China News Agency, Beijing, June 18. Comprehensive news: The European Commission proposed on the 17th to grant Ukraine the status of a candidate country for the European Union.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed it in a post on social media platforms.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia does not oppose Ukraine's accession to the EU, but he also warned that "Ukraine will become a Western semi-colony".

On the 17th, the Russian Ministry of Defense disclosed for the first time the number of foreign mercenaries in the Ukrainian army according to Russian statistics.

Russian media exposed images of two captured American mercenaries on the same day.

　European Commission recommends giving Ukraine EU candidate status

　　The European Commission responded on the 17th to the applications of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia to join the EU, recommending that Ukraine and Moldova be granted EU candidate status.

Data map: On April 21, local time, in Cherniv, Ukraine, a man rides a bicycle next to a destroyed tank.

　　European Commission President von der Leyen said that the European Commission made the above decision after a comprehensive and comprehensive evaluation.

She emphasized that Ukraine and Moldova still need to implement reforms in many areas, and "there is still a lot of important work to be done."

　　According to EU rules, the European Commission's recommendations require the unanimous approval of the 27 member states before they can take effect.

EU leaders are expected to discuss the issue at a summit next week.

　　Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed it on social media platforms on the same day.

He said this was the first step on Ukraine's road to EU membership.

Ukraine looks forward to a positive outcome from the EU summit next week.

Putin says Russia has no objection to Ukraine joining EU

　　Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a speech at the 25th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on the 17th that Russia does not oppose Ukraine's accession to the European Union because the European Union is not a military bloc.

What Russia has opposed has been Ukrainian military development because it poses a threat to Russia.

　　But at the same time, Putin expressed doubts about whether Ukraine's accession to the European Union would provide a new impetus for Ukrainian economic growth.

He also warned that if Ukraine insisted on joining the EU, it would "become a semi-colony of Western countries".

　　Putin also said that Russia's special military operation was a "necessary measure that was forced to be taken" and that "the situation will return to normal sooner or later, and it is inevitable for (Russia) to improve relations with Ukraine."

He also stressed that Russia will not threaten other countries with nuclear weapons.

　Ukraine denies Western leaders persuaded Zelensky to negotiate with Russia

　　The Ukrainian state news agency reported on the 17th that Nikiforov, the press secretary of the Ukrainian president, denied that some EU leaders had persuaded Ukrainian President Zelensky to negotiate with Russia.

He said that when Zelensky met with the leaders of France, Italy, Germany and Romania in Kyiv on the 16th, the parties said that only Ukraine could decide the timing and terms of its negotiations with Russia.

　　German Chancellor Scholz said on the 17th that Russia must withdraw its troops and reach an agreement with Ukraine that is acceptable to the Ukrainian people and conforms to their rights.

Scholz said it was "absolutely necessary" for leaders of some countries to have direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and he would continue to do so with the French president.

　　Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with the media that if Ukraine could recognize the need to reach an agreement with Russia, Russia is ready for it, but Ukraine has not shown such willingness.

UK PM visits Ukraine again and discusses arms supply with Ukrainian president

　　British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited Ukraine on the 17th, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted a video of his meeting with Johnson on social media platforms that day.

Ukrainian sources said Zelensky and Johnson discussed the supply of weapons and air defense systems to Ukraine, further economic support, and increased sanctions against Russia.

Johnson visited Ukraine in April and promised to provide Ukraine with a series of military aid.

　　The leaders of Germany and France also said during their visit to Ukraine on the 16th that the two countries will further strengthen military assistance to Ukraine.

　　Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said the arms supply will only "prolong the suffering of the people and cause more harm to Ukraine".

The Russian Ministry of Defense disclosed for the first time the number of foreign mercenaries in the Ukrainian army

　　Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Konashenkov disclosed for the first time on the 17th the number of foreign mercenaries in the Ukrainian army.

According to Russian statistics, since the start of the special military operation, a total of 6,956 foreign mercenaries and experts from 64 countries and regions went to Ukraine, of which 1,956 were killed and 1,779 left Ukraine.

Statistical objects include foreign mercenaries who fight directly for the Ukrainian army, and foreign experts who assist Ukraine in training soldiers, and operating and repairing Western-aided weapons in Ukraine.

　　On the 17th, Russian TV today exposed images of two American mercenaries who "disappeared" while participating in the war in Ukraine, saying that they were detained by local armed forces in Donbas.

The U.S. and Russian officials have not confirmed the above reports.

　　Agence France-Presse quoted a US State Department spokesman as saying on the 17th that the US has seen photos and videos of relevant reports and is "closely monitoring the situation."

　　According to U.S. media reports on the 15th, two retired U.S. soldiers went missing last week in Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine and were suspected of being captured.

On the 16th, another retired American soldier was revealed to be missing in Ukraine.

　　U.S. President Biden said on the 17th that he had been briefed on the disappearance of three Americans in Ukraine.

"We don't know where they are, but I want to reiterate that Americans shouldn't be going to Ukraine right now," he said.