Kyiv:

Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, has said that his country aims to initiate talks with the EU on possible membership. Despite current disputes within the European Union (EU) on this topic, Kyiv remains determined to pursue these discussions, with the intention of initiating them as early as this year. 
In an important move, the foreign ministers of all 27 European Union member states convened in Ukraine for the first time outside the bloc's borders. However, the foreign ministers of Hungary and Poland did not attend the summit in the Ukrainian capital recently. 
Josep Borrell, the chief of EU foreign policy, stressed that this meeting is strong evidence of the EU's persistent support and underlines the EU's steadfast commitment to the Ukrainian population. However, unanimity is essential, and EU member Hungary has been vocal in its opposition to Ukraine's EU membership as long as the rights of ethnic Hungarians living there are not fully guaranteed. There are reports that the EU is contemplating more funds for Hungary in return for its consent to allow Ukraine into the bloc. 
Meanwhile, US lawmakers admitted that Congress is having problems funding help for Ukraine while the violence continues. However, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba indicated that Ukraine has spoken with officials from both parties in the US Congress to solicit help. 
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen stressed the necessity of European support for Ukraine, delivering a strong trans-Atlantic signal, and accepting responsibility for local events.