Thursday briefing: Ukraine moves closer to joining the EU – what does that mean for Europe’s future?

In today's newsletter: Alongside Moldova, Ukraine is officially on the path to EU accession - what does that mean for the future of both countries and the continent?

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Good morning. Ukraine has been hoping for EU membership for decades, but the prospect of it actually happening only became likely after Russia's invasion posed an existential threat to Europe for the first time since the second world war. Weeks after the war erupted in February last year, Ukraine and Moldova applied for membership of the EU; in June they were both granted candidate status.

After waiting just under 18 months, the European Commission announced yesterday that it was recommending that formal talks begin on Moldova and Ukraine joining the European Union.

Conservatives | Suella Braverman has launched a full-throated attack on policing double standards" after the head of the Metropolitan police gave the go-ahead for a pro-Palestine march on Saturday, Armistice Day.

Israel-Hamas war | The US, for the second time in recent weeks, has carried out strikes against a weapons storage facility in eastern Syria that the Pentagon said was used by Iran's Revolutionary Guards and affiliated groups, as fears grow that the Gaza war could spread in the region.

Strikes | The RMT union has reached a possible deal with train operators to resolve their long-running national rail dispute, allaying fears of a repeat of last year's Christmas strikes.

Environment | Japan has gained another island to add to its already impressive collection, after an undersea volcanic eruption 1,200km south of Tokyo created a new landmass.

US news | Hollywood actors are set to end their nearly four-month strike, the Sag-Aftra union announced on Wednesday, bringing to a close a historic work stoppage that had brought the film and television industry to a standstill for months.