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Added on the 20/01/2015 19:45:17 - Copyright : France 24 EN
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal describes the start of Ukraine's EU accession talks as "a historic day", speaking as membership negotiations are launched. "The European Union signifies more than a physical space" Shmygal says, "it represents value and hope". The opening of talks sets the war-torn country on a long path towards membership that Russia has tried to block. SOUNDBITE
"Sweden is supporting Ukraine with its 16th aid package, its largest to date worth 13.3 billion kronor", i.e. 1.25 billion dollars, tells the Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch during a press conference focusing on military support of the Nordic country to Ukraine. SOUNDBITE
Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk, his Ukrainian counterpart Denis Shmygal and their delegations pose for a photo in Warsaw ahead of bilateral talks on a dispute over farming imports and blockades by disgruntled Polish farmers on the shared border. While Poland has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine, ties have soured over the past months amid ongoing economic disputes, and as farmers complain imports from Ukraine have undercut prices for their own produce. IMAGES
Images show Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arriving in Kyiv to preside over a G7 virtual meeting on Ukraine on the second anniversary of the Russian invasion, the Italian government announced. IMAGES
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky warns European leaders that Russia's Vladimir Putin would exploit any failure to agree to launch his country's EU membership talks. "People in Europe won't see any benefit if Moscow receives a pass from Brussels in the form of negativity towards Ukraine. Putin will surely use this against you personally and against all of Europe," Zelensky tells an EU summit by videolink. SOUNDBITE ++ TEXT 347R2JH
Germany announces 1.3 billion euros more in military gear for Ukraine in its fight against Russia, including four further IRIS T-SLM air defence systems as well as artillery ammunition. The package was unveiled by German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius after talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov in Kyiv. SOUNDBITE