Europe

Estonian prime minister Kaya Kallas said that helping Ukraine defeat Russia could prevent World War III, calling for increased EU military assistance and defense spending.

Economic experts advocate raising the ad valorem excise tax rate on tobacco products from 12%.

St. Petersburg port stops transshipment of ammonium nitrate amid drone attacks, planning to move operations outside the city.

The United States imposed sanctions on two Russian individuals and entities for conducting a malicious disinformation campaign targeting Latin America, posing as legitimate media outlets and using fake social media accounts to spread anti-Ukrainian propaganda.

EU ambassadors failed to approve the extension of trade liberalization measures for Ukraine on the eve of the summit of the bloc's leaders, due to concerns of some countries about the impact on their agricultural markets, and will discuss the issue at their next meeting next week.

Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall, believes that Europe should create its own version of the Israeli Iron Dome air defense system.

The majority of Ukrainians see a common future with residents of the Russian-occupied territories in 2022 and 2014, and most are ready to discuss the format of this future, according to a poll.

The EU proposes to use the proceeds from frozen russian assets in Europe, estimated at about 3 billion euros a year, to support Ukraine's fight against russia through the European Peace Fund and the EU budget.

Russia's war in Ukraine is approaching a "point of no return" with consequences for European countries, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal believes.

Ukraine seeks to establish itself as a future EU member in the areas of defense, energy, agriculture, raw materials, and digital technologies.

Former President Trump said he would negotiate a deal with Russia to prevent further invasion of Ukraine, claiming, that Putin would not have dared attack if Trump were president, while criticising NATO allies for not paying their fair share.

Work has begun in Romania on the creation of the largest NATO military base in Europe, a 2. 5 billion euro project covering 2,800 hectares and capable of housing up to 10,000 NATO soldiers and their families, with facilities such as runways, hangars, schools, shops and a hospital.

The EU and Egypt signed a €7. 4 billion agreement to support Egypt, increase electricity sales to Europe, and cooperate on migration, security, and counterterrorism.

Zelensky said that this war decides whether Putin will be able to expand the zone of ruins in Europe and the world, thanked Ukrainian soldiers in the Kupiansk, Lyman, Orikhiv directions and noted the assistance of the United States, Denmark, Germany, Canada and other countries that support Ukraine's defense.

Ukraine does not plan to extend the Russian gas transit contract and can exist without it, as confirmed by the Ukrainian Energy Minister and the EU Energy Commissioner.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Denmark for its solidarity with Ukraine. It is noted that Denmark is the first Scandinavian country to sign a security agreement with Ukraine.

France will offer Russia a ceasefire in Ukraine during the Olympic Games, and the participation of Russian athletes will be closely monitored.

Macron said that he and Chancellor Scholz will coordinate initiatives on Ukraine, emphasizing Germany's significant commitment to arms production and military equipment maintenance, as well as the importance of Germany's role in the long-range weapons coalition.

Macron said that Ukraine should have a clear timetable for military assistance, and France should provide additional guarantees, as Europe must prepare for a potential war in order to achieve peace if Russia succeeds in Ukraine.

The draw ceremony for the 2024 Olympic football tournaments, in which the Ukrainian national team is a participant in the men's competition, will take place on March 20 at 9:00 PM Kyiv time in Saint-Denis, Paris.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba emphasized to U. S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken the need and urgency for continued U.S. and international support for Ukraine, including air defense and artillery munitions, warning that the lack of such support would undermine U.S. leadership and jeopardize U.S. national security.

G7 countries threaten to ban Iran Air from flying to Europe if Iran supplies ballistic missiles or related technologies to Russia.

US President Joe Biden urged Congress to immediately pass a bipartisan national security bill that includes aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and humanitarian aid for Gaza, calling on every member of Congress to stand up to Vladimir Putin.

The leaders of Germany, France and Poland met in Berlin, expressing joint support for Ukraine, pledging to increase arms and financial aid, and reaffirming that Europe's security is at stake in Ukraine, marking "a new and good beginning for the Weimar Triangle. "

By the end of 2025, the European Union plans to catch up with Russia in the production of large-caliber artillery shells, including 155-mm shells, to meet Ukraine's needs.

German MPs call on Chancellor Scholz to resolve differences with French President Macron and strengthen Franco-German relations "given the difficult security situation.

Latvian Prime Minister Ewika Silina supports the deployment of NATO troops to Ukraine to train the Ukrainian Armed Forces, provided that a consensus is reached among alliance partners.

Ukraine offers lucrative opportunities for energy investors due to reduced bureaucracy, lower costs, and quicker permitting for new projects such as high-voltage lines, wind and solar power plants, transforming it from an aid recipient to a potential exporter feeding European power grids.

Josep Borrell called for continued support for Ukraine, warning of serious risks to the security of Europe and the United States.

Iran has used European ports in Belgium, Spain, and Italy to smuggle weapons, including missiles and bombs, to Hezbollah in Lebanon via Syria to avoid Israeli air strikes on Iranian weapons shipments.