EU countries push back on Ukraine's fast-track membership request

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for his country to join the European Union immediately, saying Ukraine is ready to forgo subsidies. He also warned Hungary's leader, Viktor Orbán, not to block a €90 billion EU loan package for Ukraine.

In response, several European capitals have rejected the idea of a fast-track or 'reversed' membership process for Ukraine, calling for credible options instead. Orbán has said Hungary will block every EU decision on Ukraine, citing an 'oil blockade' issue. Separately, Putin mocked the EU-Ukraine relationship, calling it 'wagging the dog.'