.

At the end of the two-day visit of several senior EU officials to Kiev, von der Leyen and Michel also reiterated the bloc's unwavering support for Ukraine as the first anniversary of the Russian invasion approaches.

"The EU will support you in every way we can for as long as it takes," said Michel.

"We are not intimidated and will not be intimidated by the Kremlin," he added.

Von der Leyen said on Thursday the the bloc's support amounts to close to €50 billion ($54.2 billion), as she and fellow commission officials announced different new financial, humanitarian and military aid measures.

Ukraine was on country-wide air alert on Friday morning ahead of the meeting of the three leaders.

Von der Leyen said her experience of having to go to a shelter reflected "the reality of every single day" of the ongoing war.

The trio also discussed restrictive measures the EU has imposed on Russia, with the bloc planning to announce its 10th sanctions package in time to mark the first anniversary of the invasion on February 24.

Other topics on the agenda included possible ways to hold Russia accountable for war crimes, efforts to continue global food exports despite the war and support for Ukraine's reconstruction and peace plans.