The last summit of the European Union held on 23-24 June in Brussels has been tremendously historical. European leaders decided to give EU candidate status to two east European countries one of which is actively in war: Ukraine and Moldova. Applications have been submitted following the war broke out in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine early this year by Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine
Nevertheless, it is complicated to understand which country is the member of EU, NATO, EFTA or non, or which country holds which status. In short, the EU candidate status is held by seven countries now: Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Turkey. EU member states which are not NATO members are Austria, Cyprus, Ireland, Malta, Finland and Sweden (the last two has already applied for the membership). Furthermore, some European states are not members of EU or NATO nor they are candidates or show aspirations such as Switzerland and Liechtenstein
The picture below can be helpful to differentiate EU, NATO, EFTA members, candidates and aspirants
