EU opens membership talks with Ukraine as Kyiv intensifies long-range strikes on Russia
The European Union agreed on Friday to open membership talks with Ukraine next week, formally launching the process for the war-torn country to join the bloc, even as Kyiv intensified long-range strikes deep inside Russia. The decision, taken by EU ambassadors in Brussels, will see negotiations begin on Monday in Luxembourg Source: AP News. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the move as a 'security guarantee' for a stable future after the war.
Long-range strikes escalate
On Wednesday, Ukraine launched a series of long-range attacks using its new FP-5 Flamingo missiles, which have a range of up to 3,000 kilometers and carry a 1,150-kilogram payload Source: El Mundo. Zelenskyy said the missiles struck a military factory in Cheboksary that supplies components for Russian drones and missiles, and also hit a refinery in the Samara region Source: Los Angeles Times. The Guardian reported that Ukraine's 'logistics lockdown' strategy has reduced Russian military traffic along key supply routes by over 70 percent Source: The Guardian. Meanwhile, a Russian drone struck a storage facility for spent nuclear fuel near the Chornobyl plant, causing significant damage but no radiation leak, according to the IAEA Source: CNBC.
EU membership milestone
The 27 EU nations agreed to open 'clusters' of negotiations covering fundamental values and principles. EU leaders called it a 'strategic choice' for peace and stability Source: AP News. Ukraine applied for EU membership days after Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. The talks are expected to take years, but the decision sends a strong signal of support.
Sources
5 quotes“European Union nations agreed on Friday to open membership talks with Ukraine next week, officially launching the process for the war-torn country to eventually join the world’s biggest trading bloc.”
“Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country’s forces struck several military and energy infrastructure sites, including a military factory that he said supplied components for Russian drones and missiles.”
“Ukrainian drone operators, including those of 412th 'Nemesis' brigade, say dozens of trucks and tankers have been destroyed as part of an intensified effort known as the 'middle strike campaign'.”
“Russian forces deliberately struck a storage facility for spent nuclear fuel near Ukraine's Chornobyl power plant, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday, in an 'extremely vile' attack that did not lead to a spike in radiation.”
“Its capabilities explain much of its strategic relevance: it has a range of up to 3,000 kilometers, can carry an explosive payload of 1,150 kilograms, and offers a level of precision sufficient to attack high-value targets.”