UPDATE - Ukrainian president discusses EU membership with European Council head

UPDATES WITH UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT'S TALKS WITH EU COMMISSION HEAD, ITALIAN PREMIER

By Busra Nur Cakmak

ANKARA (AA) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday discussed his country's possible EU membership with European Council head Charles Michel.

“It is a crucial moment to close the long-standing discussion once and for all and decide on Ukraine's membership in the #EU,” said Zelenskyy on Twitter.

“Discussed with @eucopresident further effective assistance and the heroic struggle of Ukrainians for their free future,” he added.

Michel, in response to Zelenskyy's tweet, said: "Ukraine and its people are family. Further concrete support is on its way."

The Ukrainian president also spoke to European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen.

“Ukraine is fighting the invader with weapons in hands, defending its freedom and European future. Discussed with @vonderleyen effective assistance to our country from EU in this heroic struggle. I believe that the #EU also chooses Ukraine,” said Zelenskyy on Twitter.

He continued phone diplomacy with Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, discussing Russia’s removal from the global interbank payment system, SWIFT.

Zelenskyy said Draghi supported Russia’s disconnection from SWIFT, adding that this is “the beginning of a new page in the history of our states.”

“Ukraine must become part of the #EU,” he added.

Zelenskyy earlier spoke to his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, saying: “Weapons and equipment from our partners are on the way to Ukraine. The anti-war coalition is working!”

Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine entered its third day Saturday with the latest reports indicating that Russian troops clashing with Ukrainian forces in the capital Kyiv.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the military intervention Thursday, days after recognizing two separatist-held enclaves in eastern Ukraine.

He claimed that Moscow had no plan to occupy the neighboring country but wanted to “demilitarize” and “denazify” Ukraine.

Zelenskyy accused Russia of trying to install a puppet government and said Ukrainians will defend their country against Russian aggression.