Financial Times

Hungary will not participate in the Bucharest Nine summit in Riga. The Allies are considering the possibility of excluding the country from the defense club.

Ukraine needs significant funds to repair the energy infrastructure damaged by Russian strikes before winter sets in, so tariffs were raised to increase the budget for restoration work and repair as many facilities as possible in a timely manner.

Biden and Macron hope that the G7 countries will agree to a фонд 50 billion fund to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.

The European Commission has recommended that the EU start accession negotiations with Ukraine this month, as Ukraine has implemented all additional measures and continues its systematic efforts to join the EU amid the war on Russian aggression.

The European Commission will recommend starting EU accession talks with Ukraine in June, before Hungary takes over the bloc's presidency.

Ukraine's Energy Ministry denied a Financial Times article claiming that Ukrainians could spend most of the day without electricity by winter, saying it showed signs of disinformation and psychological surgery in Russia's interests.

NATO is considering a three-step process of responding to Russian sabotage attempts and hybrid threats, including publicly exposing attacks, strengthening infrastructure protection, and taking direct measures such as restricting access to Russian diplomats.

China is ready for mutually beneficial cooperation with Russia on the Power of Siberia-2 gas pipeline project, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.

Putin discussed with Xi Jinping the suspended operation to build the power of Siberia-2 gas pipeline due to China's demands to reduce prices and supply volumes, potential financing by Chinese banks of the Russian defense industry in the face of US sanctions, and China's refusal to participate in the summit on Ukraine in Geneva.

The EU is considering imposing import duties on Russian goods such as food, nuclear fuel and medicines to reduce Russia's export revenues and use the funds received to support Ukraine in the ongoing war.

Zelensky and Biden may sign a bilateral security agreement ahead of a peace summit in Switzerland, symbolizing Kiev's support amid tensions between the two countries.

Czech arms manufacturer Czechoslavak Group, the largest supplier of ammunition in Central Europe, said that due to quality problems quality problems, about 50% of the shells promised to Ukraine will not be shipped as quickly as planned, as some components require additional processing or replacement.

Hungary's Viktor Orban-led government is delaying EU legislation that would allow Ukraine to receive up to €2 billion in arms aid, dealing a blow to efforts to mobilize proceeds from frozen Russian assets.

The EU is preparing to tighten sanctions against belarus, which will, among other things, close a loophole that allowed russia to import Western luxury goods and goods with potential military use.

EU countries intend to reach an agreement within a few weeks on the next package of sanctions against Russia, targeting Moscow's “shadow fleet” of oil tankers, banning the re-export of Russian liquefied gas and imposing individual sanctions on more than 100 people involved in the deportation of Ukrainians and arms production.

Several EU countries are pushing for sanctions against Georgia, including the suspension of visa-free travel, in response to Georgia's attempts to introduce a law on "foreign agents" similar to russian law, despite EU warnings and mass protests.

The G7 allies are set on a US plan to freeze Russian assets for Ukraine even before a potential Trump presidency, the FT reports.

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas claims that the training of NATO soldiers in Ukraine will not automatically escalate the war with Russia and will not trigger Article 5 of the NATO Mutual Defense Treaty.

A court in st. petersburg has seized assets worth more than €700 million from UniCredit, Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank over a dispute with a Gazprom subsidiary over a contract with German company Linde.

European banks have tripled their profits in Russia since the start of the full-scale war, despite pressure to leave the country due to sanctions and the risk of heavy fines.

Georgia's application for EU membership will be frozen if the controversial Russian-inspired law on "foreign agents" is passed.

Japan, South Korea, and Australia are tightening regulations to limit the market power of large tech groups such as Apple and Google, creating new regulatory challenges similar to those in the EU and the US.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonite says she is ready to send Lithuanian troops to Ukraine for a training mission.

Germany has recalled its ambassador from russia for consultations amid accusations that Moscow was involved in cyberattacks on German defense, aerospace companies and the ruling party.

Finland is increasing its combat capability and preparing for a possible confrontation with Russia by intensifying military agreements with private companies, accumulating the necessary stocks and using its large reserve forces.

The EU military operation in the Red Sea is facing problems due to insufficient forces: only 3 frigates are unable to reliably protect merchant ships from Houthi attacks in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

European intelligence agencies warn of russia's plans for large-scale sabotage across the continent, including explosions, arson and attacks on infrastructure that could lead to civilian casualties.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan says Ukraine is planning a counteroffensive in 2025 after receiving $61 billion in US military aid.

Despite Ukraine's insistence, the G7 countries reportedly no longer have the idea of full confiscation of frozen Russian assets on the table, instead exploring alternative ways to obtain funds from these assets to support Ukraine.

Disruptions in global trade due to attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen, which force ships to avoid the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, could last until next year.