Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been asked to take part in an EU summit, his spokesman says. AP
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been asked to take part in an EU summit, his spokesman says. AP
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been asked to take part in an EU summit, his spokesman says. AP
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been asked to take part in an EU summit, his spokesman says. AP

Ukraine's Zelenskyy invited to visit EU on Thursday


Soraya Ebrahimi
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may visit Brussels on Thursday to meet the bloc's leaders and address the European Parliament, officials said on Monday.

Mr Zelenskyy has been invited by European Council President Charles Michel to take part in a "future summit" of the 27 EU nations, his spokesman said on Monday.

Although "no further information will be provided" for security reasons, Mr Zelenskyy's spokesman said he had been invited "to participate in person" at a Brussels summit.

A source at the European Parliament said there was the "likelihood of an extraordinary plenary session on Thursday, February 9, with the presence of Volodymyr Zelenskyy".

Two parliamentary sources confirmed the invitation.

The leaders of the 27 EU member states will be in Brussels on Thursday for a planned summit.

If it goes ahead, the visit would be the first by Mr Zelenskyy to the seat of the EU since Russia invaded his country almost a year ago.

Russia and Ukraine conflict latest - in pictures

  • A tank, seen left, fires a round in Soledar, a town in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. Reuters
    A tank, seen left, fires a round in Soledar, a town in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. Reuters
  • Tank fire in Soledar, Donetsk. Reuters
    Tank fire in Soledar, Donetsk. Reuters
  • Firefighters work to put out a blaze at a Kharkiv fireworks storage site after it was struck by a Russian missile. Getty
    Firefighters work to put out a blaze at a Kharkiv fireworks storage site after it was struck by a Russian missile. Getty
  • Col Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine's ground forces, visits his troops on the frontline in Soledar, Donetsk. Reuters
    Col Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine's ground forces, visits his troops on the frontline in Soledar, Donetsk. Reuters
  • A Ukrainian flag attached to a tank flutters in the wind in Bakhmut. Reuters
    A Ukrainian flag attached to a tank flutters in the wind in Bakhmut. Reuters
  • A specialist from an emergency crew works on a residential building in Donetsk that was damaged in recent shelling. Reuters
    A specialist from an emergency crew works on a residential building in Donetsk that was damaged in recent shelling. Reuters
  • A missile fragment left by shelling in Russian-controlled Donetsk. AP
    A missile fragment left by shelling in Russian-controlled Donetsk. AP
  • Residents remove debris and carry their belongings out of a building destroyed by recent shelling in Donetsk, Russian-controlled Ukraine. Reuters
    Residents remove debris and carry their belongings out of a building destroyed by recent shelling in Donetsk, Russian-controlled Ukraine. Reuters
  • Ukrainian forces fire an anti-aircraft weapon as Russia's attack on the frontline city of Bakhmut continues. Reuters
    Ukrainian forces fire an anti-aircraft weapon as Russia's attack on the frontline city of Bakhmut continues. Reuters
  • A car drives past a destroyed building purported to have been used as temporary accommodation for Russian soldiers, dozens of whom were killed in a Ukrainian missile strike in Makiivka, Russian-controlled Ukraine. Reuters
    A car drives past a destroyed building purported to have been used as temporary accommodation for Russian soldiers, dozens of whom were killed in a Ukrainian missile strike in Makiivka, Russian-controlled Ukraine. Reuters
  • The site of a temporary barracks for Russian soldiers in Makiivka, which was destroyed in a Ukrainian missile attack. Reuters
    The site of a temporary barracks for Russian soldiers in Makiivka, which was destroyed in a Ukrainian missile attack. Reuters
  • A Ukrainian serviceman carries his injured comrade from the battlefield to a hospital in the Donetsk region. AP
    A Ukrainian serviceman carries his injured comrade from the battlefield to a hospital in the Donetsk region. AP
  • Smoke rises after shelling in Soledar, the site of heavy battles with Russian forces in the Donetsk region. AP
    Smoke rises after shelling in Soledar, the site of heavy battles with Russian forces in the Donetsk region. AP

The Ukrainian leader has so far made one only trip abroad since Moscow launched its assault on February 24, to Washington in December.

Officials said there was no final confirmation Mr Zelenskyy would go and that his potential arrival was being kept under tight wraps.

The Ukrainian presidency did not confirm the visit.

Drones and weapons supplied to Ukraine - in pictures

  • Turkeysold its Bayraktar TB2 armed drones to Ukraine. They can fly at an altitude of 7,500 metres and swoop down to attack targets. AFP
    Turkeysold its Bayraktar TB2 armed drones to Ukraine. They can fly at an altitude of 7,500 metres and swoop down to attack targets. AFP
  • The US also gave 700 of its Switchblade kamikaze drones. AP
    The US also gave 700 of its Switchblade kamikaze drones. AP
  • Cheap commercial drones like the DJI Mavic series have been modified in Ukraine. AFP
    Cheap commercial drones like the DJI Mavic series have been modified in Ukraine. AFP
  • Germany will follow the US in providing a Patriot missile defence system, pictured above, to Ukraine. Reuters
    Germany will follow the US in providing a Patriot missile defence system, pictured above, to Ukraine. Reuters
  • FIM-92 Stinger rockets have been donated to help Ukrainian infantry engage aircraft and drones. The shoulder-launched missiles can shoot down aircraft. Photo: US Army
    FIM-92 Stinger rockets have been donated to help Ukrainian infantry engage aircraft and drones. The shoulder-launched missiles can shoot down aircraft. Photo: US Army
  • Germany donated 25 Flakpanzer Gepard all-weather-capable self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. AFP
    Germany donated 25 Flakpanzer Gepard all-weather-capable self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. AFP
  • The High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or Himars, can simultaneously launch several precision-guided missiles. The US has given Ukraine projectiles with a range of about 130 kilometres. EPA
    The High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or Himars, can simultaneously launch several precision-guided missiles. The US has given Ukraine projectiles with a range of about 130 kilometres. EPA
  • M777 howitzers and about 300,000 shells have been donated to give Ukraine an accurate artillery platform with a range of 50 kilometres. EPA
    M777 howitzers and about 300,000 shells have been donated to give Ukraine an accurate artillery platform with a range of 50 kilometres. EPA
  • Ukraine has been sent at least 5,000 of the anti-tank weapons known as NLAWs. These shoulder-launched rockets have proved deadly in the field. PA
    Ukraine has been sent at least 5,000 of the anti-tank weapons known as NLAWs. These shoulder-launched rockets have proved deadly in the field. PA
  • Ukrainian troops have also received thousands of Javelin anti-tank missiles. Bloomberg
    Ukrainian troops have also received thousands of Javelin anti-tank missiles. Bloomberg
  • Poland and the Czech Republic sent Russian-made T72 tanks, which Ukraine has used for decades, to ease integration and cut down training time. EPA
    Poland and the Czech Republic sent Russian-made T72 tanks, which Ukraine has used for decades, to ease integration and cut down training time. EPA
  • France as announced its plan to give AMX-10 RC “scout tanks” to Ukraine. "This is the first time that western-made armoured vehicles are being delivered in support of the Ukrainian army," a French official said. AFP
    France as announced its plan to give AMX-10 RC “scout tanks” to Ukraine. "This is the first time that western-made armoured vehicles are being delivered in support of the Ukrainian army," a French official said. AFP
  • Shortly after the French, the US said it would send Bradley fighting vehicles to provide "a level of firepower and armour that would bring advantages on the battlefield”. Reuters
    Shortly after the French, the US said it would send Bradley fighting vehicles to provide "a level of firepower and armour that would bring advantages on the battlefield”. Reuters
  • The UK sent their phased-out Saxon armoured vehicles. They found new life protecting infantry units in transit and dealing with tough off-road conditions. Getty Images
    The UK sent their phased-out Saxon armoured vehicles. They found new life protecting infantry units in transit and dealing with tough off-road conditions. Getty Images
  • Denmark has supplied Harpoon anti-ship launchers to help Ukraine defend its coasts. AFP
    Denmark has supplied Harpoon anti-ship launchers to help Ukraine defend its coasts. AFP
  • The US sent 20 Soviet and Russian made Mi-17 helicopters to Ukraine that had initially been bought for the Afghan government in 2010. AP
    The US sent 20 Soviet and Russian made Mi-17 helicopters to Ukraine that had initially been bought for the Afghan government in 2010. AP
  • Germany has also supplied its latest version of the IRIS-T air defence system designed to shoot down missiles at altitudes up to 20 kilometres. Getty Images
    Germany has also supplied its latest version of the IRIS-T air defence system designed to shoot down missiles at altitudes up to 20 kilometres. Getty Images
  • Ukraine has also been given thousands of small arms, bullet proof vests, medical kits, litres of fuel, granades and other weapons systems. Reuters
    Ukraine has also been given thousands of small arms, bullet proof vests, medical kits, litres of fuel, granades and other weapons systems. Reuters

Last week, Mr Zelenskyy met top EU officials in Kyiv to push the bloc to speed up Ukraine's bid to join.

The EU has committed tens of billions of euros towards helping Ukraine withstand the Russian invasion.

Mr Zelenskyy has warned that Ukrainian forces are facing an increasingly difficult fight in the east of the country, as Russia seeks to claim more territory.

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

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Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

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Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

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Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13 

Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier

Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife 

What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents. 

Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.

Gully Boy

Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi​​​​​​​
Rating: 4/5 stars

Updated: February 07, 2023, 8:22 AM