Ukraine President Zelenskyy signs EU membership application amid war with Russia
Kiev (Ukraine), March 1: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed an application for membership of his country in the European Union on Monday, informed the Ukrainian Parliament.
Parliament of Ukraine took to Twitter to announce, "President @ZelenskyyUa has signed application for the membership of #Ukraine in the European Union."
The move is likely to escalate the Russian aggression in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the ceasefire talks between the Russian and Ukrainian sides ended inconclusively on Monday.
In the midst of the ongoing tensions between Moscow and Kiev, Zelensky had requested to be admitted to the European Union, earlier in the day.
"Our goal is to be together with all Europeans and, most importantly, to be on an equal footing," Zelensky stated during a video address.
Also Read | Russia-Ukraine Talks: First round of ceasefire negotiations inconclusive, fighting escalates
Meanwhile, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell asserted that Brussels is determined to send additional weapons supplies to Ukraine.
"We are stepping up our support for Ukraine," Borrell added.
Further, following hours long inconclusive negotiations on Monday, Russia shelled the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv as it continued its invasion on the sixth day.
Despite mounting global pressure that pressed war crimes probes opened against Moscow, sanctions smashing its economy and FIFA banning it from the World Cup, the Russian side has extended its offensive on Tuesday.
Russia continued to assault residential areas after their first talks since the war began failed to produce a breakthrough Monday, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for a global ban on Russian planes and ships.
The European Union has added prominent Kremlin-linked oligarchs and Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman to its sanctions blacklist as part of its newest round of punishment for the invasion of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, over 350 civilians, including 14 children, have been killed during the invasion and more than half a million people have fled the country, according to Ukrainian officials.
Also Read | Why is Russia declaring war against Ukraine? Here’s what you should know
-PTC News
