The French leader said that “we will do everything needed so Russia cannot win the war” after the meeting of over 20 European heads of state and government and other Western officials.

“There’s no consensus today to send in an official, endorsed manner troops on the ground. But in terms of dynamics, nothing can be ruled out,” Macron said in a news conference at the Elysee presidential palace.

Macron declined to provide details about which nations were considering sending troops, saying he prefers to maintain some “strategic ambiguity.”

The meeting included German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Poland’s President Andrzej Duda as well as leaders from the Baltic nations. The United States was represented by its top diplomat for Europe, James O’Brien, and the UK by Foreign Secretary David Cameron.

Duda said the most heated discussion was about whether to send troops to Ukraine and “there was no agreement on the matter. Opinions differ here, but there are no such decisions.”

Poland’s president said he hopes that “in the nearest future, we will jointly be able to prepare substantial shipments of ammunition to Ukraine. This is most important now. This is something that Ukraine really needs.”

Macron earlier called on European leaders to ensure the continent’s “collective security” by providing unwavering support to Ukraine in the face of tougher Russian offensives on the battlefield in recent months.

“In recent months particularly, we have seen Russia getting tougher,” Macron said.

Macron cited the need to solidify security to head off any Russian attacks on additional countries in the future. Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia as well as much larger Poland have been considered among possible targets of future Russian expansionism. All four countries are staunch supporters of Ukraine.

Estonia’s foreign minister said earlier this month that NATO has about three or four years to strengthen its defenses.

In a video speech, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the leaders gathered in Paris to “ensure that Putin cannot destroy our achievements and cannot expand his aggression to other nations.”

Several European countries, including France, expressed their support for an initiative launched by the Czech Republic to buy ammunition and shells outside the EU, participants to the meeting said.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said his country decided to provide over €100 million for that purpose.

In addition, a new coalition is to be launched to further “mobilise” nations with capabilities to deliver medium and long-range missiles, Macron said, as France announced last month the delivery of 40 additional long-range Scalp cruise missiles.

European nations are worried that the US will dial back support as aid for Kyiv is teetering in Congress. They also have concerns that former US President Donald Trump might return to the White House and change the course of US policy on the continent.

The Paris conference comes after France, Germany and the UK recently signed 10-year bilateral agreements with Ukraine to send a strong signal of long-term backing as Kyiv works to shore up Western support.

L'articolo Abandon all hope, European allies – Emmanuel Macron launches into one of the typical contradictions that have made him famous: ‘Russia cannot win in Ukraine’, he says, but at the same time Western governments have no intention of sending troops to fight the war. All that will be done is to send ammunition to allow Kiev to buy time, perhaps a few months. But still there is no sign of a winning strategy at the moment proviene da Bubble report.

“A clear signal of hope for their people and for our continent,” said Charles Michel, the president of the European Council.

Additionally, the EU “will open negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is reached.”

The European Commission will have to report by March on the progress made by the Balkan country to decide the next steps.

Thursday’s breakthrough, achieved during a summit of leaders in Brussels, came amid Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s veto threats and antagonistic rhetoric.

In the days leading up to the meeting, Orbán has questioned Ukraine’s readiness to start negotiations and the Commission’s credibility as an impartial arbiter. After being declared a candidate country in July last year, Ukraine was given seven reforms as a precondition to start the talks. Brussels has said the work is not yet complete but is sufficient to take the process to the next stage, something the Hungarian premier had challenged.

“Enlargement is not a theoretical issue, it’s a merits-based, legally detailed process, which has preconditions,” Orbán said upon arrival on Thursday. “If you haven’t fulfilled the preconditions, there is no chance to start the negotiations.”

“We have to come back later on and revert to that issue again when it is fulfilled by the Ukrainians,” he added.

It was not immediately clear what made Orbán lift its veto. The PM is believed to have abstained during the vote, which required unanimity.

The news from Brussels quickly prompted a succession of social media posts celebrating what many leaders described as a “historic day.”

“This is a victory for Ukraine. A victory for all of Europe. A victory that motivates, inspires, and strengthens,” wrote Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who delivered a video message during the summit urging leaders to make a positive decision.

“Moldova turns a new page today with the EU’s go-ahead for accession talks. We’re feeling Europe’s warm embrace today. Thank you for your support and faith in our journey,” said Moldovan President Maia Sandu.

“We’re committed to the hard work needed to become an EU member. Moldova is ready to rise to the challenge,” she added.

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said the moment had happened “against all odds,” while her Irish counterpart, Leo Varadkar, said the greenlight “will be a big boost for morale to know that Europe believes their rightful place is with us in our common home.”

Thursday’s decision has to be followed by a negotiating framework, a detailed document that sets a roadmap for the accession talks. The framework will have to be endorsed by the 27 member states, also by unanimity. This could happen as soon as March when EU leaders are next scheduled to meet provided Ukraine has fulfilled the remaining three preconditions.

After settling the matter of enlargement, EU leaders will now dive deep into the negotiations about the revision of the bloc’s common budget, which includes a €50-billion special fund to provide Ukraine with long-term financial support.

Orbán has equally threatened to derail the fund. 

L'articolo Ever further to the East – The European Council greenlights accession negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova (while Georgia is now officially a candidate). Viktor Orban finally lifted Hungary’s veto, but it is not yet clear why. His balancing act has given way and Kiev is beginning to hope, but several countries that have been waiting for years are already complaining about the blatant unequal treatment proviene da Bubble report.

“This is a strong and historic step that paves the way to a stronger EU with Ukraine as its member,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on social media on Wednesday.

“Our country must be in the European Union. Ukrainians deserve it both for their defence of European values and for the fact that even in times of full-scale war, we keep our word,” he said.

The European Commission, which also paved the way for discussions to begin with Moldova, recommended that the talks should formally be launched once Ukraine satisfies remaining conditions related to reining in corruption, adopting a law on lobbying in line with EU standards and strengthening national minority safeguards.

“Today is a historic day,” commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

“Ukraine continues to face tremendous hardship and tragedy provoked by Russia’s war of aggression, and yet the Ukrainians are deeply reforming their country.”

Ukraine launched its bid to become part of the EU after Moscow’s invasion in February 2022 and was officially named a candidate to join in June that year.

Former Soviet republic Moldova had applied at the same time as Ukraine.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu thanked Brussels and said her country was “firmly on the path for EU membership and we will continue working relentlessly towards this goal”.

The EU’s 27 leaders still have to sign off on the recommendations at a summit in December, and the membership process is contingent upon the completion of required reforms with regular progress assessments as part of a long and vigorous process.

Other EU hopefuls

Brussels also suggested member states grant Georgia candidate status.

“I rejoice with the people of Georgia,” Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili wrote online.

Balkan country Bosnia and Herzegovina did not get approval yet again, having come short on expected membership criteria, von der Leyen said.

Other EU hopefuls include Turkey, which began accession talks in 2005, but those are at a dead end. Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia are also stuck in negotiations.

The war in Ukraine has breathed new life into the EU’s stalled push to take on new members as the bloc looks to keep Russian and Chinese influence at bay.

The commission in June last year set Kyiv seven reform benchmarks to complete, including tackling corruption and curbing oligarch power, before talks should start.

Von der Leyen said Ukraine had now completed “well over 90 percent of the necessary steps”.

The positive signal from the EU provides a vital boost to Ukraine at a difficult time. However, whether EU countries will be ready by December to approve the talks with the war-torn country of more than 40 million people is uncertain.

L'articolo And then they talk so much about Hungary… – The EU is recommending the opening of negotiations, while on the Kiev side there is a power struggle, complete with parcel bombs and elections which Zelensky himself rejects. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink proviene da Bubble report.

Standing next to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, she said Ukraine had reached many milestones despite the war with Russia, highlighting Kyiv’s judicial reforms.

“I must say you have made excellent progress,” she told a joint news conference in Kyiv.

“I know you are in the process of completing outstanding reforms. If this happens and, I am confident, Ukraine can reach its ambitious goal of moving to the next stage in the accession process.”

The EU assessment due on Wednesday is expected to say how far Ukraine has advanced in fulfilling various economic, legal, and other criteria to clear the way for accession talks in December.

Ukraine, which applied to join the European Union days after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, sees membership as a top priority.

The Ukrainian government has implemented all the steps required to ensure its readiness, Zelenskiy said, vowing to press on with reforms. He stressed efforts to fight corruption, improve transparency, and reduce the influence of oligarchs on the economy.

“This visit comes at a historical moment … when we are waiting on a political decision about Ukraine. This decision will have a pivotal impact not only for Ukraine but for entire Europe,” Zelenskiy said.

“Ukraine does not stop in transforming our institutions, reforms will continue.”

The EU’s 27 members are due at a summit in December to decide whether to allow Kyiv to begin accession negotiations, which would require unanimous backing.

Ukraine’s bid received a boost on Thursday when German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said she was confident the EU would advance Ukraine’s application next month.

Membership talks typically take years and involve extensive legal, political, and economic reforms. Ukraine’s case has been made much harder by the war.

Von der Leyen’s visit comes as Ukraine’s troops face battle fatigue and concerns swirl over the future of vital U.S. military assistance.

The EU had already provided 83 billion euros for Ukraine and plans to send another 3 billion euros by the end of this year, she said.

Von der Leyen also said work on a proposal on pooling profits from frozen Russian state assets to help Ukraine with reconstruction was ongoing with a result expected before the end of the year.

L'articolo I never stopped loving you… – Lady Ursula flies to Kyiv and meets Zelensky to prove that Brussels still backs Ukraine. No one feels any “fatigue”, Meloni was only speaking on her behalf. It was just a big misunderstanding, until new order from Washington is received, of course proviene da Bubble report.