Netherlands
Flash floods have claimed the lives of at least 359 people, while more than 1,400 are missing. They include citizens of more than 30 countries.
Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain and Poland, among others, are calling on the European Commission to resume work on using more than €200 billion in Russian assets. Belgium fears legal and financial risks.
This summer, heat claimed at least 35,000 lives in Europe. The highest number of deaths was recorded in Germany, France and Spain.
The United States, European countries and others reaffirmed their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Politicians praised the resilience of Ukrainians.
The PanStar Acro set sail from Busan to Europe via the Northern Sea Route. The route cuts the journey by 7,000 km, but carries environmental and political risks.
Russia is spreading an alternative version of the history of the Scythian gold. The collection was lawfully returned to Ukraine in November 2023.
A container ship from Busan will travel to Europe via the Arctic, with stops in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Poland. The journey will take 40–45 days.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto dismissed speculation about Russia's involvement in the explosion at the KNDS Ammo Italy plant in Colleferro. The incident occurred on August 13; there were no casualties.
In the first half of the year, Ukrainians purchased around 1,500 residential properties in Spain, ranking 10th and 11th among foreign buyers. The average housing price reached a record €2,487 per square meter.
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.