Skip next section Zelenskyy urges EU leaders to fast-track Ukraine's membership June 19, 2026
Zelenskyy urges EU leaders to fast-track Ukraine's membership
Addressing an EU summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the future of Europe was being decided with the defense of Ukraine.
He also stressed that the best guarantee for the future would be to grant Kyiv fast-track EU membership.
"The future of Europe — free, united, and in peace — is being decided in our defense. That shows how unique our situation is," Zelenskyy said in excerpts of the address posted on X.
"The most important such step could be a fast-track path for Ukraine to join the EU," he added.
This week, the European Council agreed to open the first cluster of chapters in the accession negotiations with Ukraine. The goal now, according to an EU official, is to open all the other clusters as soon as possible.
The official said all the EU’s efforts go are aimed at strengthening Ukraine and putting pressure on Russia in view of future peace negotiations.
Zelenskyy, however, stressed that Europe's security depended on securing funding for Ukraine's military: "We need to provide long-term security guarantees for Europe, and that means long-term financial guarantees for the Ukrainian army."
He added that the EU and the "coalition of willing" countries supporting it could develop the financial instruments to ensure that funding.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FgQd
Skip next section Luxembourg's Frieden calls for bigger EU role in Ukraine talks June 18, 2026
Luxembourg's Frieden calls for bigger EU role in Ukraine talks
On the sidelines of the EU summit in Brussels, Luxembourg 's Prime Minister Luc Frieden called for a bigger EU role in Ukraine talks.
"I've always said we cannot leave it to the Americans to speak to Russia about Ukraine and Europe," he told reporters ahead of the summit.
But before reaching out to Russia, the EU needs to establish a common position, Frieden stressed, namely, "We stand on the side of Ukraine, we defend the fundamental principles of international law and the principles of the United Nations charter, that was obviously violated."
https://p.dw.com/p/5FgQZ
Skip next section Merz calls for strengthening Europe's defense capabilities June 18, 2026
Merz calls for strengthening Europe's defense capabilities
At the European Union summit in Brussels, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledged the new US security strategy, which includes a review of troop deployments worldwide, including in Europe and Germany.
Consequently, Germany's and Europe's defense capabilities must be strengthened, he stressed.
There is already good coordination within the EU and among NATO partners, including Norway and the UK, in this regard, Merz stated, adding that this coordination serves to reinforce the European pillar of NATO.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FgQX
Skip next section EU to renew Russia sanctions for 12 months June 18, 2026
EU to renew Russia sanctions for 12 months
European Union leaders have agreed to renew sanctions against Russia over its ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
A spokesperson for European Council President Antonio Costa said the measures would be renewed for another 12 months.
The bloc had been planning further restrictions on various industrial sectors, including on the banking industry and cryptocurrency assets, and on Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" of ships accused of helping circumvent sanctions on things like oil sales.
Thursday's decision marked the first time such sanctions have been renewed for a year. Previously, they had been renewed every six months.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FgQ7
Skip next section Bulgaria to veto new EU sanctions package against Russia, PM says June 18, 2026
Bulgaria to veto new EU sanctions package against Russia, PM says
Bulgaria 's Prime Minister Rumen Radev said his country will veto the latest European Union package of sanctions against Russia because it may negatively impact Bulgaria's economy. The Bulgarian government is also vetoing over sanctions imposed on a Russian bishop.
"There is a significant risk to the operation of Lukoil," Radev, a pro-Russian euroskeptic who won a parliamentary election in April , told reporters. "We want Lukoil to be excluded from the list."
Russian Lukoil is one of the largest motor fuel retailers in Bulgaria and runs the country's sole refinery in Burgas.
However, Radev said that Bulgaria would not obstruct the EU's common decisions on Ukraine. "We will support the process of negotiations for Ukraine's accession to the EU," he said.
https://p.dw.com/p/5Fg93
Skip next section Some EU leaders are warning against talks with Russia June 18, 2026
Some EU leaders are warning against talks with Russia
Several leaders who arrived at the EU summit in Brussels said there was no point in rushing into talks with Russia.
These remarks were made after an EU official announced on Wednesday that the office of European Council President A…
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