Summit with the EU in kyiv, Putin threatens Westerners

► kyiv hosts a summit with the EU

A candidate for EU membership, Ukraine is hosting a summit on Friday 3 February with European representatives, a “strong symbol” according to the Commission of the support of the twenty-seven “in the face of the unjustified aggression” of Russia, which recently regained ground in the East.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in kyiv on Thursday, accompanied by the head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell and around fifteen European commissioners. The President of the European Council Charles Michel is also expected, for discussions which will address in particular the steps for Ukraine’s accession to the EU, a difficult process that kyiv intends to accelerate.

► Ukraine “deserves” to start “this year” to discuss its accession to the EU

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday that his country deserved to start talks to join the European Union “this year”.

According to Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian and European leaders share the conviction “that only together can a strong Ukraine and a strong European Union protect the life we ​​value”. “Our future integration must give energy and motivation to our population to fight against obstacles and threats,” he continued, believing that international pressure on Russia should increase further.

► Arms deliveries to Ukraine: Putin threatens Westerners with reprisals

Vladimir Putin swore on Thursday to have something to “respond” to Westerners delivering weapons to Ukraine, a threat that comes amid speculation about a new Russian military escalation.

His spokesman Dmitri Peskov specified that Russia would use all its potential to respond to Western arms deliveries. In the fall, Vladimir Putin had made similar remarks, interpreted as an allusion to nuclear weapons.

► Sending planes to Ukraine would take “months” or even “years” of training

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stressed Thursday that sending fighter jets to Ukraine would require “months” or even “years” of training for pilots, recalling that he was looking for the most effective way to help kyiv.

The important thing is to know “what would make the most difference”, Rishi Sunak said, highlighting his decision to supply 14 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine to be delivered by the end of March.

► kyiv accuses Russians of sexually exploiting children abducted in Ukraine

Ukraine’s human rights commissioner on Thursday accused Russians of abducting children from his country to fuel sex trafficking.

“Accounts (on the application) Telegram reveal that the Russians kidnap Ukrainian children and make sex videos with them,” said the human rights commissioner of the Ukrainian parliament. “For example, they offer for 250,000 rubles (more than 3,200 euros) a Ukrainian boy,” he added, assuring that it was an orphan.

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