Kiev hopes for concrete EU accession prospects – the nightly update without photos Cruel but effective: that’s why Wagner sacrifices so many soldiers

Kiev is hoping for more concrete accession prospects from an EU-Ukraine summit on Friday. “I believe Ukraine deserves to start EU membership negotiations this year,” Zelensky said in his evening speech on Thursday. Further integration into the European Union would give Ukrainians “energy and motivation to fight against all obstacles and threats”.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Charles Michel want to meet Zelenskyj in Kiev. As Ukraine continues to resist heavy Russian attacks, Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin used the commemoration of World War II’s Battle of Stalingrad to once again defend his war of aggression against the neighboring country.

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EU leaders meet Selenskyj

Another topic at Friday’s summit, which is taking place under tight security, is extra European support in the war against Russia. Von der Leyen, who has been in Kiev since Thursday, has already announced further financial, military and humanitarian aid. EUR 150 million must be made available for the reconstruction of the energy infrastructure destroyed by Russia. A new package of sanctions against Russia is also to be taken on the first anniversary of the start of the war on February 24.

Ukraine has been a candidate country since June. However, it usually takes many years to become a member. However, the 27 EU countries agree that promises of reform must first be kept.

These include the selection process for constitutional judges and the fight against corruption – especially at a high level. The EU is also demanding compliance with anti-money laundering standards and a law against the excessive influence of oligarchs.

Ukraine will need more than 15 billion euros for reconstruction in 2023

Ukraine has also requested specific funding from the European Union for the ongoing reconstruction of the destroyed infrastructure. “This year the need is $17 billion (about 15.6 billion francs),” said Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal. The Russian funds frozen under the sanctions against Moscow should be used for that purpose in the first place.

Kiev continues to demand longer-range missiles

According to a report by the agency Ukrinform, Defense Minister Oleksiy Resnikov has again called for longer-range missiles for his country. Ukraine is also ready to guarantee that no attacks will be carried out on Russian territory. The war has now lasted more than eleven months.

Putin threatens Germany

80 years after the Red Army defeated the Wehrmacht in the Battle of Stalingrad, Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin has accused Germany of now getting drawn into a war with Russia. “It is unbelievable, but it is a fact: we are again threatened by the German Leopard tank,” Putin said at a ceremony in Volgograd (formerly: Stalingrad). The Wehrmacht had no tanks with the type designation Leopard in its inventory. As in World War II, German weapons are being used to fight Russia on Ukrainian territory, the Kremlin chief said. Germany emphasizes that, despite military aid to Ukraine, it is not or does not want to become a war party.

This time too, Russia will defend itself, Putin said, referring to the war against Ukraine, which he himself ordered: “We have something to respond with. And the case does not end with the use of armored vehicles. Everyone should understand,” said the president of the nuclear power plant.

Critics have repeatedly accused Putin of using the memorial days, which are important to many Russians, to commemorate the victory over Hitler’s Germany in World War II for propaganda purposes. (sda/dpa)