Italy
The state controls the top 5 banks in Ukraine, foreigners - almost half of the institutions. Some banks are connected with politicians and corporations, which affects their activities.
Canada seeks closer cooperation with the EU in the defense industry. This comes amid increasing pressure from the US and concerns about economic coercion.
Italy, France and Slovakia are advocating for a softer version of Kaja Kallas' proposal for military aid to Ukraine. They insist on a voluntary basis of support, which raises disputes about funding.
Giorgia Meloni insists on applying Article 5 of the NATO Treaty to Ukraine, considering it an effective way to guarantee security. She calls on partners to discuss this proposal.
A boat with refugees sank near the Italian island of Lampedusa. Authorities are searching for more than 40 missing migrants, only 10 people have been rescued, and 6 bodies have been found.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Petteri Orpo, where they discussed defense support for Ukraine, including strengthening air defense, artillery, and investments in weapons production.
The President of Finland stated that Europe should create a negotiating team consisting of Great Britain, France, Germany and Italy. He also assured Zelensky of Ukraine's support.
US, British and Turkish arms companies may be excluded from the EU's defence fund if their countries do not sign agreements with Brussels. At least 65% of the funds will go to production in the EU, Norway and Ukraine.
Meloni stated that sending Italian troops to Ukraine is not being considered. She proposed a mechanism of security guarantees between Ukraine and partner countries.
A KIIS survey showed that Ukrainians feel mixed feelings towards the authorities. Most respondents spoke of disappointment (32%) and hope (28%).
Most of the corn was exported to Spain, Italy, Turkey, Egypt and the Netherlands. Corn accounted for 16% of Ukraine's total exports.
Italy is among the top five countries shaping the "decline" of the rule of law in Europe. The impact of government decisions in Slovakia and Croatia is also a cause for concern, and Romania, France and Germany are not immune to problems in the context of the “democratic recession”.
President Zelenskyy stated a constant shortage of missiles for the SAMP/T systems provided by Italy and France. He emphasized that Ukraine had requested licenses to produce missiles for these systems.
The Prime Minister of Italy stated that sending Italian troops to Ukraine is not planned. Italy will continue to cooperate with partners for security guarantees.
In Ukraine, prices for medicines, especially domestically produced ones, are increasing. The head of the "Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of Ukraine" association explains this by the rising cost of raw materials, energy, logistics, and competition for shelf space in pharmacies.
G7 foreign ministers expressed support for Ukraine, called for a ceasefire and discussed additional sanctions against Russia. They condemned Russia's military assistance from the DPRK and Iran.
Eurostat reported a record life expectancy in the EU – 81. 4 years. The longest life expectancy is in Spain (Madrid), Italy (Trento) and the Åland Islands, and the shortest is in Bulgaria.
Bloomberg reports that Rutte answered "uh-huh" to the question of whether Trump rejected the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO. He also stated the need to normalize relations with Russia after the war.
G7 countries called on Russia to reciprocate the ceasefire in Ukraine, as Kyiv did. They stressed the need for security measures to prevent a resumption of aggression.
G7 foreign ministers are meeting in Canada amid disagreements between US allies and Trump over foreign policy and tariffs. They will discuss Ukraine and the Russian shadow fleet.
The British Defense Secretary stated that European countries will accelerate the creation of a coalition to provide security guarantees to Ukraine. Great Britain and France are leading the planning work.
Giorgia Meloni supports the efforts of the US under the leadership of Trump for a just peace in Ukraine.
In Great Britain, a 16th-century painting "Madonna and Child" by Antonio Solario, stolen from a museum in Italy more than 50 years ago, was discovered. The lawyer promised to return the painting to the city of Belluno.
28-year-old Ukrainian Nelya became the first bone marrow donor for a foreign patient in the history of the Ukrainian registry. Her stem cells were successfully delivered to an Italian clinic for transplantation.
Italy will not send its troops to Ukraine either within NATO or the EU. The country hopes for the war to end within a year and supports the possibility of a UN peacekeeping mission after peace is achieved.
Trump threatens to impose 25% duties on European goods, which could make delicacies unavailable to Americans. Producers warn of a possible shift of consumers to local alternatives.
Ukraine is clarifying the details of the Italian proposal to extend Article 5 of the NATO Charter without granting membership. MFA spokesman Georgiy Tikhiy confirmed contacts with Italian partners to clarify the specifics of this initiative.
Ukraine will receive over 30 billion euros from the EU in 2024 regardless of the latest decisions in Brussels. 26 EU countries supported the statement regarding the impossibility of negotiating about the war without Ukraine's participation.
The Prime Minister of Italy suggested extending the action of NATO Article 5 to Ukraine without granting full membership. Meloni believes this is a more effective solution than sending troops to ensure a ceasefire.
EU member states have not reached an agreement on the proposal to determine a specific amount of military aid to Ukraine for 2024. The European Commission proposes to mobilize up to 800 billion euros for European defense.