Calls to grant Ukraine EU candidate status

The Capitals brings you the latest news from across Europe, through on-the-ground reporting by EURACTIV’s media network. You can subscribe to the newsletter here.

Before you start reading today’s edition of the Capitals, catch up with all the latest developments since Russia invaded Ukraine.

Also, have a look at the latest article from Thursday night With Kyiv under siege, EU leaders pledge to hold the Kremlin accountable, by Alexandra Brzozowski.

The European news you deserve to read. Welcome to The Capitals by EURACTIV.

In today’s news from the Capitals:

Political and civil society figures from various EU member states call for Ukraine to be recognised as an EU candidate country, following Russia’s invasion on Thursday.

Ukraine’s President Zelenskiy made a passionate plea in an exchange with EU leaders on Thursday evening but received a lesser response than hoped for. Read more.

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BERLIN

German Ukraine arm supplies debate reignites as pledged helmets still not delivered. After Russia’s attack on Ukraine, calls to reconsider delivering defensive weapons to Ukraine have emerged in Germany. The government, however, seems unlikely to change tack despite the fact the previously promised assistance still has not been delivered Read more.

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VIENNA

Austria willing to admit Ukrainian refugees, despite restrictive migrant policy. Austria will assist its neighbouring states in dealing with the expected influx from Ukraine following Russia’s military attack by admitting Ukrainian refugees despite its general restrictive migrant policy. Read more.

UK AND IRELAND

LONDON

UK promises Russia ‘economic pain’ from sanctions. Russian banks will have their assets frozen and will be shut out from the UK financial system as part of a new set of sanctions announced by the government on Thursday. Read more.

NORDICS AND BALTICS

HELSINKI

Finland does not need Russian gas. If the list of Russian sanctions were to include the country’s energy sector, Finland would still have enough energy to satisfy its demand for natural gas. Read more.

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VILNIUS

Lithuania declares state of emergency following Russia’s Ukraine invasion. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda on Thursday signed a decree declaring a state of emergency, which parliament approved unanimously during an extraordinary session the same day. Read more.

EUROPE’S SOUTH

ROME

Draghi: Dialogue with Kremlin now impossible. Dialogue with Russia is now impossible, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi told reporters on Thursday after Russia invade Ukraine earlier that morning. Read more.

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MADRID

Inflation, gas supply two major concerns for Spain. The “flagrant violation” of international law by Russia “must not go unpunished”, warned Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Thursday, noting that Russia’s actions and their impact on the Spanish and EU economies are also a major concern for Madrid. Read more.

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LISBON

Portugal: West, NATO must be prepared for all Ukraine scenarios. Western and NATO member countries must be prepared “for all scenarios” and work simultaneously on defence, economic and financial sanctions, Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva said on Thursday. Read more.

VISEGRAD

WARSAW

Poland prepares to accept Ukrainian refugees, with US help. Poland is preparing to receive people from its western neighbour Ukraine who are fleeing their country following Russia’s invasion on Thursday, for which it will receive US help. Read more.

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PRAGUE

Prague suspends visa application process for Russian citizens. The Czech government decided to “suspend the processing of visa applications for Russian citizens” as part of its additional national measures to complement the EU’s sanctions against Russia, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced on Thursday. Read more.

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BUDAPEST

Hungary prepares for influx of Ukrainian refugees. Hungary will offer humanitarian aid to citizens fleeing Ukraine following Russia’s military attack on Thursday, said Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, adding that sending troops or weapons to its neighbouring country is out of the question. Read more.

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BRATISLAVA

Slovakia to secure eastern border, promises solidarity with Ukrainians. Slovakia will send 1,500 soldiers to secure the eastern border and help refugees, with Prime Minister Eduard Heger (OĽaNO) promising to keep borders open and calling on all Slovaks to accept the refugees fleeing from war. Read more.

NEWS FROM THE BALKANS

War with Russia and what it means for the Western Balkans. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has sent shockwaves through the world, particularly through the Western Balkans- a tinderbox of ethnic and political tensions maintained by strong ties with the US and Europe. While most countries in the region side with Ukraine and the West, Russia’s influence is potent, and its biggest local ally, Serbia, has so far remained silent on its stance.

Drawing on the EURACTIV network, we took a look at what war in Ukraine means for the Western Balkans and how Serbia’s stance could impact the fragility of regional peace. Read more.

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SOFIA

Bulgaria prepared to pay for Russian gas ‘Cold-War-style’. Bulgaria currently has no problem with gas and oil supplies from Russia, for which there is no delay, but that does not mean there is no risk, Energy Minister Alexander Nikolov said on Thursday. Read more.

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BUCHAREST

Romania will not be drawn into Ukraine conflict, says president. Romania will not be drawn into the Russia-Ukraine conflict and will ensure the “security and safety” of its citizens are safeguarded, President Klaus Iohannis has said. Read more.

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BELGRADE

Serbia yet to comment on war in Ukraine. Serbia still has not issued a statement on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine despite it being expected from President Aleksandar Vučić on Thursday. Read more.

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CHISINAU

Moldova declares state of emergency in response to Ukraine crisis. Parliament approved a 60-day state of emergency for the entire country in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, following a request from the government. Read more.

AGENDA:

EU: EU foreign ministers set to formally approve second sanctions package on Russia /
NATO leaders meet for a virtual summit in Brussels to discuss next steps after Russia invaded Ukraine.
France: EU economy, finance ministers meet, potentially to deal with the economic fallout of the Russia crisis.
Netherlands: Most Covid restrictions lifted.
Luxembourg: European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas meets with Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel.
Poland: Presidents of Bucharest Nine (B9) grouping of central and eastern European countries meet on Russian-Ukrainian crisis.
Serbia: Foreign Minister Nikola Selaković to visit North Macedonia.