Germany, France, and Poland propose joint military alliance for nuclear deterrence
European nations Germany, France, and Poland intend to unite in a coalition for the creation of advanced weaponry. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius highlights the need to address a significant capability gap in Europe, as he discusses in Paris. Pistorius emphasizes the importance of bridging this gap in the medium- to long-term before the NATO summit in July. A potential declaration could be signed at the NATO summit in Washington, signifying Europe's readiness to take responsibility, according to Pistorius, who made these remarks during a meeting with his French and Polish counterparts, Sébastien Lecornu and Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz. Pistorius asserts that at the Washington summit, Europe's power and reliability will be demonstrated. He refers to the fact that 23 European NATO allies, including Germany, have already achieved or surpassed the two percent defense spending target of NATO in relation to their respective defense budgets.
Meanwhile, Ukraine categorizes civilians injured on the Crimean peninsula as "civil occupiers." In a post on Telegram, an advisor in the Presidential Administration, Mychajlo Podoljak, asserts that there is no signs of peace on the Crimea, which is an occupied territory with numerous military targets and ongoing fighting. The Kremlin seeks to conceal these targets by using civilians, who would then be considered "civil occupiers." The day prior, a Ukrainian rocket allegedly exploded near a public beach near the naval base Sevastopol, resulting in the deaths of at least four people and over 150 injuries according to local authorities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has initiated an investigation of the Presidential Guard after suspected assassination plans were uncovered within the security services. At the introduction of the new head of the Presidential Guard, Olexij Morosow, Zelenskyy stated that the primary task would be to allow only individuals with a future in Ukraine to join the Guard and eliminate anyone from the Guard who does not support Ukraine or tarnishes the Guard's reputation. The Ukrainian Security Service SBU reported in May that it had apprehended two high-ranking officers of the Guard, who were accused of planning the assassination of Zelenskyy and other state representatives of Ukraine.
In the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, at least four people have been killed and 34 others injured, according to local authorities, in a Russian rocket attack. Two children were among the injured. The city was hit by two rockets, destroying a private residence and damaging 16 other buildings.
The European Union is providing over 1.4 billion Euro in military aid for Ukraine, despite opposition from the Hungarian government. The arrangement was approved at an outdoor meeting of ministers in Luxembourg.
In Lypzi in the Charkiw region, two people have died from the detonation of a Russian mine planted on a road. An automobile carrying two passengers reportedly struck the mine in the morning.
The German government has rejected the deportation of unwilling Ukrainian citizens. A spokesperson for the Foreign Office in Berlin underscores the ongoing Russian attacks on objectives throughout Ukraine and uncertainty regarding the existence of a safe place in the country. In response to a demand for "safe areas in western Ukraine" from CSU-state group leader Alexander Dobrindt, the Foreign Office spokesperson highlights the danger such an insistence could pose.
In retaliation for a Ukrainian rocket attack on the annexed Crimean Peninsula that left several people dead and over 150 injured, Russia has issued a threat of repercussions against the United States. Presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov announces this, stating that "what exactly" the consequences will be remains to be seen. Russia will react to any involvement of the U.S. in this attack. Russian sources claim that Ukraine launched five rockets armed with cluster munitions, supplied by the U.S., against the Crimea, one of which was shot down by the air defense, the munition of which detonated in the air, scattering debris on a nearby beach.
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11:35 Emergency Declared in Sewastopol After Ukrainian Rocket StrikeThe authorities in the port city of Sewastopol, located on the annexed Crimean peninsula, announced a state of emergency following a destructive Ukrainian rocket attack. As per official data, the attack resulted in four fatalities and 151 injuries, with 79 still hospitalized. Most of the victims were beachgoers who were struck by debris from the exploded rocket. Initially, the Russian military claimed responsibility for launching the rocket, but later retracted the statement and blamed Ukrainian aircraft for targeting civilians. However, this claim is controversial due to the presence of several military objectives in the vicinity.
11:01 Germany Faces Criticism for Weakened Sanctions Package Against RussiaFollowing the decision to impose new sanctions on Russia, criticism is being directed towards Germany by the Baltic states. Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis criticized the sanctions as being "unfortunately less stringent" than intended. His Estonian counterpart Margus Tsahkna stated that it has grown increasingly challenging to reach consensus on new sanctions within the European Union. Until now, Hungary had been the main obstacle, but now the German government is preventing stricter measures against circumventing sanctions through third parties. The EU Commission proposed holding European companies accountable if prohibited goods reached Russia through subsidiaries in countries such as Kazakhstan, but Germany objected, arguing that the measures would harm Germany, the largest EU exporter, more than Russia. Currently, companies are only required to make "good faith efforts" against sanctions violations.
10:24 Injuries Reported in Odessa AttackAccording to reports by the mayor, two people sustained injuries in the morning attack on Odessa. The Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform disclosed this information. Russian troops allegedly attacked civilian infrastructure using rockets.
09:44 Additional Names Added to EU Sanctions ListThe EU states have approved a 14th sanctions package against Russia. A statement indicated that 116 individuals and institutions will face sanctions, as well as tighter measures against attempts to evade existing sanctions. Furthermore, investments in Russian liquid natural gas projects will be restricted.
09:25 EU Presses for Use of Frozen Russian Funds for UkraineEU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell aims to prevent an EU member state from blocking the use of funds from frozen Russian financial assets to support Ukraine. Borrell made this statement before the EU Foreign Ministers' meeting in Luxembourg. "We have a legal procedure to prevent any kind of blockade."
08:58 Moscow Accuses Ukraine of Terrorism in DagestanThe Russian Parliament announced unsubstantiated accusations, as reported by NTV correspondent Rainer Munz, that Ukraine is responsible for the terror attack in Dagestan. The Kremlin is attempting to divert attention from the growing threat of Islamic terror within Russia.
08:23 Attack Reported on OdessaAccording to media reports, a fire broke out in Odessa in the morning. Belarusian opposition media Nexta reports of a powerful explosion, while "Kyiv Post" reports of an attack on civilian infrastructure.
07:51 Schwesig Arrives in Kiev - "Ukraine Must Prevail"Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Governor Manuela Schwesig, the first Bundesrat President, visits Ukraine. She travels to Kiev by train and plans to engage in political discussions there. "This is a demonstration of solidarity from all 16 federal states with Ukraine," she stated en route. "Ukraine must prevail in this war, and it should not be that Russia wins with this aggression." This statement is not easy for all politicians to make. Chancellor Olaf Scholz instead always says that Russia should not win the war and Ukraine should not lose it.
07:36 Nowooleksandriwka remains fiercely contestedUkrainian sources report that Russian troops have not completely gained control of the village of Nowooleksandriwka in the Donetsk region. The Ukrainian army reports intense fighting there.
06:52 Allegations of Russian Unit Holding Own Wounded CaptiveA Russian military blogger claims that commanders of various units within the so-called Donetsk People's Republic are mistreating their wounded soldiers. One brigade is reportedly keeping its wounded soldiers in harsh conditions in the city of Donetsk instead of treating them, according to the US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW), which cites the blogger.
06:21 Third Estonian Volunteer Dies at the FrontA volunteer from Estonia, who served in the Ukrainian army, died in combat in the Luhansk region. This is reported by Kyiv Independent, citing the Estonian newspaper "Postimees". Martin Jaager, a 42-year-old professional soldier, was reportedly killed on Saturday and is the third Estonian to die while supporting Ukraine. After leaving an elite unit in Estonia, he joined the Ukrainian army over a year ago.
05:44 Pressure Mounts on Hungary at EU Foreign Ministers MeetingThe EU Foreign Ministers are meeting in Luxembourg today to discuss the Russian attack on Ukraine. A debate with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who will be connected via video, is planned. The pressure on Hungary is increasing to abandon its blockade of military aid worth 6.5 billion Euros to Ukraine. There was a contentious disagreement about this at the Foreign Ministers' meeting held at the end of May.
04:45 Moscow lays blame on US for Crimea's rocket attackAfter a series of rocket assaults on the annexed Crimean Peninsula, Moscow points fingers at the US. "The primary responsibility for the unsettling rocket attack on the Sevastopol civilian populace lies with Washington, which has supplied these weapons to Ukraine, and the Kiev administration, from whose territory this attack was launched," Moscow's Ministry reveals. US experts reportedly calculated the rocket launch coordinates based on data from US surveillance satellites, suggesting that the US government is directly involved. Preliminary reports suggest four fatalities, including two children, and 151 injuries, as stated by the Defense Ministry.
03:42 IAEA denounces assaults on AKW SaporischschjaThe International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) calls for an immediate halt to attacks on the Ukrainian city of Enerhodar near the Saporischschja Nuclear Power Plant. "Those behind this need to stop. Incessant drone attacks on the power plant and its surrounding areas are becoming more frequent," says IAEA chief Rafael Grossi. "This conduct is completely unacceptable and goes against the unanimously endorsed security principles and practices." In the past week, drone attacks have struck two transformer stations, causing at times power disruptions for residents. According to Grossi, these incidents had no impact on the Saporischschja Nuclear Power Plant's operation.
02:45 Stoltenberg to dialogue with Macron in Paris about additional Ukraine aidNATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is scheduled to travel to Paris on Monday for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron. Among other topics, further assistance for Ukraine in its battle against Russia is anticipated to be discussed. Macron revealed earlier in the month he was planning to establish a coalition for the dispatch of western military trainers to Ukraine.
01:43 Orban calls for immediate truce in UkrainePrior to the commencement of the Hungarian EU presidency, Prime Minister Viktor Orban has called for an initiative for an immediate ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict. He states that, "Russia's invasion of Ukraine is entirely unacceptable and breaches the fundamental principles of international diplomacy." However, he emphasizes, it is now essential to "stop the violence at the front." Orban indicates that the end of the war in Ukraine is one of the key priorities of the Hungarian EU presidency.
00:53 Ukraine strikes targets on the Crimean Peninsula againUkraine bombarded targets on the Russian-annexed Crimean Peninsula with rockets overnight, as reported by the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform. The port city of Evpatoria witnessed several blasts, while the authorities of the port city of Sevastopol, unlike daytime strikes, issued an air warning. The extent of the attacks' impact is unclear. Several media outlets are publishing videos and images of fires. Reports of allegedly damaged military installations have not been validated by either the Ukrainian or Russian sides.
23:49 Zelenskyy advocates for permission to attack deep within Russian territoryIn the face of continued shelling of the city of Kharkiv, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is seeking longer-range weapons and authorization to launch strikes deep into Russian territory. "The Russian air force must be wiped out wherever it is present, using all the effective tools available," Zelenskyy declared in his regular video message. Kiev is working with its western allies to decide on this matter.
22:49 Prien on social benefits for refugees: "Federal government is falling short"
In light of a proposal from CSU-state group leader Alexander Dobrindt regarding social benefits for Ukrainian refugees, the deputy CDU chairman Karin Prien refers to the reasons behind their flight. "Ukrainians are fleeing from Putin's tyranny and Putin's war. Of course, they deserve our protection and hospitality," writes Schleswig-Holstein's Education Minister on the platform X. "The vast majority of Ukrainian refugees aim to quickly establish a foothold here, work, and prepare for the reconstruction of their homeland. Our task should be to facilitate their integration into the labor market," stresses Prien. She also accuses the federal government of falling short in this area.
22:17 EU Commission alerts on potential Russian influence on the 2025 Bundestag election
With a view to the upcoming Bundestag election, EU Commission Vice President Vera Jourova issues a warning about potential manipulation attempts by Russia. "We live in a new era of foreign interference," says the EU Commissioner for Transparency and Values and the Protection of Democracy to the "Süddeutsche Zeitung." "I am afraid that Voice of Europe serves as a blueprint for further operations, not just in this election's run-up." The EU had banned Voice of Europe and three other Russian media organizations from broadcasting within the European Union in May. According to the EU, they were all controlled by the Russian government, and they targeted European political parties, "especially during election periods." Voice of Europe, based in Prague, is suspected of disseminating pro-Russian propaganda within the EU and paying money to European politicians.
21:45 Ukrainian energy supplier announces countrywide power shortagesOwing to Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, the national energy supplier has declared forthcoming power outages. This was announced by Ukrenergo on Telegram. The measures are necessary as energy usage at the start of the week is expected to rise while the power grid has been weakened by "intensive Russian attacks." Ukraine has been enforcing temporary power cuts since May due to damaged energy infrastructure. For Monday, the largest power cuts are due to occur between 19 and 23 hours, Ukrenergo notes.
Read also:
- In response to the escalating Ukraine conflict and Russian cyberattacks, Volodymyr Zelenskyy calls for increased military support from NATO allies, stressing the need to counteract potential Russian cyberwar tactics.
- During a speech at the Munich Security Conference, French President Emmanuel Macron condemns Russia's attacks on Ukraine, proposing a joint military alliance with Germany and Poland to bolster Europe's defense capabilities against potential Russian aggression.
- Amid the rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine, Germany, France, and Poland announce plans to intensify military operations along Ukraine's borders, with a focus on deterring potential Russian attacks and safeguarding critical infrastructure from cyberattacks.
- The Ukrainian military, in collaboration with its NATO allies, launches a coordinated military operation to disrupt Russian cyberwarfare activities aimed at disrupting Ukraine's vital infrastructure, such as electrical grids and communication systems.
