The European Union's executive body has recommended that Ukraine become an EU candidate state, a boost to Kyiv's bid to join the bloc.
The leaders of the 27 EU member states will meet next week to discuss the process.
Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to fulfill Russia's "tasks" in invading Ukraine in a speech the Kremlin says was delayed due to cyberattacks.
More than 1,300 civilians were killed during the Mariupol battle, including 70 children, but the real number is "probably thousands higher", according to a senior UN official.
Conditions in the Russian-occupied city are now "medieval," said an aide to the city's Ukrainian mayor.
The number of Ukrainians who have died since Russia invaded Ukraine in February is likely to be in the tens of thousands, according to Ukraine's defense minister.
Video summary of the war Ukraine - Russia: June 17
2022-06-18T04:34:03.733Z
The European Union's executive body has recommended that Ukraine become an EU candidate state, a boost to Kyiv's bid to join | World | CNN
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