A European Union flag is seen in front of the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, July 7, 2020.Photo:Xinhua

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the European Union (EU) to grant Ukraine membership into the bloc.

"It is a crucial moment to close the long-standing discussion once and for all and decide on Ukraine's membership in the EU," Zelensky wrote on Twitter on Saturday.

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a "special military operation" in Ukraine.

Ukrainian Health Minister Viktor Liashko said that 198 Ukrainians, including three children have been killed.