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Post by Admin on Dec 12, 2023 23:39:17 GMT
Washington CNN — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was in Washington on Tuesday to make an in-person plea for the military and economic aid he said is necessary to continue Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s invasion. Zelensky, visiting Washington for the third time since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022, met with members of Congress Tuesday morning and President Joe Biden later in the afternoon. Zelensky’s meetings came on the same day the US declassified new intelligence on Russia’s losses so far in the war. The intelligence shows US officials believe the Russian military has continued to suffer heavy losses in the war – but is also determined to continue pushing forward. The visit comes as a deal for a supplemental funding package that includes crucial aid for the war-torn country remains logjammed by congressional Republicans who want the Biden administration to make concessions on border security and immigration policy in exchange for the aid package. A deal remains unlikely with a holiday recess looming. While Biden has said he is open to compromise, a bloc of Republicans remains wary at the idea of adding to the more than $100 billion in Ukraine aid already approved by Congress. Biden officials have said nobody is better at making the case for his country than Zelensky himself.
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Post by Admin on Dec 13, 2023 19:06:16 GMT
President Zelensky put a check on Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán, who opposes Ukraine's membership in the European Union (EU), saying, ``There is no reason to oppose it.''
President Zelensky: "Prime Minister Orbán has no reason to block Ukraine's accession to the EU. I asked Prime Minister Orbán to tell me one reason. I'm still waiting for an answer."
On the 13th, President Zelensky revealed that when he spoke with Prime Minister Orbán at the inauguration ceremony of Argentina's new president, he asked him why he opposed Ukraine's EU membership.
At the EU summit meeting to be held from the 14th, the focus will be on new support measures for Ukraine and whether or not a decision will be made to start negotiations for Ukraine's accession to the EU.
Prime Minister Orbán, who is considered to be pro-Russian, has so far indicated his intention to oppose both, and Ukraine is opposing them.
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Post by Admin on Dec 14, 2023 15:20:00 GMT
[Brussels Current Affairs] The European Union (EU) held a summit meeting in Brussels on the 14th.
Over the course of two days, discussions centered on support for Ukraine, which is being invaded by Russia. The focus is on whether an agreement can be reached on additional aid of 50 billion euros (approximately 7.7 trillion yen) and on entering negotiations toward Ukraine's accession to the EU. In both cases, Hungary, which takes the opposite position, holds the key.
Regarding Ukraine's accession negotiations, the European Commission recommended in November that member states allow the start of negotiations with certain conditions. According to an EU official, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attended the summit online and appealed, ``Today is the day when (member states) will make political decisions.''
Ukraine applied for membership soon after the invasion began. It was recognized as a "candidate country for membership" in June last year. The process is progressing at an unusually fast pace in a bid to stabilize Europe amid increasing pressure from Russia.
One country that opposes this is Hungary, which relies on Russia for energy and has consistently taken a conciliatory stance toward Russia. In a letter dated April 4 to EU President Michel, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán warned that "strategic discussions" were needed to decide on Ukraine's entry into accession negotiations.
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Post by Admin on Dec 15, 2023 2:16:38 GMT
European leaders have approved the opening of accession negotiations for Ukraine, European Council President Charles Michel announced Thursday. The announcement comes at a critical time for Ukraine as its counteroffensive against Russia’s invasion stalled in recent weeks and $60 billion in aid from the U.S. is stuck in Congress. While accession talks are likely to continue on for many years, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the news was “a victory of Ukraine … a victory that motivates, inspires and strengthens.” This was a historic moment for Ukraine, which has made its aspirations to join the EU known for many years. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán who had vehemently opposed the opening of accession talks for Ukraine, criticized the agreement reached without him by European leaders. “Hungary does not want to be part of this bad decision!” Orbán said in a statement posted on Facebook.
Orbán left the room when the decision on enlargement was taken, according to a national official and a EU diplomat who were both briefed on the discussion. This allowed for an unanimous decision from the European Council, which another EU official, who like the others was granted anonymity to speak candidly about the circumstances, said was completely legal under EU law. “If someone is absent, they are absent. Legally it is totally valid,” added the official. EU leaders will still meet during the summit to debate the €50 billion aid package to Ukraine. The summit is supposed to end on Friday but could last longer if leaders cannot come to an agreement by then. European leaders were quick to celebrate the announcement. The much-awaited decision came surprisingly early, as Orbán had been threatening to use his veto to block the opening of accession talks in the days leading up to the summit. The European Council’s decision follows a recommendation from the European Commission, which had advised to open accession negotiations in November. Ukraine applied to join the EU in February 2022 — just days after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of the country — and was granted candidate status in June.
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Post by Admin on Dec 15, 2023 12:31:43 GMT
On the night of the 14th, the European Union (EU) summit voted on 50 billion euros (approximately 7.8 trillion yen) in military aid to Ukraine, but it was rejected because Hungary exercised its veto. A few hours earlier, at the summit, it had just been decided that Ukraine and Moldova would begin accession negotiations.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said after the summit: "The summary of our work tonight is to deny additional funding to Ukraine."
Ukraine relies heavily on EU and US funding in its war with Russia, but is struggling to secure additional support.
EU leaders have said they will resume negotiations on aid in the new year.
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