The key facts

  • The death toll from the strike on Zaporizhzhia region has risen to 43, with rescue work in its fourth day
  • Zelensky said Kyiv intends to close all EU negotiation clusters by the end of the year
  • Ukraine has returned 2,790 children out of more than 20,000 who, according to Kyiv, were taken out

Rising death toll and ongoing search

The death toll from the Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia region has risen to 43 people, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday, speaking at the 30th Ibero-American Summit in Madrid. According to him, the search and rescue operation has been underway for a fourth day, and dozens of people may still be under the rubble. Anadolu reported this.

EU accession talks on the sidelines of the summit

At a meeting with European Council President António Costa, Zelensky discussed Ukraine's EU accession process. He said Kyiv expects to close all negotiation clusters by the end of this year and move to the next stage of talks in 2027. Zelensky presented proposals to speed up the process, which Costa, according to him, will discuss with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The parties also spoke about preparations for a trilateral meeting in Abu Dhabi and Ukraine's priorities. Zelensky stressed that European representatives should take part in discussions on security guarantees for Ukraine and its economic recovery.

Separate meetings with Portugal and Andorra

Earlier the same day, Zelensky met with Portuguese President António José Seguro; the conversation focused on energy assistance and cooperation in arms production. At a meeting with Andorran Prime Minister Xavier Espot Zamora, the talks concerned the return of Ukrainian children displaced by the conflict with Russia. Zelensky said Ukraine has returned 2,790 children out of more than 20,000 who, according to Kyiv, were taken out of the country; the sides agreed to maintain contact and coordinate efforts.