President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked for Ukraine to join the European Union, in what has been described as a "historic moments"'.

The leader has been calling for 'fast-tracked' entry into the EU to help his nation fight off Russian forces by strengthening its ties with the West.

An image posted on social media shows him signing an official application at a desk with indoor barricades behind him.

A Tweet from the official account of the president's office said: 'President @ZelenskyyUa has signed application for the membership of #Ukraine in the European Union. This is a historic moment.'

Mr Zelensky revealed earlier on Monday that he had asked the EU for 'immediate accession via a new special procedure'.

'Our goal is to be together with all Europeans and, most importantly, to be on an equal footing,' he said on his Telegram channel, as fighting across the country intensified.

'I'm sure it's fair. I'm sure it's possible.'

President Zelensky signs application for the membership of #Ukraine
The President of Ukraine has signed application for the membership of Ukraine into the European Union

He confirmed he had spoken to EU chiefs about the prospect of joining, tweeting last night: 'Had a phone conversation with @vonderleyen.

'Talked about concrete decisions on strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities, macro-financial assistance and Ukraine's membership in the EU.'

It came on the back of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen saying on Sunday that the bloc wants Ukraine to join.

'They are one of us and we want them in,' she said.

But despite backing Ukraine for EU membership, she gave no indication it would be the rapid accession demanded by its politicians.

It is not yet clear what a special procedure would look like in practice and whether European leaders would agree to a fast-track option. 

The decision to add new countries to the EU lies with established member countries, which don't always agree with the Commission's views.

European Council President Charles Michel said on Monday that there were 'different opinions' among member countries to discuss the matter.

Zelenskyy has signed an application for EU membership.
Ukraine has called for a fast-track membership, though it is not clear how this would work in practice

Ukraine is a close ally of the EU and borders many member countries, including Poland and Slovakia.

In 2017 it signed an Association Agreement with the bloc, in which the two sides agreed to align their economies in areas such as workers' rights, and deepen political ties.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy poses with Prime Minister Denys Shmygal (R) and Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk after signing an official request for Ukraine to join the European Union (Picture: Reuters

Zelenskyy said the attacks had been brutal, with shelling of civilian infrastructure and attacks on 'everything, including ambulances'.

KYIV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 28: People crowd the Kyiv train station to take trains to Poland or to places in the western parts of Ukraine on February 28, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine. As Russia???s large-scale invasion of Ukraine entered its fifth day, the capital was quieter overnight but Russian forces continued to mass outside the city. Ukrainian forces waged battle to hold other major cities. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
People crowd the Kyiv train station to escape Ukraine as Russian troops advance on the capital (Picture: Getty)
This photograph shows a view of a school destroyed as a result of fight not far from the center of Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, located some 50 km from Ukrainian-Russian border, on February 28, 2022. (Photo by Sergey BOBOK / AFP) (Photo by SERGEY BOBOK/AFP via Getty Images)
A view of a school destroyed as a result of fight not far from the center of Ukrainian city of Kharkiv (Picture: AFP)