Closing summary
… and on that note, it’s a wrap!
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Britain’s support for Ukraine saved “thousands of people’s lives” from Russian strikes, as he called for further assistance and stricter sanctions on Russia (17:46).
But Hungary and Slovakia said they would oppose the latest, 18th round of EU sanctions on Russia (13:15). EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said that EU officials were “working on this to get this package through” (17:07).
During a brief visit ahead of the Nato summit starting tomorrow, Zelenskyy met King Charles III at Windsor (15:43) and the British prime minister, Keir Starmer, in London (17:26).
Elsewhere,
Spain has defended its push to get additional flexibilities when it comes to the implementation of the Nato’s new 5% defence spending target, pointing to their focus on “capability targets,” and not the money (11:33, 16:55).
Other countries also suggested they would want to explore some flexibilities, including Belgium (12:14) and Slovakia (18:50).
But Nato’s secretary general Mark Rutte appeared to be less keen, saying there would be “no opt-outs” or “side deals” (16:53) and questioning Spain’s explanations as to what level of spending will be needed to meet its obligations towards the alliance (15:31).
Addressing media before this week’s Nato summit in the Netherlands, Rutte said the 5% GDP defence spending target to be adopted at this week’s alliance summit in the Hague, the Netherlands will be a “quantum leap” change “that is ambitious, historic and fundamental to securing our future” (15:25).
In other stories,
German chancellor Friedrich Merz has criticised the European Union’s approach to trade negotiations with the United States in the first split in the bloc over the way to eliminate tariffs and a potential trade war (17:56).
EU foreign ministers agreed on a push to improve the humanitarian situation on the ground in the Gaza Strip, criticising Israel for breaching the Article 2 of the EU-Israel association agreement (17:16).
And that’s all from me, Jakub Krupa, for today.
For more updates on the Middle East crisis, follow our live blog with the latest reports as Iran says it has attacked US forces in Qatar:
If you have any tips, comments or suggestions, email me at [email protected].
I am also on Bluesky at @jakubkrupa.bsky.social and on X at @jakubkrupa.
Oh, and it feels relevant to note that it’s the ninth anniversary of the 2016 Brexit referendum today.
I know, NINTH.
Time flies when you’re having fun, right?
…
RIGHT?
