Kiev [Ukraine], May 24: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has told European Union leaders that now is the time to begin the process of Ukraine's accession to the bloc, describing a proposal for associate membership as "unfair".
Zelensky said in a letter to EU leaders on Friday that associate membership would leave Ukraine "voiceless" because it would not have voting rights, which would prevent Kiev from advancing its interests, the Reuters news agency reported.
Ukraine has intensified efforts to join the EU after Hungary's former prime minister, Viktor Orban, was ousted in parliamentary elections last month. Under Orban, who maintained close ties with Russia, Budapest repeatedly used its veto power to block Ukraine's accession bid and stalled approval of aid for Kiev.
Zelensky's push for EU membership comes as both Kiev and Moscow seek to advance their interests on the battlefield.
Russia accused Ukraine of a deadly attack on a student dormitory in the Russian-controlled town of Starobilsk.
Russia's emergency ministry said: "A total of 48 casualties were recorded, 12 of whom were killed. According to preliminary reports, nine people are still trapped under the debris." Vladimir Putin has ordered his forces to respond to the attack, and Russia's foreign ministry said those responsible would face "inevitable and severe punishment".
Kiev has denied striking the dorm, saying it targeted an elite drone command unit in the area and that it complies with international humanitarian law.
Ukraine's military hit a large chemical plant, Metafrax Chemical, in Russia's Perm region, 1,700km (1,050 miles) from the , Zelensky said on Saturday.
"The company's products supply dozens of other Russian military production facilities, including aircraft equipment and drones, missile engines, and explosives. The production process at the enterprise has now halted," he said on Telegram.
Ukraine also attacked Russian oil infrastructure, striking a refinery in the city of Yaroslavl. In Russia's Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, at least two people were injured when falling drone debris caused a fire at an oil terminal.
Zelensky said in a post on X that Ukraine had retaken almost 600 square kilometres (230 square miles) of territory since the beginning of the year, adding that Kiev's gains were forcing Moscow to engage in negotiations aimed at ending the war, which began in February 2022.
Source: Qatar Tribune