You're listening to the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service.

Hello, I'm Oliver Conway. This edition is published in the early hours of Friday, the 15th of December.

EU leaders agree to open accession talks with Ukraine.

We are on their side and this decision made by the members says

is extremely important for the credibility of the European Union.

But will Ukraine join any time soon?

Despite American pressure to reduce civilian casualties, the Israeli Prime Minister tells

the US National Security Advisor the war against Hamas will continue until absolute victory is achieved and

the leaders of Venezuela and Guyana meet to discuss their border dispute.

Also in the podcast a British boy missing for six years turns up in France and

reporter Barbie you can ask me any question you want how come you're so amazing

no comment the Barbie direct How come you're so amazing? No comment.

The Barbie director becomes the youngest president of the Can film jury for nearly six decades.

Since the pro-EU uprising in Ukraine 10 years ago, Vladimir Putin has been working to pull

the former Soviet state back into Russia's orbit and away from the west.

Indeed that was arguably the main driver of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine,

but while the fighting remains mired in stalemate, Ukraine on Thursday scored a big diplomatic

victory as the EU unexpectedly agreed to open membership talks. Hungary had threatened to veto

the move, but in the end its populist right-wing

Prime Minister Victor Orban in effect abstained by reportedly leaving the room for the vote.

Jean-Michel, President of the European Council, said it was a historic moment for the block.

This is really important. We want to support Ukraine.

...