French President warned on Monday that it could take decades before Ukraine joins the European Union, and suggested a new political organization to unite the continent's countries that share EU values but are not part of the bloc.

During a speech on Europe Day in Strasbourg, France, Emmanuel Macron said: "We all know very well that the process of allowing Ukraine to join will take several years, perhaps several decades."

Macron spoke after the European Commission, the EU's executive branch, said it aims to give a first opinion in June on Ukraine's application to join the bloc.

The 27 EU countries are fully united in supporting Ukraine's resistance to the Russian invasion and have adopted unprecedented economic sanctions against Moscow since the war began on February 24. But leaders are divided over how quickly Brussels can move to accept Ukraine as a member, and how the bloc can quickly cut energy ties with Moscow.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday that she discussed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky "EU support and Ukraine's European path."

Currently, Ukraine has only a "partnership agreement" with the EU, which aims to open the country's markets and bring it closer to Europe. It includes a long-term free trade agreement and aims to help modernize the Ukrainian economy.

Eastern European countries strongly support accelerating Ukraine's membership attempt, but EU officials stressed that the process could take years due to pending reforms that still need to be achieved before the war-torn country meets EU standards.

Macron said that quick action for Ukraine would lower standards, an idea he rejects. He said, "The European Union, given its level of integration and ambition, cannot be the only way to structure the European continent in the short term."

Instead, Macron proposed what he called the "European Political Community," which would be open to countries that have not joined the EU, or have left it, like the United Kingdom.

Macron said: "This new European organization will allow democratic European countries that adhere to our core values to find a new space for political cooperation, security, cooperation in energy, transport, investment, infrastructure, and the movement of people."