Ukraine
EU pledges €2.3bn to rebuild Ukraine, and seed a private equity fund to raise another €10bn
For the first time, the EU has begun to pledge money to rebuild Ukraine’s batter economy should the war come to an end. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a new package of financial assistance to Ukraine's recovery.
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov floats a “new concept” to halt Ukraine conflict at meeting with counterpart Rubio in Asia
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told his counterpart Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov of his disappointment and frustration" at the lack of progress to ending the Ukraine conflict, but said his counterpart had floated a “new concept".
URC2025: Ukraine to spend $50bn on defence in 2025, but needs more outside help
Ukraine will allocate nearly $50bn to defence and security in 2025, amounting to 26% of the country's GDP, but it’s going to need more outside help, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said as the annual Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC25) kicks off.
Slovakia blocks latest round of EU sanctions against Russia
Slovakia nearly eradicated Russian gas imports during the winter of 2022-23, but imports spiked following the return of the Fico-led government.
Hopes for a prosperous European future fading as a majority of Ukrainians now see only a bleak outlook for the country
Ukrainians' confidence in a prosperous European future has turned negative, according to recent polling data by Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS).
COMMENT: Trump at his most pro-Ukraine yet, but still no sanctions action
US President Donald Trump made his most pro-Ukraine, anti-Russia comments on his presidency to date this week, but he has yet to impose any new sanctions on Russia whatsoever, or follow through on his promises to restart weapons deliveries to Kyiv.
Ukraine says EU accession talks can proceed without Hungary’s consent
Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration says that negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union can begin without the support of Hungary, as only 26 members are needed to start the talks.
Thirteen top officials and executives have died in suspicious circumstances since the start of the war in Ukraine
The death of Roman Starovoit, who killed himself only hours after being fired by Russian President Vladimir Putin as Russia’s transport minister, has spurred fresh talk of the life-threatening dangers of working for the Russian government.
Trump to restart weapons deliveries to Ukraine
“We have to,” said US President Donald Trump, announcing that his administration would restart weapons supplies to Ukraine, which is facing intensifying bombardment by Russian missiles.
Lavrov hits back at Nato’s Rutte, denies Russian plans to invade Europe or attack Nato
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov hit back at Nato General Secretary Mark Rutte's claims that Chinese President Xi Jinping could ask Russia to attack Nato to clear a path for China’s occupation of Taiwan, or that it plans to invade Estonia.
Kremlin to replenish National Welfare Fund by RUB1.3tn in June, enough to cover the budget deficit, despite oil revenue pressures
The Kremlin has replenished the National Welfare Fund (NWF) with a new RUB1.3tn ($14.9bn) injection in June, as the Ministry of Finance credited long-delayed foreign exchange proceeds and gold reserves purchased last year.
Russia’s military recruitment slows but costs surge past $4bn in first half of 2025
Russia’s contract military recruitment slowed in May and June after a spring surge, but the cost of signing up new soldiers continued to climb, according to analysis by Janis Kluge, fellow at the Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP).
KYIV BLOG: A night under attack
Katia, a 28-year old text editor, had spent Thursday afternoon on the beach by what locals call the Kyiv sea, but which is in fact a huge reservoir formed by the damming of the Dnipro river north of the city.
Russia launches intense long-range missile strikes and drone barrage targeting Ukrainian infrastructure
Russia has launched the most intense missile and drone strikes on key Ukrainian infrastructure targets over the weekend that is growing in ferocity, focusing on the dwindling air defences installations, logistics hubs, and ammunition depots.
Trump-Zelenskiy call discusses air defence ammo as US pauses some arms deliveries
US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy held a telephone conversation on July 4 and discussed the future defence cooperation and halt in delivery of American weapons.
Denmark takes over EU presidency, vows to support Ukraine’s accession
Denmark has taken over the European Union’s rotating presidency and pledged to support Ukraine's bid to join the bloc while warning it may seek to nix Hungary’s EU voting rights if it continues to veto the vote.
“No progress” on Ukraine in Trump’s call with Putin
US President Donald Trump expressed disappointment following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 3, where the two leaders made “no progress” on bringing the conflict to an end.
Sofa-beds for victory: the furniture makers charting a new path on Ukraine's domestic front
Whilst enrolled on an MBA course at Kyiv Mogyla Business School in 2016, Volodymyr Patis, head of the Ukrainian Association of Furniture Producers, had a “light-bulb moment".
Ukraine, allies put on a brave face as US weapons supplies stop
Washington halted the delivery of missiles used in air defence and ammunition to Kyiv on July 1, claiming its own stocks were dwindling causing consternation in Kyiv which is battling to hold off massive Russian drone and missile barrages.
KYIV BLOG: Never enough arms and ammo for Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has been calling for western arms from day-one of the war and has never received enough soon enough.