The European Union has decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine, announced the President of the European Council Charles Michel on XThursday December 14, on the first day of a summit of leaders of the Twenty-Seven. “This is a victory for Ukraine. A victory for all of Europe. A victory that motivates, inspires and strengthens”reacted Volodymyr Zelensky on X. For his part, Charles Michel commented on the EU green light as “a clear signal of hope for their people and for our continent.” Follow our live stream.
Russia is “moving forward.” Vladimir Putin on Thursday showed his confidence in a victory in the conflict in Ukraine. “Practically along the entire length of the line of contact, our armed forces are improving their positions”declared the Russian president, during his major press conference organized in Moscow, a week after announcing his intention to stay in the Kremlin. Russia has, according to him, a “sufficient safety margin” due to the “strong consolidation of Russian society”of the “stability of the country’s financial and economic system” and of “increasing military capabilities” from Moscow.
Moscow wants to pursue its objectives. Vladimir Putin indicated, after almost two years of deadly fighting, that his objectives were unchanged: “The denazification and demilitarization of Ukraine, its neutral status”. The solution “will be negotiated or obtained by force”he warned again.
NATO fears that Russia will continue its advance beyond Ukraine. In the event of Russia’s victory in Ukraine, there is a “real risk” that Vladimir Putin does not stop there, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg once again warned Thursday in Brussels. “Our support is not charity, it is an investment in our security”he added. “Ending military assistance to Ukraine would only prolong the war, not end it”warned Jens Stoltenberg again.