Politics
Ursula von der Leyen: The EU is preparing for a new phase of negotiations with Ukraine
The European Commission plans to propose on 16 June that the first round of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova be officially opened. EU leaders may take a final decision on 18 June at a summit in Brussels.
Poland has already identified two countries that would provide it with military assistance more quickly than NATO in the event of a Russian attack
Poland and the United Kingdom have agreed to sign a new defence and security agreement in which Russia is described as a ‘direct threat’.
The ‘airport truce’ is not the only option: Kyiv has outlined two further possible formats
Ukraine is ready to discuss local ceasefire arrangements with Russia with its European partners. Possible options include ‘airport’, ‘energy’ and ‘port’ ceasefires.
The ISW warns of the risk of Russian strikes from Belarus targeting aid routes to Ukraine
Russia and Belarus may be laying the groundwork for attacks on Ukraine from Belarusian territory. At risk are western and north-western supply routes, particularly those connecting with Poland.
The EU fears that Russia may attack Europe within the next 12 months – WSJ
Russia has reached an impasse in the war against Ukraine. Consequently, there are growing fears in European capitals that the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will attempt to reshuffle the deck by extending the conflict to Europe.
There is talk within the German Chancellor’s party of replacing him – Bild
There has been sudden talk within the ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU) of replacing Chancellor Friedrich Merz. What scenarios is the ruling party considering?
Parliament has amended the public procurement rules: what the new law entails
The Verkhovna Rada has passed Bill No. 11520 on new public procurement rules in its entirety. According to MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak, the bill was backed by 245 MPs, and its adoption is expected to unlock $3.5 billion in funding from the World Bank.
A new suspect has emerged in the Knyazev case: what is wrong with the investigation’s version of events
A new suspect has emerged in the bribery case before the Supreme Court – retired judge Oleksandr Prokopenko. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) believe he may have received $50,000 from the former head of the Supreme Court, Vsevolod Knyazev, although Prokopenko himself did not vote in favour of the position that would have benefited Kostyantyn Zhevago.
On its second attempt, the Verkhovna Rada stripped MP Tsabal of his parliamentary seat
On its second attempt, the Verkhovna Rada stripped MP Volodymyr Tsabal of the ‘Holos’ party of his mandate.
North Korea has tested AI-powered missiles for the first time
On 27 May, North Korea conducted a series of tests of new weapons — tactical ballistic missiles, rocket artillery and cruise missiles equipped with an artificial intelligence-based guidance system.
Putin and Trump are left high and dry
The Financial Times has published a column comparing the consequences of Russia’s war against Ukraine with those of the US operation against Iran. The author argues that strategic errors by Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump have strengthened China’s position and opened up new opportunities for Ukraine and Iran.
The UK has imposed sanctions on a cryptocurrency network through which Russia laundered $90 billion
The UK has announced a new package of sanctions against cryptocurrency platforms, banks and financial intermediaries that have helped Russia circumvent Western restrictions and fund the war against Ukraine.
