Putin beordrar styrkor att gå in i Ukraina - INVASION NU (2022-02-24)

Poland has arrested nine people in connection with acts of sabotage committed in the country on the orders of Russian services, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said late on Monday.

Warsaw says its position as a hub for supplies to Ukraine has made it a key target for Russian intelligence services, and accuses Moscow of trying to destabilise the country.

"We currently have nine suspects arrested and charged with engaging in acts of sabotage in Poland directly on behalf of the Russian services," Tusk told private broadcaster TVN24.

"This includes beatings, arson and attempted arson."

He said Poland was collaborating with its allies on the issue and that the plots also affected Lithuania, Latvia and possibly also Sweden.

Ukraine and EU push to start membership talks in June

Hungary faces renewed pressure to drop its opposition to Kyiv’s accession bid.

Brussels officials are pushing to begin formal negotiations over Ukraine joining the European Union as early as next month, according to people familiar with the matter.

Behind the scenes, diplomats from the EU and from Kyiv are working intensively to try to persuade the Hungarian government to give its approval to opening talks on Ukraine’s accession.

Five diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the aim is to kickstart the formal negotiations as soon as June 25.