EU formally opens accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova

The European Union has officially launched accession processes for Ukraine and Moldova, a milestone Kyiv views as both a security guarantee and a definitive alignment with Western institutions while it continues to fight Russia. The move puts both countries on a formal — if lengthy — path to membership, and arrives as the G7 in France is also debating further sanctions on Russia. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer separately pledged at the G7 to target Russia's finance networks and shadow fleet with new sanctions.