Closing summary
… and on that note, it’s a wrap for today!
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has insisted that “real opportunities to end the war with dignity still exist,” as he called for another round of talks with Russia and the US, and moving some issues to the leaders’ level (15:39).
His comments come just days before the fourth anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, with some EU leaders expected to visit Kyiv (12:11), and others joining online for a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing (15:26).
The EU is also racing to adopt the latest, 20th, package of sanctions against Russia before the anniversary (12:47), after EU ambassadors failed to reach an agreement today (11:58).
Meanwhile, Kyiv said Friday that 10 people were arrested in Ukraine and Moldova on suspicion of planning to assassinate senior Ukrainian political figures on Moscow’s orders, with payouts of up to $100,000 (10:43).
Ahead of the anniversary, the Guardian’s Shaun Walker prepared a detailed account, largely reported for the first time, of how the US and Britain uncovered Vladimir Putin’s plans to invade, and why most of Europe – including the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy – dismissed them.
Make sure to read it over the weekend:
In other news,
German defence minister Boris Pistorius suggested the E5 group could establish a European version of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance (12:53).
German chancellor Friedrich Merz said that Germany must assert itself and take on greater responsibility as a new world order rapidly takes shape (13:35).
The European Commission has dismissed criticism of its participation in Donald Trump’s Board of Peace event in Washington DC, rejecting suggestions that it had no mandate for attending (12:25).
EU says it's 'analysing carefully' US ruling on tariffs
The European Commission’s chief deputy spokesperson Olof Gill has now responded to the US ruling on behalf of the bloc, saying:
“We take note of the ruling by the U.S. supreme court and are analysing it carefully.
We remain in close contact with the U.S. administration as we seek clarity on the steps they intend to take in response to this ruling.
Businesses on both sides of the Atlantic depend on stability and predictability in the trading relationship.
We therefore continue to advocate for low tariffs and to work towards reducing them.”
The EU has repeatedly been threatened with punitive tariffs by the US administration, including, most recently, over the status of Greenland.
Updated
