DIRECT. Russian offensive: Zelensky hails Brussels' support for Ukraine's EU candidate status

The essential

• The British Prime Minister traveled to kyiv on Friday for a surprise visit.

  "Putin's troops are under severe pressure and are suffering heavy casualties," he said.

• The European Commission has come out in favor of granting Ukraine EU candidate status, but any green light will be subject to conditions and must be validated unanimously before the opening of negotiations for its accession. .

• Vladimir Putin surprisingly claimed to have “nothing against” Ukraine's possible membership of the European Union, considering that it was “the business of the Ukrainian people”. 

• Pro-Russian separatist leader Denis Pushilin has said he wants Russia to conquer all of Ukraine.

07:37

Zelensky welcomes support from Brussels

President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed Brussels' support for Ukraine's EU candidate status, "positive news" for the country as the key eastern city of Severodonetsk is pounded by the Russian forces.

The European Commission has recommended granting Ukraine EU candidate status.

His opinion will be discussed Thursday and Friday at a European summit, where the 27 EU leaders will have to give the green light - unanimously - for kyiv to officially obtain this status.

AFP/Sergei Supinsky

07:35

Nearly 7,000 "foreign mercenaries" in Ukrainian ranks, according to the Russian army

The Russian army said on Friday that nearly 7,000 "foreign mercenaries" from 64 countries had arrived in Ukraine since the start of the conflict and that nearly 2,000 had been killed.

Moscow has described Poland as the "absolute leader" in Europe in terms of fighters, followed by Romania and Britain.

07:35

Welcome to this live

Hello and welcome to this live broadcast dedicated to the latest events in Ukraine.