War in Ukraine: peace conference in Switzerland, EU accession negotiations… update on the situation

Le président Volodymyr Zelensky est actuellement en Suisse pour le Sommet pour la pour la paix en Ukraine. MAXPPP – URS FLUEELER

Every day, Midi Libre takes stock of the situation in Ukraine. This Saturday, June 15, 2024, discover the latest news around this conflict.

The ambassadors of the European Union agreed this Friday, June 14, to formally open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova during intergovernmental conferences which will take place will be held on June 25, announced the Belgian presidency of the EU.

This agreement means that Hungary is, for the moment, not opposed to Ukraine’s accession to the EU. Budapest, which maintains close ties with Moscow, has been skeptical about opening accession negotiations with Kyiv. The Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, has considered in the past that the conditions were not met to begin such negotiations, despite the recommendation to this effect made in November by the European Commission.

The European Commission indicated last week that Ukraine and Moldova met the necessary criteria for accession negotiations to formally begin. The opening of accession negotiations must be unanimously approved by the Twenty-Seven. The accession process, accompanied by multiple political, economic and legal criteria, takes years.

The United States promises new aid of $1.5 billion

The leaders of around a hundred states and organizations met in Switzerland for the conference for peace in Ukraine. On this occasion, American Vice President Kamala Harris announced on June 15 additional aid of more than $1.5 billion to Kyiv for its humanitarian and energy needs.

This aid provides $500 million for the energy sector and the earmarking of $324 million previously promised for energy infrastructure repairs, Kamala Harris' office said. An envelope of more than $379 million will be devoted to humanitarian aid (food, medical supplies, hygiene products, shelter, water).

This peace summit aims to increase diplomatic pressure on Russia, but the absence of Moscow's powerful allies, such as China, limits its scope.

After having said that it would consider its participation, China finally declined the invitation sent in January by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to his counterpart Xi Jinping, citing the need to prevent it from taking part. absence of Russia at the conference. Hopes of succeeding in isolating Moscow were dampened by Beijing's announcement.