# European Union
The heatwave in France has claimed around a thousand lives: the majority of the victims were elderly people
In France, around a thousand deaths were recorded during a record-breaking heatwave. People aged 65 and over were the hardest hit by the abnormally high temperatures
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has announced his resignation and called for early elections
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has announced that he will resign in the coming weeks. Following this, early presidential and parliamentary elections are due to take place in the country, although the next elections were not due until 2027
The President of Lithuania is prepared to act as a mediator between Ukraine and Poland
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has stated that he is prepared to act as a mediator in resolving the differences between Ukraine and Poland, should Kyiv and Warsaw deem it necessary
Switzerland is strengthening its air defences
The Swiss Federal Council has decided to strengthen the country’s air defence. The government will resume payments for the American Patriot systems and, at the same time, begin negotiations on the procurement of another long-range air defence system from a different manufacturer
Germany fears a reduction in the US military presence
The possible reduction in the US military presence in Germany is already having an impact on towns where US troops have been stationed for decades. Local residents and property owners fear the economic consequences due to uncertainty over future decisions by Donald Trump’s administration
Protests are being organised in Venice over the visit of US Ambassador Tilman Fertitta
Protests are being organised in Venice over the planned visit of Tilman Fertitta, the US Ambassador to Italy. Activists are opposing the entry of his 117-metre superyacht into the city’s historic centre during the traditional Festa del Redentore festival
A Ukrainian man has been arrested in Poland over threats made against Nawrocki
In the Polish town of Zielona Góra, police have arrested a 36-year-old Ukrainian national suspected of making threats against the President of Poland, Karol Nawrocki. According to the police, the comments were posted on an online channel
Meloni has proposed a reform of the electoral system: what will change in Italy
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has presented a bill to reform the electoral system. According to her, the proposed changes are intended to put an end to political instability and ensure that the government can serve a full five-year term
Radosław Sikorski warned of a possible Russian provocation against NATO
Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has stated that Russia may resort to provocation against one of the NATO countries in order to create a pretext for further aggression. At the same time, he said, the Alliance is ready to defend every centimetre of its territory
The EU has proposed extending protection for Ukrainians for a year, but excluding those liable for military service
The European Commission has officially proposed extending the EU Temporary Protection Directive for Ukrainians, but not granting protection to men liable for military service.
The Czech Republic has handed over 10 new ALTO NG training aircraft to Ukraine
Ukraine has received ten new ALTO NG training aircraft thanks to the Air Force Capabilities Coalition, the Czech Government and the charity ‘Dárek pro Putina’ (‘A Gift for Putin’).
Almost 60 per cent of Poles are against Ukraine joining the EU — a poll
59.7 per cent of Polish citizens are opposed to Ukraine joining the European Union. Only around a third of Poles support Ukraine’s accession to the bloc.
