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EU far from admitting Ukraine — Macron

"The adoption of any new states requires a profound reform of the rules," the French president said

BRUSSELS, December 15. /TASS/. The European Union has a long way to go before it can admit Ukraine as its member, French President Emmanuel Macron said.

"We are very far from admitting Ukraine," he told a news conference after the EU summit. "The admission of any new states requires a profound reform of our rules."

He also said that he hopes that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, "bearing in mind the fact that his legal interests have been taken into account, will act as a European and not take hostage Europe’s political future."

Orban strongly objects to Ukraine’s membership in the European Union. According to the Politico newspaper, during an EU summit on Thursday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz suggested that Orban go out for coffee when the rest discussed a plan on beginning talks on Ukraine’s accession to the EU. With the Hungarian prime minister out, the EU leaders finally agreed to begin these talks.

During the summit, Orban also said that he had vetoed a resolution on a long-term program of financial aid to Ukraine, which provides for the allocation of 50 billion euro before the end of 2027. Thirty-three billion of this sum are to be loaned to Kiev, and 17 billion will be provided as grants, or gratis. The assistance program was among the summit’s key topics.

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Ukraine France Emmanuel Macron

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It is unclear yet if there were any casualties

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Mikhail Bogdanov added that it allows using those debts "to implement socio-economic projects directly in the country"

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The ministry provided live-recording footage showing direct hits on Ukrainian military vehicles

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Russian emergencies chief visits Cuba

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Africa to become advanced continent, Russian diplomat says

The continent’s development processes are gaining momentum, Mikhail Bogdanov noted

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Ukrainian General Staff reports difficult situation along entire frontline

It also acknowledged the supremacy of the Russian army in equipment and personnel

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FSB foils attempted terrorist attack on power station in Nizhny Tagil

It was revealed that the detainee had materials for producing an improvised explosive device and had been communicating with Ukrainian security services via Telegram

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The meeting involves consultations on security, justice and public order

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Frank Giletti asked to speed up the commissioning of previously ordered Rafale planes to the armed forces

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Russian lower house passes third reading of bill banning child-free propaganda

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It is reported that fighting in the settlement itself is taking place at the moment

Africa goes through second 'awakening,' now from neocolonial oppression — Lavrov

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Combat experience distinguishes Su-57 among fifth-generation fighters

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Mi-171A3 helicopter draws interest from partners in China — Russian Helicopters

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Trump's planned key appointments

Trump appointed Congressman Michael Waltz (Republican, Florida) as national security adviser

Ukraine’s troops south of Kurakhovo caught in pincers — military sources

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Trump appoints Florida Rep. Mike Waltz National Security Advisor

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Musk doubles down on his opinion about 'endless war' in Ukraine

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US military strikes car carrying Houthi rebel leaders — TV

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Over 1,000 dead seals found on Caspian coast in Kazakhstan

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China puts army on alert in South China Sea

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Ukraine aims to call up 1 mln people in eastern areas by end of 2024 — official

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At least ten Ukrainian troops were killed

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Russian politician condemns destruction of dam on Kurakhovo reservoir as Kiev’s terror act

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Patel also insisted that "Russian forces have trained the DPRK soldiers in artillery, in UAV, and basic infantry operations, including trench clearing, which are critical skills for frontline operations"

Baltic Sea will never turn into 'NATO lake' — Russian MFA

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US delivers strikes on infrastructure of pro-Iranian militants in Syria — CENTCOM

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Some 300 Germans eager to move to Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod Region — authorities

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Top Russian security official hails strategic cooperation with China

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Russia supports new UNSC draft resolution on Gaza — envoy

Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya noted that Resolution 2735 was only a tool to gain time for Israel

Ukrainian forces ready to withdraw from Kurakhovo, but no order yet — serviceman

According to the report, the Russian army is "attacking from three sides"

Amount of Russian assets frozen in Switzerland unchanged since August — agency

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US to continue arms supplies to Israel — news portal

According to Axios, "some of Blinken's senior aides and senior White House officials thought the ultimatum was effective and pushed Israel to change course"

Bulgarian president calls for using all diplomatic opportunities to end Ukraine conflict

According to Rumen Radev, Europe wants the conflict in Ukraine "to finish as soon as possible"