European Union Split over Expanding Bloc to Include Russia-hit Ukraine
After Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to the European Union for Kyiv's inclusion in the top European body, there are reports of split within the organisation over the speculated merger. Top European Union official Charles Michel said that there were disagreements among the 27 member states on enlarging the power bloc.
As per Michel, Ukraine would have to officially submit a request to join EU before its member states, who would have to approve the membership unanimously.
Zelensky had appealed for Ukraine to be included in the EU amid its defence against the Russian invasion.
Zelensky's appeal comes amid the first round of negotiations between delegations between Russia and Ukraine in Belarus. Ahead of the meet, the Ukrainian President had demanded 'immediate ceasefire' and the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Ukrainian territory.
Russian Forces Destroy World's Biggest Cargo plane in Ukraine
The world's largest aircraft, the Antonov An-225, nicknamed 'Mriya' (Dream in Ukrainian), was destroyed in the battle of Antonov Airport during the ongoing Russian onslaught on Ukraine.
The Antonov An-225 Mriya aircraft took its first flight on December 21, 1988.
Designed as a shuttle carrier aircraft for the Soviet space program, the 84-metres long Mriya could carry ultra-heavy and oversized freight weighing up to 250,000 kg internally or 200,000 kg on the upper fuselage at a speed of 850 km per hour.
It held multiple records, including being the heaviest aircraft ever built and having the largest wingspan of any aircraft in operation service. It had the wingspan of almost the length of a cricket stadium.
UNGA President Shahid Calls for Immediate Ceasefire
Russia's military offensive is a violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, President of the UN General Assembly Abdulla Shahid said as he called for an immediate ceasefire and full return to diplomacy and dialogue.
Shahid, presiding over a rare emergency special session of the 193-member UN body on Ukraine, voiced grave concern about the fast-deteriorating situation and ongoing military action in Ukraine.
The military offensive by the Russian Federation is a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and is inconsistent with the Charter of the United Nations.
As Belarusian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko hosted the first face-to-face talks between the Russian and Ukrainian delegation since Russia's special military operation in eastern Ukraine, Shahid said this rare window of opportunity has opened up for dialogue.