The debate is still set to happen at a summit in mid-December, but the approval of the European Commission sends a powerful signal to Ukraine, which was in 2014 invaded by Russia for choosing the path towards the EU.
EU officials recommend Ukraine start membership talks amid Russian invasion challenges; Zelenskyy supports the "right step." Concurrently, the EU proposes similar measures for Moldova and candidate status to Georgia.
Russia continued to throw more troops into the Avdiivka meat grinder on the eastern front, while Ukraine began moving armored vehicles across the Dnipro River in the south, less than 90 kilometers from Crimea.
In Ukraine, the Wager mercenaries killed Ukrainian POWs and mounted their heads on poles, set them on fire after drenching in gasoline, and cut off ears and fingers during interrogations – or just for fun — says a new report by a human rights group.
Media reports, citing sources and social media, suggest that Ukrainian soldiers in the frontline village in Zaporizhzhia Oblast were assembled for an awards ceremony when a Russian Iskander ballistic missile hit them.
General Valerii Zaluzhnyi told the Economist what Ukraine's Army needs to defeat Russia, while North Korea began to secretly aid Russia's war against Ukraine.
John Kirby, a White House official, said that US President insists on approving his request for security assistance for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and the US southern border.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry expressed its serious concern over the visit of the Russian delegation from the annexed Crimea to Türkiye and asked Türkiye to clarify its position on the matter.
General Valerii Zaluzhnyi told the Economist that Ukraine needs high-technology weaponry to overcome Russia’s advantage in the skies, on the ground, and in electronic warfare.
According to the Financial Times, Russia’s president backed down from his nuclear threats against Ukraine after facing strong opposition from the UK, USA, France, and China.
Spain and Belgium boosted purchases of Russian natural gas by up to 50% despite the invasion of Ukraine, where most citizens want to delay elections until after the war.
70% of Russians are ready to support Putin's decision to end hostilities in Ukraine, but on condition that all occupied territories remain under Russian control, according to Levada Center's poll.
A US citizen and two Canadian nationals have been arrested and charged with conspiracy and smuggling critical technologies to Russia vital for advanced military hardware.