Author: John Moretti

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed confidence in European allies to continue supporting NATO, despite a far-right victory in the French elections. The rise of Marine Le Pen’s National Rally in France reflects a shift towards anti-immigration sentiments and decreased support for Ukraine. Pro-Kyiv parties face challenges as right-wing groups gain momentum across EU member states and the US. This political shift has not deterred Blinken from emphasizing NATO’s commitment to defense across the alliance. JOIN US ON TELEGRAM Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. Despite the European Parliament’s lean towards isolationist right-wing ideologies, Italy’s Prime…

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…

President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to sign security agreements with EU nations in Belgium, focusing on financing weapons deliveries, troop training, and defense industry support for Ukraine. These agreements, approved by individual EU member countries, are seen as a gesture of solidarity. Zelensky views them as a stepping stone to NATO membership, although concrete aid commitments were not included. Simultaneously, EU accession negotiations with Ukraine have commenced, marking a significant milestone. Zelensky expressed determination to navigate through all chapters of relations with the EU toward an accession treaty. In a lighter moment, Zelensky’s journey from comedy sketches on Ukraine’s EU…

Reports from two US officials suggest that a new military aid package for Ukraine may be sent on Tuesday, valued at $150 million. This would be part of the $61 billion allocated by Capitol Hill in April, with the last $225 million package approved on June 7. The upcoming shipment is anticipated to contain missiles for the HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems), which have been crucial in recent military operations. The HIMARS systems have outreached the ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System), significantly impacting the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Additionally, the White House has announced funding for over three million…

Russia’s Ministry of Defense blamed Washington for the Ukrainian missile strike on occupied Crimea, calling it a “terror attack” that killed five people and injured over 100. Debris from the intercepted missiles rained down on Sevastopol’s beaches. The Russian Ministry of Defense warned of a response to the attack. On the same day, Russia launched air strikes on Kharkiv and Kyiv, killing two and injuring many. The Ukrainian Air Force managed to intercept some of the missiles. The Ministry of Defense accused the US of responsibility for the attacks. The Conservative party in Germany called for the expulsion of unemployed…

The race for NATO General Secretary saw Romanian President Klaus Iohannis exit, leaving outgoing Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte as the likely successor to Jens Stoltenberg. Approval by NATO ambassadors is expected soon. Rutte, known as “Teflon Mark” for surviving domestic scandals, stepped down as party leader before winning approval from key NATO members. Despite challenges from Turkey and Hungary, Rutte is set to become the fourth Dutchman to lead NATO. As the U.S. gears up for November elections, Rutte’s diplomatic skills have been commended, especially amid tensions with the Trump administration threatening to withdraw from NATO. Russia has jailed…

Russian President Vladimir Putin made a historic visit to North Korea to meet with ally Kim Jong Un, marking the first state visit to the nation during the Covid-19 pandemic. The two leaders discussed strategic partnerships amidst Western accusations of sanctions violations. During the visit, Putin praised Kim for supporting Russia’s actions in Ukraine, highlighting their shared defiance against US pressures. The Kremlin emphasized the importance of stability in northeast Asia through this meeting. Following the Pyongyang agenda, Putin plans to travel to Vietnam, further solidifying Russia’s diplomatic engagements in the region. Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv regional military…

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced that 23 out of 32 member countries have committed to spending at least two percent of GDP on defense, fulfilling a 10-year-old pledge during his meeting with US President Joe Biden at the White House. The increase in defense spending this year by NATO allies, the largest in decades, is seen as a response to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. Latvia has sent the first batch of drones to Ukraine as part of an international “Drone Coalition,” aiming to support Ukraine’s defense efforts. The project, which has raised approximately €549 million, involves several countries, including…

At a campaign rally in Detroit, Michigan, US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump vowed to halt Ukraine’s military aid requests if elected. He criticized Ukrainian President Zelensky for seeking funds, claiming he would resolve the issue before taking office. Trump lost the 2020 elections and faced backlash for attempting to overturn the results and blackmailing Kyiv for political gain. In contrast, British pop star Rod Stewart faced criticism at a concert in Germany for supporting Ukraine. Despite the audience’s negative response, Stewart continued to show support for Ukraine by condemning Russian President Putin. He has been vocal in his advocacy…

Zelensky assures Chinese President pledges not to supply weapons to Russia During the G7 summit, Zelensky disclosed that Chinese President Xi Jinping committed to not supplying any weaponry to Russia. The assurance came during a phone call, where President Xi guaranteed that China would not facilitate the transfer of arms to Russia. Furthermore, Zelensky expressed his skepticism by stating, “He gave me his word.” This declaration follows reports from anonymous sources in the Biden administration in April, revealing China’s role in supplying crucial technology, such as microelectronics and machine tools, necessary for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. ZELENSKY: “[Xi] said that…