EU to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova as UN reports high civilian casualties
The EU will open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova on June 15. This follows a UN report noting May 2026 had the highest civilian casualties in Ukraine in four years, while EU intelligence confirmed China trained Russian military personnel.
The European Union is set to open the "Foundations" cluster for Ukraine and Moldova's accession negotiations on June 15, marking the official start of intergovernmental conferences. This announcement comes as the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine reported that May 2026 saw the highest civilian casualty figures in four years, with 274 fatalities and 1,763 injuries. Separately, EU intelligence services have corroborated earlier information indicating that China provided training to Russian military personnel on its soil, some of whom subsequently deployed to Ukraine. China has consistently denied these claims.
Sources: Українська правда, Радіо Свобода, Громадське
Sources
Earlier coverage
- Jun 12, 2026, 09:00 PM UTCEU to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova; UN reports high civilian casualties; China trained Russian troops, EU confirms
- Jun 12, 2026, 08:30 PM UTCEU to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, UN reports high civilian casualties, China denies training Russian troops
- Jun 12, 2026, 08:00 PM UTCEU to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, UN reports civilian casualty surge
- Jun 12, 2026, 07:30 PM UTCEU to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, UN reports high civilian casualties, and China trained Russian military
- Jun 12, 2026, 07:00 PM UTCEU to open accession cluster for Ukraine and Moldova on June 15
- Jun 12, 2026, 06:00 PM UTCEU confirms start of Ukraine and Moldova accession talks, UN reports high civilian casualties, and China denies training Russian troops
- Jun 12, 2026, 05:30 PM UTCEU confirms accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova amid rising civilian casualties
- Jun 12, 2026, 05:00 PM UTCEU intelligence confirms China trained Russian troops for Ukraine conflict
- Jun 12, 2026, 04:30 PM UTCEU intelligence confirms China trained Russian military for Ukraine conflict
- Jun 12, 2026, 04:00 PM UTCEU intelligence confirms China trained Russian soldiers for Ukraine conflict