Zelensky’s invitation to personally participate in Thursday’s European summit
Wednesday – 17 Rajab 1444 AH – 08 February 2023 CE Issue Number [16143]
Moscow: Raed Jabr. Brussels: Shawki Al-Rayes
Ukraine described the battles taking place in the east of the country between its forces and the Russian army yesterday as the bloodiest in the past 24 hours since the start of the war, coinciding with Moscow’s announcement that its offensive is advancing successfully, and that its forces are advancing towards the strategic cities of Bakhmut and Vogledar in Donetsk.
Russia has also claimed to have killed large numbers of Ukrainian forces in recent weeks, though both sides give casualty figures that are difficult to verify. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu expressed his satisfaction with the course of the broad Russian offensive in Donbass.
In a related context, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky received an invitation from European Council President Charles Michel to participate “in person” in the upcoming European Union summit.
Asharq Al-Awsat learned from reliable sources that Zelensky will arrive in Brussels on Thursday morning, and will go to the Parliament headquarters. Where he delivers a speech in private, then moves to the adjacent European Council headquarters; Where leaders hold an extraordinary summit.
European diplomatic circles say that Zelensky will insist in his talks with European leaders that the military circumstance in which the war is going through, and the efforts his country has made so far to meet the conditions and achieve the goals required for membership in the Union, qualify it to start negotiations to join the Union before the end of the current year.
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