Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama praised Ukraine's probable inclusion as a candidate for European Union membership on Thursday but cautioned against unrealistic expectations of a quick process.

Arriving at an EU summit with Western Balkan countries, Rama said “North Macedonia is a candidate for 17 years if I have not lost count, Albania since eight, so welcome to Ukraine."

Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia were unanimously accepted as EU candidates by the European Parliament on Thursday.

In all, 529 votes were cast in favor of deferring the status of the three nations, while 45 votes were cast against the plan. 14 more MPs voted no.

“It’s a good thing to give Ukraine the status. But I hope that Ukrainian people will not make many illusions.”

The Balkan leaders are highly dissatisfied with their delayed EU ambitions, with Bulgaria preventing discussions with Albania and North Macedonia over a dispute with Skopje.

“It’s a disgrace that a Nato country, Bulgaria, kidnaps two other Nato countries, namely, Albania and North Macedonia, in the midst of hot war in Europe’s backyard with 26 other countries sitting still in a scary show of impotence,” Rama explained.

Rama and the presidents of North Macedonia and Serbia threatened to skip the EU summit in protest of the lack of progress but ultimately chose to attend.

Bulgaria's EU rivals have been pressuring the country to accept a compromise settlement in its long-running historical and cultural conflict with North Macedonia in order to pave the way.

However, the collapse of the Bulgarian government following a no-confidence vote on Wednesday has cast more doubt on the plan.

According to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, “The states and citizens of the Western Balkans have been waiting for almost 20 years for the possibility of becoming members of the European Union."

“In my view, it is of the utmost importance that this promise becomes credible.”

EU chief Charles Michel said there was “a will to re-energize” the accession process for the Balkan countries.

However, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated unequivocally that he expects "nothing" from Thursday's meeting of the EU's 27 leaders.

Brussels is concerned that the Balkans' lack of development would drive the region closer to Russia and China.

Some EU members have attempted to exploit the campaign for candidate status for Ukraine — and its neighbor Moldova — to re-energize efforts to bring the Balkans on board.

However, Serbia has expressed dissatisfaction with the EU sanctions imposed on its partner Russia in response to the war in Ukraine.