Relations with Russia should be reconsidered after war in Ukraine, Macron says
"We will have to think about a new form of organization of Europe and rethink our relations with Russia after the war in Ukraine," Macron said.
Europe
Danish F-16s 'working in Ukraine,' PM Mette Frederiksen confirms
In response to a question from the Kyiv Independent, Frederiksen said she was "extremely proud" the aircraft were in use, adding she had wanted to send them "from the beginning of the war."
Serbia signs $3 billion deal for French fighter jets in shift away from Moscow
"The European Union needs a strong and democratic Serbia at its side and Serbia needs a strong, sovereign Europe to defend its interests," French President Emmanuel Macron said on Aug. 29.
EU considers Kyiv's request to train soldiers inside Ukraine, media reports
Some EU member nations fear that trainings on Ukrainian soil will lead to escalated conflict with Russia, according to a document obtained by Politico.
Even if Ukraine was behind blowing up Nord Stream, it was a legitimate target, Pavel says
Czech President Petr Pavel said that he had no verified information on whether Kyiv was involved in the operation to blow up the gas pipelines.
Russia prepares disinformation campaigns targeting Ukrainian refugees in Europe, military intelligence says
The goal of Russia's new operations is to convince people who left Ukraine because of the war not to return, according to Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR).
3 Ukrainians suspected of port arson in Croatia
Croatian police are searching for three Ukrainian citizens suspected of setting multiple ships on fire at the Medulin port on the Istrian peninsula. The May 14 fire reportedly destroyed 22 vessels and caused over $2 million in damage.
Germany must be ready for war with Russia in 5 years, commander says
Captain Michael Giss, commander of the Hamburg State Command of the German Armed Forces, said Germany must prepare to withstand "a conventional attack by Russia within five years."
Russia involved in spying in Ireland, Irish official says
"What we're particularly concerned about is a handful of states who are engaged in spying activities on sovereign soil with malign intent," said Michael McElgunn, assistant commissioner of Ireland's national police force.
Orban accuses US of blowing up Nord Stream pipelines amid anti-Western tirade
Russia blamed the U.S. and U.K. for blowing up the Nord Stream pipelines connecting Russia and Germany in September 2022. Investigations have so far failed to find conclusive evidence, and both Denmark and Sweden dropped the case in February 2024. The German investigation is still ongoing.
Belarus sentences German man to death by firing squad for 'terrorism'
A German man has been sentenced to death by a court in Belarus after being accused of committing crimes including "terrorism," and "mercenary activity," a human rights group said on July 19.
'A very big Russia problem' – NATO commander warns of post-Ukraine war threat to US and Europe
Speaking at the Aspen Security Forum in Aspen, Colorado, U.S. General Christopher Cavoli said even a Ukrainian victory would only be the beginning of Western attempts to contain Russian aggression.
Starmer addresses concerns over Europe's ability to support Ukraine ahead of US election
"I'm not going to preempt what may happen in the elections later this year, other than to say that industrial strategy is a very important component of the package that we need to put together," Keir Starmer said.
Zelensky meets Britain's King Charles
President Volodomyr Zelensky met with Britain's King Charles on July 18, and in a post on social media thanked the U.K. for being "one of Ukraine's closest and most important allies."
Zelensky: Lifting ban on strikes on Russian territory did not lead to escalation
“The fewer restrictions we have on the use of effective weapons, the more Russia will seek peace,” Zelensky said, addressing the Fourth European Political Community summit in the U.K. on July 18.
Zelensky warns European leaders that Putin may use blackmail to undermine unity
Russian President Vladimir Putin may approach individual European leaders to "tempt, pressure, or blackmail" them so that one "betrays the rest," President Volodymyr Zelensky said at the European Political Community Summit, attended by a Kyiv Independent reporter.
New head of NATO Representation in Ukraine appointed
"Patrick Turner brings years of leadership and experience to the role. As a committed public servant, he has a strong track record of delivering results," said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
EU plans to boycott Hungary's foreign affairs summit, Politico reports
"If there's a formal foreign affairs council, organized by the high representative (Borrell) the same day, the ministers won't be able to go to Budapest," one diplomat told Politico.
Zelensky briefly visits Ireland, Irish PM vows trip to Kyiv 'in coming weeks'
Ireland's Prime Minister Simon Harris said he will visit Kyiv "in the coming weeks," after welcoming President Volodymyr Zelensky to his country in a brief stopover meeting on July 13.
NATO may invoke Article 5 over Russian hybrid operations in Europe if requested, official tells VoA
"It is very clear to us, we know that in the sphere of cybernetics, things can go beyond Article 5, the same (applies to) hybrid sabotage operations," a senior unnamed NATO official told the Voice of America in Washington.
Russian-North Korean military ties pose 'distinct threat,' South Korean president says
Growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea poses a "distinct threat and a grave challenge to the peace and security on the Korean peninsula and in Europe," South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol told Reuters on July 8.
Fico praises Orban in first public appearance since assassination attempt
During his speech, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico criticized what he referred to as liberal and progressive political ideologies and expressed praise for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Ukrainian optimism about war clashes with European skepticism in new poll
A new public opinion survey has revealed a widening gulf between Ukrainian hopes of a battlefield victory against Russia and European resignation that the war will only end with a negotiated settlement. Conducted by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), the poll found that while support for Ukraine and
Opinion: Key takeaways from the European Parliament elections for Kyiv
The 2024 European Parliament elections nearly slipped off Ukraine's radar. At the time, Ukraine's primary focus was on preparing for the Ukraine Recovery Conference and the peace summit in Switzerland. However, the resultant compositions of the European Parliament and the European Commission will play crucial roles in the organization’s
Rutte to be next NATO chief after Iohannis withdraws from race
Romania was the last of the 32 NATO allies to support Rutte's candidacy, after Hungary and Slovakia endorsed Rutte on June 18.
Hungarian opposition leader won't support military aid to Ukraine
TISZA party leader Peter Magyar said on June 18 that he supports Ukraine's right to self defense but does not support sending weapons to Kyiv.
Russia turns to blackmail, big money in effort to recruit German spies, Berlin officials say
Russia is "working hard" to counter the expulsion of diplomats from Germany by turning to blackmail and the lure of big payouts to recruit spies, Berlin officials said on June 18.
Russia overtook US in May as leading gas supplier to Europe, FT reports
The report attributes decreased U.S. exports to a one-time outage at a major LNG export facility, combined with Russia delivering more gas through Turkey ahead of planned maintenance in June.
Germany announces new military aid package for Ukraine, including HIMARS, Leopards
Initially a hesitant partner, Berlin has become Ukraine's second-largest military donor after the U.S.
Opinion: Europe faces 3 choices in combating the far-right surge
Far-right populist parties performed exceptionally well in the European Parliament elections, finishing first in France, Italy, and three other countries. They won nearly a quarter of the seats in the Parliament, just behind the center right. With Europe already reeling from Russia's war in Ukraine, the threat of a second
Slovak defense minister says sending fighter jets to Ukraine was 'treason,' files criminal complaint
"Weakening the armed forces in this way, contrary to the constitution, cannot be described in our political dictionary as anything other than treason," Robert Kalinak said in comments reported by the Czech news outlet iROZHLAS.
Bloomberg: Russian operative spreading Kremlin disinformation across Europe
A Russian intelligence operative already identified as heading a Kremlin disinformation campaign in Africa has also been courting European journalists to spread Moscow's false narratives across the continent, Bloomberg reported on June 11.
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