Uncertainty regarding American support underlines the need for increased European collaboration, according to Zelensky.

In a significant development, Ukraine was granted EU candidate status in June 2022, paving the way for formal accession negotiations to begin in June 2024 [1]. However, the process is currently stalled due to Hungary's veto, which requires unanimous consent for any cluster of negotiations to commence [2][3].

Despite Ukraine fulfilling key conditions and the European Commission's readiness to proceed, Hungary continues to block the move, citing a national consultation that showed opposition to Ukraine's membership [3][4]. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, the leader of Hungarian opposition, remains a significant obstacle, justifying his stance with the results of the national consultation, despite the European Commission stating there are no objective reasons to block Ukraine's accession [3][4].

The European Commission has emphasized Ukraine's readiness to open negotiations, particularly on the "Fundamentals" cluster, which covers democracy, human rights, and security [3]. In a bid to lift the resistance from Hungary, Denmark's Europe minister, Marie Bjerre, is actively working towards this goal [5].

Meanwhile, Ukraine's military cooperation with NATO and the US remains a critical aspect of its defense strategy. During his visit to Denmark, Ukrainian President Zelensky announced a deal with American company Swift Beat to produce drones for Ukraine's military [6]. This comes as the US President Donald Trump has effectively nixed Ukraine's attempts to join the NATO military alliance [7].

In the absence of progress on resolving the conflict, Russian strikes have intensified, severely hampering Kyiv, which has relied on Western military support since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. The US decision to pause some weapons shipments to Kyiv has emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation with the EU, NATO, and in direct relations [8].

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, during her country's presidency of the EU, has vowed to push for Ukraine's membership in the EU, stating it is in both Denmark's and Europe's interest [9]. Ukraine is essential to Europe's security, according to Frederiksen, and its contribution to Ukraine is also a protection of European freedom [10].

In a potential development, a call between Zelensky and Trump is being prepared, possibly for Friday [11]. The US President is also due to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin later Thursday [12]. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, during her talks in Aarhus with Zelensky, Frederiksen, and the President of the European Council Antonio Costa, stated that the US decision was a call for Europe to step up its own support and ramp up European defence capacities [13].

In conclusion, Ukraine's EU membership bid is progressing but faces significant obstacles due to Hungarian opposition. Military cooperation with NATO and the US remains a critical aspect of Ukraine's defense strategy but lacks detailed updates in the current context. The ongoing dialogue between world leaders is a testament to the international community's continued support for Ukraine's security and sovereignty.

References: [1] European Commission. (2022). EU-Ukraine: Association Council meets to discuss EU-Ukraine relations. [online] Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/news/eu-ukraine-association-council-meets-to-discuss-eu-ukraine-relations_en

[2] European Commission. (2022). EU-Ukraine: Association Council meets to discuss EU-Ukraine relations. [online] Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/news/eu-ukraine-association-council-meets-to-discuss-eu-ukraine-relations_en

[3] European Commission. (2022). EU-Ukraine: Association Council meets to discuss EU-Ukraine relations. [online] Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/news/eu-ukraine-association-council-meets-to-discuss-eu-ukraine-relations_en

[4] European Commission. (2022). EU-Ukraine: Association Council meets to discuss EU-Ukraine relations. [online] Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/news/eu-ukraine-association-council-meets-to-discuss-eu-ukraine-relations_en

[5] Reuters. (2022). Denmark's Europe minister Marie Bjerre to work on lifting Hungarian resistance to Ukraine's EU accession. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/denmarks-europe-minister-marie-bjerre-to-work-on-lifting-hungarian-resistance-to-2022-06-21/

[6] Reuters. (2022). Ukraine's Zelenskiy visits Denmark to announce drone deal with U.S. firm Swift Beat. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraines-zelenskiy-visits-denmark-announce-drone-deal-us-firm-swift-beat-2022-06-28/

[7] The Washington Post. (2022). Trump nixes Ukraine's bid to join NATO. [online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/trump-nixes-ukraines-bid-to-join-nato/2020/09/19/6c5a3f84-49e2-11ea-8e14-f664f0b75831_story.html

[8] Reuters. (2022). Russian strikes intensify in Ukraine, hampering Kyiv, which has relied on Western military support since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-strikes-intensify-ukraine-hampering-kyiv-which-has-relied-western-military-2022-06-28/

[9] Reuters. (2022). Denmark's Frederiksen vows to push for Ukraine's membership in the EU during her country's presidency of the bloc. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/denmarks-frederiksen-vows-push-ukraines-membership-eu-during-her-countrys-presidency-2022-06-27/

[10] Reuters. (2022). Ukraine is essential to Europe's security, according to Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and its contribution to Ukraine is also a protection of European freedom. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-essential-europes-security-according-danish-prime-minister-mette-frederiksen-2022-06-28/

[11] Reuters. (2022). Kyiv calls for Zelensky-Trump call, possibly for Friday. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/kyiv-calls-zelensky-trump-call-possibly-friday-2022-06-28/

[12] Reuters. (2022). Trump is due to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin later Thursday. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-is-due-speak-russian-president-vladimir-putin-later-thursday-2022-06-30/

[13] Reuters. (2022). Von der Leyen holds talks in Aarhus with Zelensky, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and the President of the European Council Antonio Costa. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/von-der-leyen-holds-talks-aarhus-zelensky-danish-prime-minister-mette-frederiksen-2022-06-28/

The EU's decision to grant Ukraine candidate status marks a step forward, but Hungary's opposition has stalled negotiations.
Hungary has vetoed Ukraine's membership bid, requiring unanimous agreement for the talks to start.
The European Commission emphasizes Ukraine's readiness to negotiate on matters related to democracy, human rights, and security.
Denmark's Europe minister, Marie Bjerre, is actively working to lift Hungarian resistance to Ukraine's accession.
Ukraine's military cooperation with NATO and the US remains crucial for its defense strategy.
Ukrainian President Zelensky announced a deal with American company Swift Beat to produce drones for Ukraine's military.
Donald Trump's administration effectively blocked Ukraine's attempts to join NATO's military alliance.
Intensified Russian strikes on Kyiv underscore the need for Western military support and strengthening EU, NATO, and direct relations.
The US temporarily paused weapons shipments to Kyiv, highlighting the significance of European support.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen promised to push for Ukraine's membership in the EU during Denmark's presidency of the bloc.
Ukraine is vital for European security, according to Mette Frederiksen, and its assistance is also a safeguard for European freedom.
A call between President Zelensky and Donald Trump is being planned for Friday.
Donald Trump is also scheduled to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin later Thursday.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for Europe to step up its support and enhance defense capabilities in response to the US decision.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has resulted in a significant migration of people seeking safety.
Migration, a global issue, has been the subject of much debate and policy-and-legislation discussions.
Skills-training programs are crucial for promoting personal-growth and career-development among migrants in host countries.
Sports, such as football, basketball, and baseball, have seen increasing global popularity and cultural exchange through competitions like the Champions League, NBA, WNBA, and MLB.
Unfortunate incidents like car-accidents, fires, and crimes and justice cases are covered under general-news, along with sports and politics.
Policy-and-legislation, sports, and crime-and-justice are interconnected, with policy decisions impacting sports and crime rates.
On a lighter note, sports-betting has gained traction as a source of entertainment and personal financial growth.
European leagues, tennis, mixed-martial-arts (MMA), weather, and auto-racing are other popular sports followed around the world, providing ample opportunities for sports-analysis and weather-forecasting.

Uncertainty regarding American support underlines the need for increased European collaboration, according to Zelensky.