Ukraine was poised on Thursday to be granted candidate status by the European Union, an important symbolic step in its quest to free itself once and for all from Russia’s unrelenting grip.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the expected decision would take Ukraine “into the light from the darkness”, after lobbying EU leaders to give hope to his people at a traumatic time for the country.
Moldova is also set to be named a candidate, with both countries told that progress towards joining the EU will depend on rooting out corruption and other reforms to meet the bloc’s standards.
The process could take many years and the leader of impatient fellow applicant Albania said the Ukrainian people should have no illusions about a rapid accession to the EU.
But EU leaders meeting in Brussels said candidate status for Ukraine would be a “historic moment”, as European Council President Charles Michel put it, and a show of solidarity while it fights Russia’s offensive.
“History is on the march,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as the 27 fully fledged members prepared to give their verdict on Ukraine’s application.
All 27 need to approve candidate status for Ukraine and Moldova but no country signalled in preliminary talks that it would block the process.
A senior EU official said surprises were always possible but that they did not foresee any problems. Hungary, which has angered allies with its hardball diplomacy over sanctions, has said it supports Ukraine’s application.
Ukraine applied in February and immediately won support from many countries in the former Soviet sphere of influence but senior figures in western Europe were unwilling to tear up the EU’s rule book.
But countries including Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands, which initially expressed reservations, have said they are willing to take the first step on Ukraine’s candidacy.
Germany wants to see language in the conclusions of this week’s EU meeting reflecting the fact that the bloc must also be ready to absorb new members, government sources said.
The commission recommended last week that Ukraine’s application be taken forward on the understanding that it strengthens the integrity of its courts and tackles the “excessive influence” of wealthy oligarchs.
Georgia, another former Soviet country seeking EU membership, is likely to be told it is not yet ready for candidate status like Ukraine or Moldova, but can realise its ambition if it makes the necessary reforms.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Georgia “should not look at that in a negative way … now they have a clear path”.
Ukraine has long sought Nato as well as EU membership, although it has indicated it could drop that demand in any peace deal with Moscow. Preventing Ukraine's western drift was widely seen as the ultimate goal of Russia's invasion in February.
Balkan countries that have been in the EU’s waiting room for longer did not express resentment towards Ukraine’s rapid progress but said it was time their applications were taken forward, too.
Albania and North Macedonia are candidate countries but progress on their applications is effectively blocked by Bulgaria, which has a variety of historical and political grievances with North Macedonia.
That logjam was only made more complicated when the Bulgarian government was defeated in a confidence vote on the eve of Thursday’s summit.
“It’s a disgrace that a Nato country, Bulgaria, kidnaps two other Nato countries … in the midst of a hot war in Europe’s backyard,” said Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama.
He said it was “a good thing to give candidate status [to Ukraine] … but I hope the Ukrainian people will not make many illusions”.
EU officials have spoken of trying to offer applicant countries some of the benefits of being in the European fold before their accession is complete.
Leaders were expected to discuss French President Emmanuel Macron’s idea of a looser geopolitical community that could include Ukraine or even Eurosceptic countries such as Britain.
But Vjosa Osmani, president of fellow applicant Kosovo, expressed hope that Ukraine’s candidate status could provide momentum to the long-stalled applications from the Balkans.
“I don't see any harm whatsoever towards the Western Balkans if Ukraine and Moldova move on, quite the opposite,” she said.
“I believe that by opening their doors to Ukraine and Moldova, the European Union is sending a strong message that this is of geostrategic importance, it's a geopolitical decision and that's exactly what the Western Balkans needs.”
The biog
Mission to Seafarers is one of the largest port-based welfare operators in the world.
It provided services to around 200 ports across 50 countries.
They also provide port chaplains to help them deliver professional welfare services.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Reputation
Taylor Swift
(Big Machine Records)
How Islam's view of posthumous transplant surgery changed
Transplants from the deceased have been carried out in hospitals across the globe for decades, but in some countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, the practise was banned until relatively recently.
Opinion has been divided as to whether organ donations from a deceased person is permissible in Islam.
The body is viewed as sacred, during and after death, thus prohibiting cremation and tattoos.
One school of thought viewed the removal of organs after death as equally impermissible.
That view has largely changed, and among scholars and indeed many in society, to be seen as permissible to save another life.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier
Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August
Group A
Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar
Group B
UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
UAE group fixtures
Sunday Feb 23, 9.30am, v Iran
Monday Feb 25, 1pm, v Kuwait
Tuesday Feb 26, 9.30am, v Saudi
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza, Rohan Mustafa, Alishan Sharafu, Ansh Tandon, Vriitya Aravind, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Karthik Meiyappan, Basil Hameed, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Ayaz, Zahoor Khan, Chirag Suri, Sultan Ahmed
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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Cricket World Cup League Two
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Fixtures
Wednesday January 8 –Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 – Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 – UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Fifa%20World%20Cup%20Qatar%202022%20
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England World Cup squad
Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wkt), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
THE%C2%A0SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.4-litre%20four-cylinder%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20210hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20320Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Starting%20from%20Dh89%2C900%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO
Quarter-finals
Saturday (all times UAE)
England v Australia, 11.15am
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm
Sunday
Wales v France, 11.15am
Japan v South Africa, 2.15pm
Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
The details
Heard It in a Past Life
Maggie Rogers
(Capital Records)
3/5
MATCH INFO
Champions League last 16, first leg
Tottenham v RB Leipzig, Wednesday, midnight (UAE)
Breaking News: The Remaking of Journalism and Why It Matters Now
Alan Rushbridger, Canongate
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Herc's Adventures
Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5
