The European Council approved measures that will allow Ukrainian citizens to travel to the EU for 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa | Genya Savilov/AFP via Getty Images EU approves visa-free travel for Ukrainians Bloc approved relaxed rules after Kiev adopted anti-corruption measures and reforms.

EU ministers today approved measures that will allow Ukrainian citizens to travel to the EU for 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.

The EU's move came after Kiev pushed through reforms in areas such as migration, public order and security, external relations and fundamental rights, Carmelo Abela, Malta's minister for home affairs and national security said in a statement.

Ukrainians will need a biometric passport to take advantage of the new regime.

The measures will not apply to those wishing to visit Ireland and the U.K., where national laws govern visa requirements.

Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos said he welcomed the "final step towards visa-free travel to the Schengen area for Ukrainian citizens."

He said in a statement: "From the very beginning, the Ukrainian authorities have demonstrated their full commitment to address the fight against corruption as a matter of priority and have carried out important reforms in the fields of border management and anti-discrimination. Ukraine has come a long way and today this is recognized and rewarded."

The move comes after the European Parliament approved the new rules last month. Talks between Kiev and Brussels on a liberalized visa deal started in 2008 but the European Commission only green-lit the move in 2015.