Follow our live blog about the war in Ukraine here and see the most relevant things that happened throughout the day.

Ukraine will ask for a speedy NATO membership, revealed President Volodymyr Zelensky. It is a new development in the war in Ukraine, which is now day 219 of the battle, marked by an airstrike that killed 23 people following a humanitarian caravan to Zaporizhia. Marking the day is also the Kremlin ceremony to celebrate the annexation of four Ukrainian regions.

EU ministers agree on tax on excessive profits and electricity savings

What happened during the afternoon?

Ukraine will ask for a speedy NATO membership, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed. In fact, says Zelensky, Ukraine is already a de facto part of the Atlantic alliance, but as of today the step of signing the effective candidacy will be taken”.

Vladimir Putin signed this Friday the treaties for the annexation of four Ukrainian regions, after the referendums. The speech was marked by an increased tone of criticism of the West.

Vladimir Putin’s speech, in five key points

In the first reaction of the Ukrainian president to Vladimir Putin’s speech, Zelensky states that Ukraine is ready for a dialogue with Russia, but without Putin in the leadership of the country.

European Union leaders “reject and condemn Russia’s illegal annexation” of four Ukrainian regions, member states said in a statement, accusing Moscow of endangering global security.

The European Commission has put forward stricter guidelines for issuing visas to Russian citizens stating that, in case of doubt, visas are not issued.

The European Council said in a statement that it “firmly rejects” and “unequivocally condemns” Russia’s illegal annexation of Ukraine’s Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporyzhia and Kherson regions.

What happened during the morning?

At least 23 people were killed and 28 injured after a humanitarian convoy with cars carrying Ukrainian civilians was hit by missiles. in the vicinity of Zaporizhia, announced the governor of the region, Oleksandr Starukh. The victims were Ukrainians who were on their way to the Russian-occupied regions to evacuate their relatives.

Volodymyr Zelensky has already reacted to the airstrike, calling the Russians “bloodthirsty scum” and vowing revenge: “He will definitely answer for every Ukrainian life lost.”. “The enemy is enraged and seeks revenge for our perseverance and our failures. He cynically destroys peaceful Ukrainians, because he lost everything human long ago, ”accused the president of Ukraine.

EU energy ministers reached an agreement in Brussels on on an emergency intervention that includes a solidarity contribution on the exceptional profits of companies in the energy sector. The energy ministers met this morning in Brussels for an extraordinary meeting of the Council of the European Union. They also received updates on the Nord Stream pipeline leaks.

The first group of Russian citizens recruited to fight in Ukraine has arrived in Donetsk after Vladimir Putin announced a partial military deployment. According to the message of the People’s Militia of the Donetsk Republic on Telegram, the group will receive “an intensive combat training course, which takes into account the experience of the battles of the past months.”

Permanent Mission of Russia to the United Nations criticized the UN secretary general for using “double standards” condemning the annexation of Ukrainian territories. And it accuses António Guterres of carrying out such a “direct attack on the fundamental right of self-determination expressed by the population of the Lugansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporyjia regions”.