Putin makes emboldened speech – as EU opens Ukraine accession talks

EU leaders have agreed to open membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova. Hungary’s prime minister – Putin ally Viktor Orban – wasn’t in the room when the EU voted and said he did not wish to participate in the “bad decision”.

Despite that, it’s a much-needed show of unity behind President Zelensky – who’s hailed it as a victory for Ukraine and all of Europe.

It came hours after Vladimir Putin vowed there will be no peace in Ukraine until Russia achieves its goals.