Kevin Warsh’s Fed Nomination Raises Questions Over Corporate Ties and U.S.–South Korea Trade Tensions 
Putin Envoy Kirill Dmitriev to Visit Miami for Talks With Trump Administration Officials 
Pierre Poilievre Retains Conservative Leadership After Election Defeat in Canada 
Christian Menefee Wins Texas Special Election, Narrowing GOP House Majority 
Venezuela Proposes Amnesty Law and Plans to Transform Helicoide Prison 
U.S. and El Salvador Sign Landmark Critical Minerals Agreement to Boost Investment and Trade 
Trump Warns UK and Canada Against Deepening Business Ties With China 
Trump Threatens Aircraft Tariffs as U.S.-Canada Jet Certification Dispute Escalates 
U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
Keir Starmer Urges Prince Andrew to Testify in U.S. Epstein Investigation 
Trump’s Iraq Envoy Mark Savaya Ousted Amid U.S.-Iraq Tensions Over Iran Influence 
Israel Intensifies Gaza Airstrikes Amid Ceasefire Tensions 
Zelenskiy Awaits U.S. Details as Ukraine Prepares for Possible Peace Talks Next Week 
Trump Orders DHS to Avoid Protests in Democratic Cities Unless Federal Assets Are Threatened 
Trump Threatens 50% Tariff on Canadian Aircraft Amid Escalating U.S.-Canada Trade Dispute 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
The ongoing war in Ukraine is approaching its fourth month, with Kyiv having applied to become a member of the European Union. According to the European Commission chief, an opinion on whether Ukraine can start the process of becoming an EU member country may be given next week.
Over the weekend, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, providing an update on whether Ukraine could be recommended as a candidate for EU membership. A decision on whether Ukraine can start the process of getting accepted into the EU will be made at the end of next week.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Zelenskyy, von der Leyen said that even though there are administrative reforms made, there is still a lot that needs to be done.
“You have done a lot in strengthening the rule of law, but there is still a need for reforms to be implemented, to fight corruption for example,” said von der Leyen during the press conference.
“All of Europe is a target for Russia and Ukraine is just the first stage in this aggression,” said Zelenskyy at the same press conference. “This is why a positive EU response to the Ukrainian application for membership can be a positive answer to the question of whether the European project has a future at all.”
To note, membership in the European Union is a process that may take years to achieve. All 27 member countries would have to agree to grant Ukraine candidacy status, followed by extensive discussions on reforms that are required before Kyiv could be considered.
Zelenskyy has pushed to fast-track Ukraine’s admission to the European Union to reduce Ukraine’s geopolitical vulnerability after Russia invaded in February.
Along with Ukraine, other countries in the continent have also sought to gain admission into the bloc. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged to help the Western Balkans restart its long campaign for EU membership. In a joint press conference with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti in Pristina, Scholz said he supports Kosovo’s desire to become a member of the European Union.
“It is very important to send a new signal of confidence and hope that this accession process is wanted by the EU with great seriousness, and that is also has a realistic chance if everyone makes an effort,” said Scholz.
