SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina 

A Croatian member of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Presidential Council sent an official request Tuesday to the European Union to consider granting the country candidate status, the first step in applying to become a member state of the bloc.

Noting that obtaining the status of a candidate to the EU would strengthen the country's security and sovereignty, Zeljko Komsic said that although it does not imply any special procedure in practice, it is an appropriate way to accelerate the process towards full membership, considering geopolitical trends.

Komsic sent the letter to European Council President Charles Michel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and EU Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi.

In the letter, Komsic emphasized the need for seeing the Western Balkans as part of Europe amid Russia's war on Ukraine.

"Considering the circumstances, I would like you to consider the possibility of granting candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina within the institutions of the European Union," he said.

Russia's war on Ukraine, which began on Feb. 24, has drawn international condemnation, led to financial sanctions on Moscow and spurred an exodus of global firms from Russia.

At least 474 civilians have been killed and 861 injured in Ukraine since the beginning of the war, according to the UN, which noted that conditions on the ground make it difficult to verify the true number.

Some 2 million people have also fled to neighboring countries, said the UN Refugee Agency.

*Writing by Beyza Binnur Donmez