The European Union and Ukraine will discuss financial and military assistance during a summit on February 3, 2023, in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's office informed in a statement on Monday.&nbsp;

Zelensky's first order of business in 2023 was an agenda discussion with the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, the statement read. "The parties discussed expected results of the next Ukraine-EU summit to be held on February 3 in Kyiv and agreed to intensify preparatory work."

As both the leaders exchanged words over a call, they discussed a fresh $19 billion financial aid for Ukraine. However, Zelensky asserted an early transaction of the first chunk of the assistance. Another matter was the supply of 'appropriate' weapons for the war-struck nation.

Also Read|&nbsp;<a href="www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-strike-on-russian-held-makiivka-results-in-death-of-63-soldiers-548811">Kyiv takes responsibility for Makiivka strikes which killed 63 Russian troops</a>

In December 2022, the European Union provided Ukraine with a 'megadeal.' The aid included a 15 per cent global corporate tax rate adoption for Ukraine, the second-largest European country.

Later, Zelensky appealed for the absence of hindrances in Kyiv's support due to the conflict between the 27-nation bloc.

Watch|&nbsp;Gravitas: IMF: Global economy faces a tougher year

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When the EU decided to hold the summit, they could not finalise the place earlier in December. However, a spokesperson for the chairman of EU leaders confirmed the date and openly invited President Zelensky to visit Brussels. Later, he confirmed that the invitation does not imply that the summit's venue would be in Brussels.&nbsp;

EU revealed that the summit's objective is to discuss the further expansion of help it can provide to Ukraine in its war against Russia. The Commission and the council of the 27 EU leaders, considered the two foundation pillars of the EU, will also discuss Ukraine's approach to membership in the coalition.&nbsp;

Since the beginning of the war in February 2022, Zelensky has made continuous virtual appearances at EU summits. However, he made his first in-person visit after the onset of the war in Washington on Wednesday.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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The European Union and Ukraine will discuss financial and military assistance during a summit on February 3, 2023, in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's office informed in a statement on Monday.

The European Union and Ukraine will discuss financial and military assistance during a summit on February 3, 2023, in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's office informed in a statement on Monday. Zelensky's first order of business in 2023 was an agenda discussion with the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, the statement read. "The parties discussed expected results of the next Ukraine-EU summit to be held on February 3 in Kyiv and agreed to intensify preparatory work." As both the leaders exchanged words over a call, they discussed a fresh $19 billion financial aid for Ukraine. However, Zelensky asserted an early transaction of the first chunk of the assistance. Another matter was the supply of 'appropriate' weapons for the war-struck nation. Also Read| Kyiv takes responsibility for Makiivka strikes which killed 63 Russian troops In December 2022, the European Union provided Ukraine with a 'megadeal.' The aid included a 15 per cent global corporate tax rate adoption for Ukraine, the second-largest European country. Later, Zelensky appealed for the absence of hindrances in Kyiv's support due to the conflict between the 27-nation bloc. Watch| Gravitas: IMF: Global economy faces a tougher year When the EU decided to hold the summit, they could not finalise the place earlier in December. However, a spokesperson for the chairman of EU leaders confirmed the date and openly invited President Zelensky to visit Brussels. Later, he confirmed that the invitation does not imply that the summit's venue would be in Brussels. EU revealed that the summit's objective is to discuss the further expansion of help it can provide to Ukraine in its war against Russia. The Commission and the council of the 27 EU leaders, considered the two foundation pillars of the EU, will also discuss Ukraine's approach to membership in the coalition. Since the beginning of the war in February 2022, Zelensky has made continuous virtual appearances at EU summits. However, he made his first in-person visit after the onset of the war in Washington on Wednesday. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

EU, Ukraine to hold summit on February 3 in Kyiv

Ukraine, seeking to reassure its Western allies after faking the murder of a Russian dissident to thwart what it said was a plot on his life, told them on Friday its ruse led to the discovery of a hit-list of 47 people whom Russia planned to kill abroad.

The Kiev authorities drew both praise and consternation this week for staging the fake shooting of Arkady Babchenko, an exiled journalist, which they said was necessary to protect him and dozens of others who were targeted in a genuine Russian plot.

Russia has poured scorn on Ukraine's allegations while some organizations and commentators criticized Kiev for the kind of trickery which Ukraine routinely accuses Russia of using.

Ukraine's credibility matters as it counts on Western financial support and sanctions on Moscow in its standoff with Russia over the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and a Russian-backed separatist conflict in which more than 10,000 people have been killed.

General Prosecutor Yuriy Lutsenko, one of the few Ukrainian officials who knew about the ruse in advance, briefed the ambassadors of the United States, the European Union and other countries.

In a statement after the meeting, Lutsenko said faking the murder was necessary because it allowed Ukrainian investigators to obtain more information about the list of people targeted and about who had ordered the murder.

As a result, “the investigation received a list of 47 (!) people who could be the next victims of terrorists,” he wrote on Facebook.

He did not provide any names but said the list included prominent Ukrainian and Russian journalists.

The 47 number is higher than the 30 people, including Babchenko, whom Ukraine originally believed were targets.

The investigation also gleaned important evidence linking the plot to Russian intelligence services, which would be divulged later, Lutsenko said.

State protection

Ukrainian officials reported on Tuesday that Babchenko, a Kremlin critic, had been gunned down in his apartment building in Kiev. Lurid pictures of him lying in a pool of blood were published, and officials suggested Russia was behind the killing, something Moscow flatly denied.

A day later, Babchenko appeared in public alive, and Ukrainian state security officials admitted they had faked his death to foil and expose what they described as a Russian plot to assassinate him.

That drew criticism from media and commentators abroad who questioned whether the ruse and the false outpouring of grief and finger-pointing at Russia it provoked had undermined credibility in Kiev and handing the Kremlin a propaganda gift.

One senior EU country diplomat who attended Friday’s meeting said Lutsenko had given a convincing explanation to justify the means Ukraine had employed.

“I’m happy, others are happier than before. I’d say it was the right thing to,” the diplomat told Reuters, adding that Lutsenko did “acknowledge that the media reaction came as a surprise and that side should have been handled better.”

Separately two television presenters based in Ukraine, one Russian and one Ukrainian, disclosed publicly that the Ukrainian authorities had shown them evidence of being on Russia’s hit list and were now living under state protection.

A senior European Union official involved in Ukraine said the staged murder could undermine trust in Kiev if the government did not come forward quickly with evidence of what they claimed and the plot’s links to Russia.

A marker will be the July 9 EU-Ukraine summit in Brussels, where President Petro Poroshenko will need to show proof, if not before, the official said.

“What if they fail to provide evidence? It all depends on how well they follow up,” the official said. 
&nbsp

The Kiev authorities drew both praise and consternation this week for staging the fake shooting of Arkady Babchenko, an exiled journalist, which they said was necessary to protect him

Ukraine, seeking to reassure its Western allies after faking the murder of a Russian dissident to thwart what it said was a plot on his life, told them on Friday its ruse led to the discovery of a hit-list of 47 people whom Russia planned to kill abroad. The Kiev authorities drew both praise and consternation this week for staging the fake shooting of Arkady Babchenko, an exiled journalist, which they said was necessary to protect him and dozens of others who were targeted in a genuine Russian plot. Russia has poured scorn on Ukraine's allegations while some organizations and commentators criticized Kiev for the kind of trickery which Ukraine routinely accuses Russia of using. Ukraine's credibility matters as it counts on Western financial support and sanctions on Moscow in its standoff with Russia over the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and a Russian-backed separatist conflict in which more than 10,000 people have been killed. General Prosecutor Yuriy Lutsenko, one of the few Ukrainian officials who knew about the ruse in advance, briefed the ambassadors of the United States, the European Union and other countries. In a statement after the meeting, Lutsenko said faking the murder was necessary because it allowed Ukrainian investigators to obtain more information about the list of people targeted and about who had ordered the murder. As a result, “the investigation received a list of 47 (!) people who could be the next victims of terrorists,” he wrote on Facebook. He did not provide any names but said the list included prominent Ukrainian and Russian journalists. The 47 number is higher than the 30 people, including Babchenko, whom Ukraine originally believed were targets. The investigation also gleaned important evidence linking the plot to Russian intelligence services, which would be divulged later, Lutsenko said. State protection Ukrainian officials reported on Tuesday that Babchenko, a Kremlin critic, had been gunned down in his apartment building in Kiev. Lurid pictures of him lying in a pool of blood were published, and officials suggested Russia was behind the killing, something Moscow flatly denied. A day later, Babchenko appeared in public alive, and Ukrainian state security officials admitted they had faked his death to foil and expose what they described as a Russian plot to assassinate him. That drew criticism from media and commentators abroad who questioned whether the ruse and the false outpouring of grief and finger-pointing at Russia it provoked had undermined credibility in Kiev and handing the Kremlin a propaganda gift. One senior EU country diplomat who attended Friday’s meeting said Lutsenko had given a convincing explanation to justify the means Ukraine had employed. “I’m happy, others are happier than before. I’d say it was the right thing to,” the diplomat told Reuters, adding that Lutsenko did “acknowledge that the media reaction came as a surprise and that side should have been handled better.” Separately two television presenters based in Ukraine, one Russian and one Ukrainian, disclosed publicly that the Ukrainian authorities had shown them evidence of being on Russia’s hit list and were now living under state protection. A senior European Union official involved in Ukraine said the staged murder could undermine trust in Kiev if the government did not come forward quickly with evidence of what they claimed and the plot’s links to Russia. A marker will be the July 9 EU-Ukraine summit in Brussels, where President Petro Poroshenko will need to show proof, if not before, the official said. “What if they fail to provide evidence? It all depends on how well they follow up,” the official said.

'We have Russian hit-list of 47 people', Ukraine tells allies

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EU, Ukraine to hold summit on February 3 in Kyiv

'We have Russian hit-list of 47 people', Ukraine tells allies