European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen applauds a speach by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. EPA
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen applauds a speach by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. EPA
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen applauds a speach by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. EPA
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen applauds a speach by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. EPA

World

Europe

Eastern Europe swings behind Ukraine's EU membership bid

But bloc's leaders and western capitals are sceptical of waiving lengthy application process

Tim Stickings
Tim Stickings

March 02, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Live updates: follow the latest news on Russia-Ukraine

At least 10 members of the European Union are backing Ukraine’s plea to be admitted to the bloc, but senior figures in Brussels and major EU capitals are cool on the prospects for a fast-track admission.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who renewed his appeal for membership on Wednesday, says the country has proved itself a worthy European ally by resisting Russia’s invasion and wants EU leaders to waive the usually protracted application process.

The strongest supporters of his bid are in Eastern Europe, reflecting sympathy in the former Soviet sphere of influence for countries facing domination by Moscow.

A letter from the presidents of eight countries who joined the EU in the 2000s — Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia — said Ukraine deserved an “immediate EU accession perspective”.

It called on the EU to immediately grant Ukraine candidate status, which is currently held by five other countries, and then begin negotiations on full membership.

These typically take 10 years or more and require a country to meet the EU’s standards on issues such as corruption, the environment and the rule of law, all areas where Brussels has identified issues in Ukraine.

The last country to join, Croatia, entered in 2013 after applying in 2003, while other applications such as those from Turkey and North Macedonia have taken even longer. Politicians within the EU have spoken of “enlargement fatigue” after a series of crises in the bloc.

Damage after the shelling of buildings in central Kharkiv, Ukraine. EPA
Damage after the shelling of buildings in central Kharkiv, Ukraine. EPA
Workers from a local construction company weld anti-tank obstacles to be placed on roads around Kyiv as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues. Reuters
Workers from a local construction company weld anti-tank obstacles to be placed on roads around Kyiv as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues. Reuters
Anti-war protesters attach sunflowers to barriers in front of the Russian embassy. Reuters
Anti-war protesters attach sunflowers to barriers in front of the Russian embassy. Reuters
Ukrainian volunteers prepare food for displaced people outside Lviv railway station in western Ukraine. AP
Ukrainian volunteers prepare food for displaced people outside Lviv railway station in western Ukraine. AP
A Ukrainian soldier holds an anti-tank launcher north-east of Kyiv. AFP
A Ukrainian soldier holds an anti-tank launcher north-east of Kyiv. AFP
Ukrainian refugees rest at Warsaw East train station in Poland. EPA
Ukrainian refugees rest at Warsaw East train station in Poland. EPA
Children look out from a carriage window as a train prepares to depart from a station in Lviv to the town of Uzhhorod near the border with Slovakia. AFP
Children look out from a carriage window as a train prepares to depart from a station in Lviv to the town of Uzhhorod near the border with Slovakia. AFP
A girl who fled Ukraine is reunited with her father in Medyka, south-eastern Poland. AP Photo
A girl who fled Ukraine is reunited with her father in Medyka, south-eastern Poland. AP Photo
Tears outside a house damaged by a Russian airstrike in Gorenka, on the outskirts of Kyiv. AP Photo
Tears outside a house damaged by a Russian airstrike in Gorenka, on the outskirts of Kyiv. AP Photo
A civil defence member is poised to shoot as a vehicle approaches a checkpoint in Gorenka. AP Photo
A civil defence member is poised to shoot as a vehicle approaches a checkpoint in Gorenka. AP Photo
A Ukrainian civil defence member in the garden of a house damaged by a Russian airstrike. AP Photo
A Ukrainian civil defence member in the garden of a house damaged by a Russian airstrike. AP Photo
Members of the US Army 3rd Infantry Division board a plane bound for Germany in Savannah, Georgia. EPA
Members of the US Army 3rd Infantry Division board a plane bound for Germany in Savannah, Georgia. EPA
Prayers for peace in Ukraine at the Vatican's Saint Peter's Square. AFP
Prayers for peace in Ukraine at the Vatican's Saint Peter's Square. AFP
A woman (right) hugs an arriving passenger from a train carrying refugees at Berlin's central station. EPA
A woman (right) hugs an arriving passenger from a train carrying refugees at Berlin's central station. EPA
Firefighters battle a blaze in a Kharkiv police building hit by shelling. AFP
Firefighters battle a blaze in a Kharkiv police building hit by shelling. AFP
A Ukrainian woman makes a phone call after crossing the Slovakian border. AFP
A Ukrainian woman makes a phone call after crossing the Slovakian border. AFP
A doctor takes shelter in the basement of a Kyiv perinatal centre. Reuters
A doctor takes shelter in the basement of a Kyiv perinatal centre. Reuters
Debris which locals say was caused by shelling in separatist-controlled Horlivka, Donetsk. Reuters
Debris which locals say was caused by shelling in separatist-controlled Horlivka, Donetsk. Reuters
MPs in London give a standing ovation to Ukraine ambassador Vadym Prystaiko, who was in the public gallery. AP
MPs in London give a standing ovation to Ukraine ambassador Vadym Prystaiko, who was in the public gallery. AP
Distraught women and children fleeing Ukraine wait to enter Poland at the Korczowa crossing. Getty
Distraught women and children fleeing Ukraine wait to enter Poland at the Korczowa crossing. Getty
Newborn Ivan lies next to his mother as they shelter in the basement of a Kyiv perinatal centre. Reuters
Newborn Ivan lies next to his mother as they shelter in the basement of a Kyiv perinatal centre. Reuters
Firefighters hand water to people in a Ukrainian train full of refugees in Przemysl, Poland. Reuters
Firefighters hand water to people in a Ukrainian train full of refugees in Przemysl, Poland. Reuters
Ukrainian refugees queue to file for residency permits at Prague's police headquarters. AFP
Ukrainian refugees queue to file for residency permits at Prague's police headquarters. AFP
Firefighters work to contain a blaze in buildings housing the Kharkiv regional police department. AFP
Firefighters work to contain a blaze in buildings housing the Kharkiv regional police department. AFP
A woman and her children sit in a tent in the Kyiv subway, using it as a bomb shelter. AP
A woman and her children sit in a tent in the Kyiv subway, using it as a bomb shelter. AP
Firefighters work to extinguish a blaze at the Kharkiv National University building, which city officials said was damaged by Russian shelling. Reuters
Firefighters work to extinguish a blaze at the Kharkiv National University building, which city officials said was damaged by Russian shelling. Reuters
An elderly woman comforts a child as they take shelter inside an underground station in Kyiv. Reuters
An elderly woman comforts a child as they take shelter inside an underground station in Kyiv. Reuters
People queue at a pharmacy in central Kyiv. Reuters
People queue at a pharmacy in central Kyiv. Reuters
A woman is consoled by a volunteer after fleeing from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at the border crossing in Siret, Romania. Reuters
A woman is consoled by a volunteer after fleeing from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at the border crossing in Siret, Romania. Reuters
A Ukrainian civilian in the city of Zhytomyr practises throwing petrol bombs. Reuters
A Ukrainian civilian in the city of Zhytomyr practises throwing petrol bombs. Reuters
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy poses after an interview with Reuters in Kyiv. Reuters
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy poses after an interview with Reuters in Kyiv. Reuters
A blast is seen at Kyiv's TV tower. Reuters
A blast is seen at Kyiv's TV tower. Reuters
A girl in Siret, Romania, covers herself with a blanket after fleeing from Ukraine. Reuters
A girl in Siret, Romania, covers herself with a blanket after fleeing from Ukraine. Reuters
Ukraine's ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova, acknowledges applause from US first lady Jill Biden as they attend President Joe Biden's first State of the Union address in Washington. AFP
Ukraine's ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova, acknowledges applause from US first lady Jill Biden as they attend President Joe Biden's first State of the Union address in Washington. AFP
A man walks past the remains of Russian military vehicles in Bucha, close to Kyiv. AFP
A man walks past the remains of Russian military vehicles in Bucha, close to Kyiv. AFP
Civilians cross a river on a blown-up bridge on Kyiv's northern front. Defending the capital is a 'key priority', Ukraine's president has said. AFP
Civilians cross a river on a blown-up bridge on Kyiv's northern front. Defending the capital is a 'key priority', Ukraine's president has said. AFP
Russian aircraft on the ground at Luninets Airbase, Belarus, about 50 kilometres north of the Ukrainian border. AFP
Russian aircraft on the ground at Luninets Airbase, Belarus, about 50 kilometres north of the Ukrainian border. AFP
People look at the gutted remains of Russian military vehicles on a road in the town of Bucha. AP
People look at the gutted remains of Russian military vehicles on a road in the town of Bucha. AP
A woman with a child who fled from the war in Ukraine reunite with their family after crossing the border in Medyka, Poland. AP
A woman with a child who fled from the war in Ukraine reunite with their family after crossing the border in Medyka, Poland. AP
Animal keeper Kirilo Trantin comforts an elephant at Kyiv Zoo. AP
Animal keeper Kirilo Trantin comforts an elephant at Kyiv Zoo. AP
An armed man stands by the remains of a Russian military vehicle in Bucha. AP
An armed man stands by the remains of a Russian military vehicle in Bucha. AP
Ukrainian families say goodbye as they prepare to board a bus to Poland at Lviv, western Ukraine. AP
Ukrainian families say goodbye as they prepare to board a bus to Poland at Lviv, western Ukraine. AP
Paramedics move a man who was wounded by shelling in a residential area of Mariupol, south-eastern Ukraine. AP
Paramedics move a man who was wounded by shelling in a residential area of Mariupol, south-eastern Ukraine. AP
Rescuers work at the site of a Russian strike in Zhytomyr. Reuters
Rescuers work at the site of a Russian strike in Zhytomyr. Reuters
US actor and director Sean Penn attends a press briefing at the Presidential Office in Kyiv. Reuters
US actor and director Sean Penn attends a press briefing at the Presidential Office in Kyiv. Reuters
Demonstrators participate in a protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at Lafayette Square in Washington. AFP
Demonstrators participate in a protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at Lafayette Square in Washington. AFP
Ukrainian soldiers rest while others eat near the front line with Russian troops in northern Kyiv. AP
Ukrainian soldiers rest while others eat near the front line with Russian troops in northern Kyiv. AP
A barricade made of trams, buses and sand bags is seen through the window of car in the northern part of Kyiv. AP
A barricade made of trams, buses and sand bags is seen through the window of car in the northern part of Kyiv. AP
Members of the European Parliament applaud after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's speech at a special session to debate its response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Reuters
Members of the European Parliament applaud after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's speech at a special session to debate its response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Reuters
Ambassadors and diplomats walk out as Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (on screen) speaks during a recorded message at the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. EPA
Ambassadors and diplomats walk out as Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (on screen) speaks during a recorded message at the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. EPA

Croatian President Zoran Milanovic backed Ukraine’s bid on Tuesday and attached a plea for Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to have their applications accelerated.

“Ukraine is subjected to the aggression of the Russian Federation and we must all provide it with all the necessary assistance, which we would expect if we were in the same situation,” Mr Milanovic said.

Hungary, whose government is normally Russia-friendly but has sided with Ukraine over the invasion, similarly urged EU leaders to put the issue on the agenda.

But any accession would require the consent of the EU institutions and all 27 current members, and although none of these have openly come out against it, some have indicated they are reluctant to tear up the long-standing process.

Mr Zelenskyy directly lobbied German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to get behind the application, while Lithuania made the same appeal to French President Emmanuel Macron.

A vote by members of the European Parliament calling for a push towards candidate status had mainly symbolic value as the leaders of the European Commission and European Council are still equivocal.

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said there was no doubt that Ukraine “belongs in our European family” but said there was “still a long path ahead” to full membership.

She suggested the war with Russia would have to end before any membership bid could go forward, with the fate of Ukraine’s government uncertain in the event of a Russian victory.

Council president Charles Michel said Ukraine’s bid would be taken seriously but said opinion was divided among the member states.

And German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Ukraine was part of the “European house” but that a membership bid was “not something that can be completed in a couple of months”.

She said any successful bid would require a “deep and comprehensive transformation process” and suggested Ukraine should receive the same treatment as applicants in the Western Balkans.

An EU evaluation in 2020 gave a mixed verdict on Ukraine’s progress in tackling corruption, with police work said to have improved but few cases resulting in convictions.

The Netherlands, meanwhile, said it was the wrong time to discuss EU membership, while Austria similarly said a fast-tracked Ukrainian accession would not solve the current crisis the country is facing.

From outside the bloc, Turkey said it wanted the “same sensitivity” to be shown to its own long-stalled membership bid as to the application by Ukraine. Britain, which was historically a strong supporter of expanding the EU, is no longer a member.

The discussions are running in parallel to debates around Ukraine's possible membership of Nato. That possibility was one of the main grounds on which Russia claimed to be threatened by its ex-Soviet neighbour.

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Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.

Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines: 

Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.

Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.

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Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.

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Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.

Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com

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Flydubai offers three daily direct flights to Sarajevo and, from June, a daily flight from Thessaloniki from Dubai. A return flight costs from Dhs1,905 including taxes.
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Cricket World Cup League Two: Nepal, Oman, United States tri-series, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu

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Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
On Women's Day
Updated: March 02, 2022, 9:49 AM`
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