EU fast-tracks Ukraine membership application

Anti-Tank Weapons Needed To Achieve Peace in Europe | Europe In :60 | GZERO Media

Carl Bildt, former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Sweden, shares his perspective from Washington.

First question, what happened to Ukraine's application for EU membership?

Well, that's a process that takes a long time, but what was decided by the heads of state and government of the European Union yesterday was to send it immediately to the European Commission for its assessment. That's a process that normally takes some time, but the fact that it was done immediately is as strong a signal as you can get for a process that unavoidably takes a substantial amount of time.

Secondly, what can we do to support better Ukraine, militarily?

Well, there has been a question of fighter aircraft. That's a more complicated thing. I don't think the US is particularly keen on that because of the risk of escalation. And the key thing I would say is to have a very rapid supply of anti-tank weapons. That's been supplied by the US, by Sweden, by the UK and by others, and the more we can increase that supply, because they will use them, the more they will slow down and possibly stop the Russian advance. More complex weapons take time, require training, will not be effective immediately. Anti-tank weapons that's what's needed for peace in Europe.

More from GZERO Media

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz speak with the media following meetings with a Ukrainian delegation on Ukraine-Russia peace talks, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on March 11, 2025.
Saul Loeb/Pool via REUTERS

US National Security Adviser Michael Waltz will exit his post, CBS News first reported, and will be nominated as ambassador to the United Nations. The move brings a premature end to the Floridian’s tumultuous White House stint, one that has been marred ever since he accidentally added a journalist from The Atlantic to a Signal chat discussion about US attack plans in Yemen.

Illegal immigrants from El Salvador arrive at the Comalapa international airport after being deported from the U.S. in Comalapa, on the outskirts of San Salvador.
REUTERS/Ulises Rodriguez

A Trump-appointed federal judge in Texas just dropped a legal bomb on the president’s immigration playbook. US District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. on Thursday ruled that Donald Trump overstepped his authority by invoking the centuries-old Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan migrants without due process.

Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton at campaign rally Fullarton, Adelaide on day 34 of his 2025 Federal Election Campaign in the seat of Sturt, Thursday, May 1, 2025.
AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Voting is underway in Australia’s May 3 federal election, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese seeking a second term for the Labor Party. His main challenger is Peter Dutton, leader of the center-right Liberal Party and the broader Coalition since 2022.

Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, speaks during a policy agreement ceremony with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, South Korea, on May 1, 2025.
Chris Jung via Reuters Connect

South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung had a rough day on Thursday.

- YouTube

What is the importance of the so-called minerals deals, which have now been concluded between Ukraine and the United States? What is the importance of the visit by the Danish King Frederik to Greenland? Carl Bildt, former prime minister of Sweden and co-chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations, shares his perspective on European politics from Stockholm, Sweden.

National Security Adviser Mike Waltz walks to board Marine One at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on April 3, 2025.

REUTERS/Carlos Barria

US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz will exit his post, CBS News first reported, and will be nominated to be ambassador to the United Nations. It brings a premature end to the Floridian’s tumultuous White House stint, one that has been marred ever since he accidentally added a journalist from The Atlantic to a Signal chat regarding US attack plans in Yemen. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will replace Waltz, holding his role on an acting basis.