Russia Ukraine War News Live Updates: Putin seeks to minimize EU situation as Ukraine’s candidacy alerts main shift in European geopolitics

With the battle in Ukraine’s east raging on, Kyiv acquired a significant enhance when the European Union really useful that it grow to be a candidate to affix the bloc, in what can be a dramatic geopolitical shift following Russia’s invasion.

EU leaders are anticipated to endorse the EU government’s suggestions for Ukraine and neighbouring Moldova, introduced on Friday, at a summit subsequent week.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted that the bravery of Ukrainians had created the chance for Europe to “create a new history of freedom, and finally remove the grey zone in Eastern Europe between the EU and Russia.”

In his nightly tackle on nationwide tv, Zelenskiy stated the choice of the EU member states remained to be seen, however added: “You can only imagine truly powerful European strength, European independence and European development with Ukraine.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen introduced the chief’s determination whereas wearing Ukrainian colors – a yellow blazer over a blue shirt.

“Ukrainians are ready to die for the European perspective,” she stated. “We want them to live with us the European dream.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin railed on the West, the United States particularly, in a grievance-filled speech in St Petersburg on Friday, however sought to minimize the EU situation.

“We have nothing against it,” he stated. “It is not a military bloc. It’s the right of any country to join economic union.”

However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated Russia was intently following Ukraine’s EU bid, particularly within the mild of elevated defence cooperation among the many 27-member bloc.