Ukraine started negotiations with the European Union on joining the bloc on Tuesday, an important ambition of the country defending against a full-scale invasion from Russia. The negotiations are going to be “rigorous anddemanding,” Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib said to open the talks, speaking on behalf of the EU. “With determination and commitment, we are confident inyour capacity to bring it to a successful conclusion,” she said. Representatives from the EU and Ukraine met in Luxembourg to officially open the talks on the sidelines of a meeting of EU affairs ministers. The process d…