Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj sees his country facing the historic possibility of becoming a candidate for EU membership, but at the same time warns of serious fighting. “A truly historic week begins tomorrow when we hear the answer from the European Union on Ukraine’s candidate status,” Zelenskyy said in his video address on Monday night. However, he warned that a targeted intensification of Russian aggression is to be expected for this reason.

Fierce fighting continues in eastern Ukraine.

The events at a glance:

More on the Ukraine war at Tagesspiegel Plus:

Development Minister Svenja Schulze (SPD) wants to make developing countries less dependent on grain imports in the long term. “This hunger crisis will not be over in a few weeks, but will challenge us for years,” Schulze told the “Welt”. First of all, quick help must be organized for countries that are already suffering from the consequences of missing deliveries from Russia and Ukraine.

“In the long run, however, it only helps if the affected countries are once again able to produce more themselves, in a climate-friendly and sustainable way,” said Schulze. So far, many countries have relied on individual suppliers and have placed too little emphasis on diversity alongside wheat, corn and rice. Now that’s taking revenge. At the forthcoming G7 summit in Elmau, Bavaria, Schulze wants to initiate appropriate measures.

The day brings:

The war in Ukraine and support for the country attacked by Russia are the focus of a summit and economic forum of the states of the so-called Three Seas Initiative. The group, founded by Poland and Croatia in 2015, includes twelve EU countries in Central and Eastern Europe between the Baltic, Adriatic and Black Seas. The two-day meeting, which begins on Monday (1 p.m.) will take place in the Latvian capital, Riga.