Ukraine warns of 'devastating consequences' over EU bid

Ukraine's foreign minister has warned European Union leaders that if they fail to agree to open membership talks with Kyiv at their summit this week it will have "devastating consequences".

"I cannot imagine," Dmytro Kuleba told reporters in Brussels "I don't even want to talk about the devastating consequences that will occur shall the council fail to make this decision."

Mr Kuleba is in Brussels to attend a meeting of EU foreign ministers ahead of Thursday's summit of European leaders, which is due to decide whether to open formal membership talks with Ukraine and other candidate countries.

Ukraine's hopes for formal negotiations have broad support in Europe, keen to demonstrate solidarity with Kyiv amid the carnage unleashed by Russia's invasion, but Hungary has threatened to veto any decision this week.

"I hope that European unity will not be broken, because this isn't the moment to weaken our support to Ukraine," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said ahead of a meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers.

Why Hungary wants to stall Ukraine's EU hopes

The EU's 27 leaders will meet on Thursday but Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban - Russia's closest friend in the bloc - is threatening to block billions in aid and delay EU membership talks for Kyiv.

Finland's Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen called Hungary's position "very, very deplorable".

"It is crucial that we keep on aiding Ukraine for as long as it's needed, and it's not only for the cause of Ukraine, but also for our own cause," she said.

European diplomats believe that Mr Orban is stalling support for Ukraine to pressure Brussels to release billions of euros of EU support to Budapest frozen over a rule-of-law dispute.

"This shouldn't be a game of bargaining, but of course, in this situation, we need to find all channels possible which can aid in finding a conclusion," Ms Valtonen said.

Latvian Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins said Hungary's position was a "challenge".

"In Europe, we've faced many challenges, internal challenges in the past, and each time we've risen to the occasion and we've overcome them," he said.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has also called on Western allies to send a "message" to Russian President Vladimir Putin by renewing their support for Ukraine.

Russia's war in Ukraine was one that would likely "drag on for a long time", Mr Scholz said at a press conference.

"That is why it is important to formulate a long-term perspective that we are prepared to support Ukraine for as long as it is necessary and to the extent it is necessary," he said.

At the summit this week the EU is eyeing agreements on giving Ukraine €50 billion more in financial aid, topping up a weapons fund for Kyiv by €5 billion and opening talks to join the bloc next year.

UK to send mine-hunting ships

Britain will send two navy mine-hunting ships to Ukraine to aid detection of Russian mines in the Black Sea and help Kyiv restore maritime exports, the UK government has said.

Ukraine's ability to move exports by sea has been severely impacted since Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and his blockade in the Black Sea.

"These minehunters will deliver vital capability to Ukraine which will help save lives at sea and open up vital export routes," Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said.

The transfer of the vessels to Ukraine's armed forces comes with Mr Shapps and his Norwegian counterpart due to launch a new defence initiative later today, the Maritime Capability Coalition.

"This capability boost marks the beginning of a new dedicated effort by the UK, Norway and our allies to strengthen Ukraine's maritime capabilities," Mr Shapps said.

The initiative will enhance Ukraine's ability to defend its sovereign waters and bolster security in the Black Sea, he said.

The transfer was agreed through meetings of the 50-nation strong Ukraine Defence Contact Group.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has repeatedly stressed "unwavering" support for Ukraine.

Mr Shapps was also expected to announce further details of UK military support to Ukraine at the launch.