Russia-Ukraine war live: Zelenskiy asks for ‘concrete’ steps on Nato bid as Ukraine escalates membership campaign

Ukraine president urges Nato to send ‘clear signal…that Ukraine will be in the alliance’

Russia-Ukraine war at a glance

Ukraine has submitted a formal request to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to New Zealand, Japanese and New Zealand authorities said on Friday.

From Reuters: New Zealand, which performs the legal depositary functions for the partnership, had received a formal accession request from Ukraine on 5 May, a New Zealand foreign ministry spokesperson said.

The next steps in the application process would be determined by all members of the CPTPP, who are due to meet in the New Zealand city Auckland on 16 July, the spokesperson said.

Japan’s economy minister, Shigeyuki Goto, told a regular press conference that Japan, as a CPTPP member, “must carefully assess whether Ukraine fully meets the high level of the agreement” in terms of market access and rules.

Ukraine is seeking a clear indication from Nato at next week’s summit in Vilnius that it can join the military alliance when the war ends. Ukraine wants to join as quickly as possible, but Nato members have been divided over how fast that step should be taken. Some member countries are wary of moves they fear could take the alliance closer to an active war with Russia.