Closing summary
… and on that note, it’s a wrap for today!
The European Commission will move ahead with controversial plans to fund Ukraine with a loan based on Russia’s frozen assets (13:40, 13:41, 13:46, 13:47, 13:51).
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the proposals were intended to send a message to Russia that prolonging war “comes with high cost” (13:54).
But in a concession to concerns raised by Belgium (13:02), which hosts most of the assets, the EU executive has also proposed another option: an EU loan based on common borrowing.
The move was welcomed by Ukraine, with the country’s prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko saying it was “an important and responsible step forward.” (16:31).
Separately,
Nato secretary general Mark Rutte has warned that the alliance faced “real and lasting dangers” with Russia’s continuing attacks against Ukraine and its “reckless behaviour” towards the alliance (15:37).
In a direct rebuke to Vladimir Putin, he warned that while Nato remained a defensive alliance and had no intention to change it, it was “ready and willing to do what it takes” to defend its people and territory (15:42).
The former Dutch prime minister stressed the importance of keeping pressure on Russia, and continuing support for Ukraine (15:39, 15:41, but declined to get into speculations about the US-led peace talks (15:46, 16:01, 16:05).
And that’s all from me, Jakub Krupa, for today.
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.
What we know about Russia's claim of capturing Pokrovsk? — video
Defence and security editor
Earlier this week, we covered the importance of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine amid continuing battles for control over the city.
Here’s our defence and security editor Dan Sabbagh explaining this once again, better than I ever could, speaking from Ukraine.
