The Russian invasion. The outside world's response

William Burns Brynn Anderson / AP  

 

The Russian invasion. The outside world's response 

CIA: The next six months will decide - puncture Putin's hubris  

 

The near future will be "absolutely decisive" for the outcome of Russia's war against Ukraine. This is what CIA director William Burns says during a speech at Georgetown University in Washington DC, according to several media outlets. 

 

- We assess that the decision will take place on the battlefield in the next six months, says Burns, adding that Vladimir Putin is "not serious" about peace negotiations.  

 

Burns emphasizes the importance of "puncturing Putin's hubris". He also says that it must be made clear to the Russians that they will not be able to advance further in Ukraine and that the possibility of the country "losing the territories they illegally acquired increases with each passing month". 

The Russian invasion. The outside world's response  

EU flags Ukrainian disappointment during summit 

 

When EU leaders meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, they are expected to express their symbolic support for the country in its fight against Russia, the New York Times reports. But at the same time, they want to avoid giving the Ukrainians false hope when it comes to the issue of EU membership.  

 

This week, Zelensky has repeated the message heard from Ukraine recently that the country should be allowed to become part of the Union within a couple of years. 

 

- I think that Ukraine deserves to start negotiations on EU membership already this year, he said in one of his nightly video speeches.  

 

But diplomats and EU officials who have been preparing for today's meetings tell the NYT that Zelenskyi is likely to be disappointed if he hopes for any concrete announcements from Ursula von der Leyen and the other EU leaders.  

 

EU politicians and Ukrainian politicians on site in Kyiv / Picture of a foggy Kyiv TT. 

 

The Russian InvasionThe Battles  

Air traffic alert over Kyiv ahead of upcoming EU summit 

 

The air traffic alert sounds over the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Friday, Reuters reports.  

 

Several EU leaders are in the city for several summits. Among them are European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Charles Michel. The delegation also includes Sweden's EU Commissioner Ylva Johansson. 

 

The air raid warning has also been heard in other parts of the country.  

 

During the two-day visit, the EU leaders and Zelenskyi will, among other things, discuss possible Ukrainian membership in the union. On Thursday, the EU also announced that it will contribute additional military support to Ukraine.