European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen informed President Volodymyr Zelensky during a visit to Kyiv That the executive body of the European Union will provide a clear signal on her opinion on Ukraine’s request for join The European Union in the end of next A week, as the fighting raged in east and south of Country.
Make a surprise visit to Kyivsaid von der Leyen the conversations she had with Zelenskyy” us To finalize our evaluation by the end of next week “- first The time publicly designated by the block as GMT.
Zelensky was pressing for Rapid admission into the European Union as a way of Reducing Ukraine’s geopolitical vulnerability, which Russia brutally exposed on February 24 invasion.
However, the officials and leaders in The conglomerate warned that even with Candidacy status, actual EU membership It may take years or even decades.
Von der Leyen, appearing alongside Zelenskyy during it second visit to Kyiv Since the war began, it has not held out out No promises, with reference to the need for further reforms.
For his part, the Ukrainian president warned that it is a “crucial period”. for country and the European Union.
“Russia wants to destroy European unity, wants to leave Europe divided and wants to leave it weak. All of Europe is a target for Russia. Ukraine is only first The theater in this aggression, in these plans,” He said.
Despite reservations among some member states, EU leaders are expected to agree to place Ukraine’s candidate at a summit on From 23 to 24 June with Strict terms attached.
Crisis and famine
The European Union and the United States have vigorously supported Ukraine, sending weapons and cash to me help that we see off Russian forces and punish Moscow with Unprecedented economic sanctions.
Zelensky urged them onthrough continuous diplomacy offensive who saw him appear via Video link in parliaments and summits about world.
On Saturday, he warned the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore of Risks of a global The food crisis caused by the Russian blockade of Ports of Ukraine on the Black Sea.
to caution of “A severe and severe food crisis and famine,” he added, adding that “there is a shortage of Food will definitely lead to political chaos” – all of It’s the direct result of Actions of Russian state.
Before the war, Ukraine was the world’s largest producer of Sunflower oil is a major source of wheat, but millions of tons of Grain exports remain They are trapped by the siege.
Speaking to delegates including Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin and China defense ministerZelinsky urged international pressure to end the siege.
Kyiv he is in discussions with The United Nations, Turkey, etc countries to open a way to me allow Grain exports, said Zelensky focused talks on coordination” of the passage.
‘Destroy all city”
After withdrawing from the capital KyivRussian forces concentrated their firepower on Eastern Donbass region and south.
They continued to bombard them on Friday and Saturday nights of Cities and villages around Kharkiv and in Donbass regions of Lugansk, Donetsk, Zelensky office He said.
Russia wants to destroy everyone city in Donbass, every one without exaggeration” in Friday night speech.
Moscow focused in particular on The key Eastern Industrial city of Severodonetsk, which Lugansk regional governor Sergei Gaidai said on Saturday was “destroyed” by Russian forces.
“That’s them tactics – people There is no need, there is no need for infrastructure, there is no need for homes, everything should simply destroy” in Interview posted on His channel on Telegram.
he is declined to estimate the number of Civilian casualties, but he said he expected the figure to be “enormous and appalling”.
“many people buried in In front of me of entrances to their homes. Heavy artillery shell rips people up into bits and pieces.
he is added: “they are lying like this is for A day, three or four. It is impossible to take them out Because the bombing continues.
in Mykolaiv region near the front line in South, the region’s governor Vitaly Kim stressed the urgency need for international military help.
“the Russian army more powerfulthey have a lot of Artillery and ammunition. Right now, this is a war of Artillery … and we out of ammunition,” he said.
British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace visited Ukraine on Friday where Zelensky thanked London for that it support.
after Washington leadBritain announced Delivery of Multiple launch rocket systems with a range of About 80 kilometers (50 miles), slightly higher than the Russian systems.
has not been clear When Ukraine is able to start using they.
Issuance of Russian passports
In the areas now controlled by its forces, Moscow sought to establish its authority.
authorities in occupier city of Kherson in Southern Ukraine delivery out Russian passports for local residents for The first time on Saturday, news agencies reported.
Russia’s TASS news agency said that 23 Kherson residents obtained a Russian passport at a ceremony via “…simplified Procedure ‘easy decree signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in mayo.
denounced Ukraine move as a “flagrant violation” of and its territorial integrity, saying that Putin’s decree was “legal”. void. “
Introduction follows last Month in Kherson region of Russian ruble as a official The currency is next to the Ukrainian hryvnia.
