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European Union grants candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova

Data: EU; map: Jacque Schrag/Axios European Union leaders granted EU candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova on Thursday as they assembled in Brussels for a two-day European Council summit.Why it matters: The move, which required the unanimous consent of all EU members, is the first step in what could be a long process towards full EU membership. But it is a symbolic victory for Ukraine amid the ongoing war with Russia.The EU's executive arm endorsed Ukraine for candidate status last week after the leaders of France, Germany and Italy also expressed their support.What they're saying: "A historic moment. Today marks a crucial step on your path towards the EU," European Council president Charles Michel tweeted confirming the news."Our future is together," he added, congratulating Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Moldovan President Maia Sandu."Sincerely commend EU leaders’ decision at #EUCO to grant Ukraine candidate status. It’s a unique and historical moment in Ukraine-EU relations," Zelensky tweeted."Today is a good day for Europe," European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen tweeted in congratulations, adding, "your countries are part of our European family."Belgi...
— (Axios) (June 23)   (Pocket)

Convoy of ‘grain trains’ could stop Putin’s blockade of Black Sea ports

As leaders of the G7 group of wealthy nations (US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Canada) prepared to discuss the food crisis at a summit in Germany, Environment Secretary George Eustice told LBC Radio: “It’s a big challenge.
— (Weekly Standard) (June 27)   (Pocket)

Ukraine War Blows Up EU's Superpower Delusion

Ukraine War Blows Up EU's Superpower Delusion Authored by Soeren Kern via The Gatestone Institute, The leaders of France, Germany and Italy have jointly visited Ukraine in an attempt to present a unified European front regarding the Russia-Ukraine war. The one-day visit was long on rhetoric but short on substance: European unity remains elusive. When Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine on February 24, the European Unionrespondedthe following day with a package of unprecedented economic sanctions aimed at isolating Russia. The EU, which waspraisedfor displaying "determination, unity and speed" in its response to Putin, wassaidto be facing a "transformative moment" that would allow the bloc to become a "geostrategic actor" on the global stage. An observerclaimedthat the EU had become "a top geopolitical protagonist" and that Europe "discovered that it's a superpower." On March 21, less than a month after Russia invaded Ukraine, European officialsannouncedan ambitious plan for the EU to achieve "strategic autonomy" aimed at placing the 27-member bloc on equal footing with China and the United States. The implicit objective was to enable a "sover...
— (ZeroHedge Opinion) (June 23)   (Pocket)

International Attitudes Toward the U.S., NATO and Russia in a Time of Crisis

This Pew Research Center analysis focuses on public opinion of the United States, Russia and NATO in 17 countries in North America, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. The report draws on nationally representative surveys of 19,903 adults from Feb. 14 to May 11, 2022. All surveys were conducted over the phone with adults in Canada, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea. Surveys were conducted face to face in Poland and Israel and online in Australia.
— (Pew Research Center) (June 22)   (Pocket)

European leaders meet with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to show unity and support - NPR

Ukraine has criticized some key European countries. It says they haven't done enough to support Ukraine in its war against Russia. So in a show of European unity, the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Romania took a train today to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. There, they met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and visited a site where Russian forces have been accused of widespread abuses. NPR's Greg Myre is in Kyiv and joins us now. Hi, Greg.
— (NPR) (June 16)   (Pocket)

France, Germany, Italy, Romania Back Ukraine's Bid for EU Membership

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— (The Wall Street Journal) (June 16)   (Pocket)