President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, proposed investing €500 billion euros ($535 billion) in defense to address underinvestment prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The details of the plan were not clear, leading to skepticism among EU diplomats.
The discussion took place at the EU summit where Ukrainian President Zelensky signed military-aid agreements. However, there was uncertainty about how the investment would be financed, with debates around joint borrowing similar to the Covid recovery program.
In contrast, EU member nations spent €240 billion on defense in 2022 after the Ukrainian invasion by Russia. The proposal faces opposition from countries like Germany and the Netherlands, while France and Estonia support the idea of eurobonds.
In the US presidential debate, Trump evaded questions about Ukraine, labeling Putin as a war criminal, while Biden criticized Trump’s lack of understanding. Trump repeatedly refused to address Putin’s demands regarding Ukraine and belittled Zelensky.
On the other hand, Biden stood up for Ukraine, denouncing Putin as a war criminal with ambitions beyond Ukraine. The debate highlighted contrasting views on the situation in Ukraine and the role of the US in supporting the country.
The IOC invited Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in the Paris Olympics under a neutral flag, with some declining the offer due to their involvement in the war against Ukraine. Athletes are being scrutinized for ties to the conflict to ensure fair participation.
With the Olympics approaching, the lists of participating athletes are being finalized, with strict criteria to prevent individuals with connections to the war from competing.
Bulgarian president Rumen Radev withdrew from the NATO summit in protest against the framework positions adopted by the Council of Ministers regarding Ukraine. Radev disagreed with Bulgaria’s obligations in the war, leading to his absence from the summit.
The decision to skip the NATO summit reflects Radev’s stance on the conflict in Ukraine and his criticisms of NATO’s involvement in providing weapons to Ukraine.
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