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Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys (L) arrives in Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 1, 2025. (Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys/X)
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German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys arrived in Kyiv on an official visit on April 1.

"Due to the deadlock between the U.S. and Russia, it is absolutely crucial to... show that we... stand by Ukraine and support it even more now," Baerbock said on her 11th visit to Ukraine, the German tabloid Bild reported.

Upon her arrival, the outgoing German foreign minister announced additional humanitarian support for Ukraine amounting to 130 million euros ($140 million). She was welcomed at the train station by her Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha.

"Arrived to free Kyiv to express Lithuania’s unwavering support to brave Ukrainian nation," Budrys said on X.

"We will continue standing by your side in your fight for freedom & sovereignty."

Both Lithuania and Germany have been staunch supporters of Ukraine since the start of Russia's all-out war in 2022. Berlin has provided the greatest volumes of military aid among all European partners, while Lithuania is one of the leading countries in terms of GDP committed to Kyiv's defense.

Unless you act, ‘it’s just rhetoric’ — Baltic states skeptical of Western European leadership
As the U.S. chooses an increasingly hostile posture toward Europe, the U.K. and France have been gearing up to lead the continent’s defense without Washington. French President Emmanuel Macron has coined the term “strategic autonomy,” which envisions a self-sufficient Europe that can defend itself…

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6:20 AM

Russian economic growth slowing down, Rosstat reports.

Russia's economy is experiencing a sharp slowdown in growth, according to a report released by the governmental statistics agency Rosstat on May 16. GDP only grew by 1.4% in the first quarter of 2025 – a notable decline from 4.5% growth in the previous quarter and 5.4% in the same period last year.
6:57 PM

With Ukraine’s Peaky Blinders chasing Russian soldiers near Pokrovsk.

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