Russia Live coverage of the Ukraine War Crisis: On Friday, the European Commission suggested that Ukraine be given EU candidate status, which would be the first step on the lengthy road to membership for the war-torn nation. The 27-nation bloc's leaders will now examine this idea at a summit that will take place in Brussels the following week. The move was praised by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who noted that it was the first step toward EU membership.
Another development was that on Friday morning, Russia launched missiles into the city of Mykolaiv in southern Ukraine, injuring 20 people, including a toddler, and killing two. Governor Vitaliy Kim noted on Telegram that the attack caused damage to four residential structures and an infrastructure facility. Due to intensive fighting and shelling, it is presently difficult to evacuate the 568 residents who are taking refuge in bunkers beneath the Azot chemical facility in the beleaguered city of Sievierodonetsk, the governor of Ukraine's Luhansk region warned on Friday.
In the meantime, the leaders of Germany, France, and Italy paid a visit to Ukraine on Thursday and offered the prospect of EU membership to a nation pleading for arms to fend off Russia's invasion. All three countries had previously received criticism from Kiev for support that was perceived as being too cautious.
Another event was that on Friday morning, Russia fired missiles into the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv, inflicting 20 injuries, including two fatalities, and leaving two persons missing. Four residential buildings and an infrastructure facility were damaged in the attack, the governor Vitaliy Kim noted on Telegram. The governor of Ukraine's Luhansk region cautioned on Friday that it is now difficult to evacuate the 568 residents who are seeking safety in bunkers beneath the Azot chemical factory in the embattled city of Sievierodonetsk.
As a first step on the arduous path to membership for the war-torn nation, the European Commission recommended on Friday that Ukraine be given EU candidate status. The 27-nation bloc's leaders will now examine this idea at a summit that will take place in Brussels the following week. The move was praised by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who noted that it was the first step toward EU membership.
Meanwhile, the leaders of Germany, France and Italy, all criticised in the past by Kyiv for support viewed as too cautious, visited Ukraine on Thursday and offered the hope of EU membership to a country pleading for weapons to fend off Russia’s invasion.
According to Prime Minister Denys Shmygal on Friday, Ukraine has received its first cash through a "managed account" established up by the International Monetary Fund, a loan for one billion Canadian dollars ($770 million) at favourable terms. Shmygal tweeted, "Grateful to... (Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland) for support & comprehensive help to Ukraine in the fight against the enemy.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared that the European Commission's endorsement of Ukraine's EU candidacy was the first step toward EU membership. He stated in a Tweet, "Our Victory will undoubtedly be closer now that we have taken the first step toward EU membership. Grateful for a historic choice made by @vonderleyen and each EC member. Next week, I anticipate a successful outcome from #EUCO."
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