Netherlands
Belgium is battling the largest forest fire in the history of recorded observations, which has engulfed 3,000 hectares of the High Fens nature reserve. Authorities evacuated residents of two villages, while the EU sent aircraft to help.
The Cabinet of Ministers has allowed destroyed enemy equipment to be transferred to foreign museums free of charge. Museums in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Denmark, and the Netherlands will each receive one T-72 tank of different modifications.
The remains of Yevhen Konovalets, the founder of the OUN, were returned to Ukraine after being exhumed in Rotterdam. They will be temporarily reburied at the National Military Memorial Cemetery and, in the future, transferred to the Pantheon of Heroes.
The government has allowed captured military equipment to be transferred free of charge to museums in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Denmark, and the Netherlands. This will help document the consequences of Russian aggression and advance cultural diplomacy.
An explosion occurred in the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, likely due to an error while disconnecting pipelines. As a result of the incident, one person was killed, and six others were injured.
Former "Barcelona" player Xavi Hernández has become the new head coach of the Netherlands national team, replacing Ronald Koeman. The Spaniard's contract will run until the 2030 World Cup.
Due to the abnormal heat in Italy, the grape harvest season for Franciacorta began 10 days earlier, with winemakers working at night. Climate change is shortening the harvest period, forcing them to make quick decisions.
Record heat in the EU will result in losses of €180 billion, equivalent to 1% of GDP. Labour productivity and agriculture will be hit hardest.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a conversation with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Rob Jetten. They discussed strengthening of air defense, russian strikes, and the opening of four clusters of negotiations on EU accession.
In the Netherlands, near the border with Germany, a forest fire has engulfed about 100 hectares, and a campsite was evacuated due to smoke. Train traffic on one section was suspended, and helicopters were deployed to fight the fire.
Russia produces and uses ballistic missiles faster than the world can produce modern interceptor missiles. This imbalance forces a review of approaches to building the global security system.
The US is relinquishing leadership of the NATO Security Assistance Group in Germany, which coordinates military aid to Ukraine. The transition will take up to a year, but work with Ukraine will not be interrupted.
SBU and GUR took fourth place in the ranking of European intelligence services by L'Express, scoring 77 points. Experts noted the ingenuity of Ukrainian intelligence services and their complex operations.
Energy expert Stanislav Ignatiev stated that the current situation with fuel is not a systemic shortage, but logistical difficulties due to Russian attacks. He considers it unlikely that the price of gasoline will rise to 100 hryvnias per liter, as this would require a simultaneous combination of several crisis factors.
The President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom visited the minesweeping vessel "Cherkasy", received from Britain in 2023. The leaders were also shown drones and unmanned vehicles.
The Royal Belgian Football Association has announced the appointment of Dutchman Mark van Bommel as head coach of the national team. He will prepare the team for the 2028 European Championship.
Some ministers of the Svyrydenko government retained their positions in the updated Cabinet.
The government has ordered the reburial of the remains of Colonel of the Army of the Ukrainian People's Republic and the first head of the OUN, Yevhen Konovalets, at the National Military Memorial Cemetery.
On the 12th anniversary of the downing of flight MH17, Ukraine honored the memory of the 298 victims and emphasized the need to hold Russia accountable. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that justice is impossible without punishing the aggressor.
Ukraine and European partners have founded the Anti-Ballistic Coalition, which is launching the creation of a joint anti-ballistic system FREYJA. Well-known European defense companies are joining the project launch.
President Zelenskyy stated that Russian ballistic missiles will soon be able to reach 5,000 km. He emphasized the need for a European missile defense system and the creation of the FREYJA anti-ballistic shield.
A group of Ukrainian servicemen took part in the annual parade on the Champs-Élysées. They marched at the end, receiving warm applause.
Netherlands summons Russian ambassador over hacking of video surveillance cameras on military aid routes to Ukraine. The Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed a firm protest and continued support for Ukraine.
President Zelenskyy stated that the existing anti-ballistic missile capabilities are insufficient, and the number of ballistic missiles will increase. Ukraine proposed to European leaders the creation of a joint air defense system FREYJA, offering its own interceptor missile.
The President of Ukraine hopes to see FREYJA in operation within 12 months. Nine European countries have joined the project, and Ukraine provides the interceptor missile.
President Zelenskyy announced that the FREYJA project will involve the Ukrainian company Fire Point and European companies, including Thales, HENSOLDT, Saab.
President Zelenskyy stated that the joint FREYJA system will strengthen the defense of Ukraine and Europe. He believes that this, together with strikes on the Russian economy, will force Putin to sit down for negotiations.
In Paris, Ukraine and nine European countries signed a declaration on the creation of a defense coalition for a joint air defense system. The coalition will combine the defense-industrial base and experience, including Ukraine's unique experience in defending against Russian aggression.
Ukraine initiated the creation of the Integrated Coalition for Missile Defense, which nine European countries have officially joined. The coalition will work on building the pan-European anti-ballistic shield Freyja.
Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov reported on a new delivery of mobile F-16 simulators. The simulators are designed specifically for Ukrainian pilots and will allow increasing the intensity of training.