E.U. agrees to open membership talks for Ukraine

BRUSSELS — The European Union on Thursday agreed to open membership talks with Ukraine, an important sign of support at a moment when battlefield progress has stalled and U.S. commitment to continued funding for the war has wavered.

E.U. leaders gathered in Brussels are still debating a package for Ukraine worth more than $50 billion — aid seen as critical for Kyiv to keep fighting.

Although E.U. membership is realistically still many years away, it was a historic moment for Ukraine, which has pushed for years to join the bloc. “History is made by those who don’t get tired of fighting for freedom,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

“I thank everyone who worked for this to happen and everyone who helped. I congratulate every Ukrainian on this day.”

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