Authorities conduct search at European Parliament in relation to alleged Russian interference, officials confirm

Belgium’s federal prosecutor’s office has confirmed that law enforcement officials have carried out searches at the residence and office of a European Parliament employee in Brussels, as well as the employee’s office in Strasbourg, France. The searches are part of an investigation into possible Russian interference, along with passive corruption and membership in a criminal organization. According to prosecutors, the investigation focuses on indications of Russian influence and the payment of European Parliament members to promote Russian propaganda through the Voice of Europe news website. The employee in question is believed to have had a significant role in these activities.

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Ukraine’s Zelenskiy and Belgium PM sign security pact

Ukraine and Belgium on Tuesday finalized a bilateral security agreement, which includes the delivery of 30 F-16 fighter jets. The pact was signed during a meeting in Brussels between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.

In a social media post, Zelenskiy announced that the agreement consists of a total of 977 million euros in military aid from Belgium to Ukraine this year. Moreover, Belgium has committed to providing ongoing support throughout the ten-year term of the agreement.

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EU urged to find alternative route to tackle Hungary’s consistent obstruction of assistance for Ukraine – Lithuanian foreign minister

Hungary is persistently impeding all European Union initiatives to provide support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, Lithuanian foreign minister Gabrielis Landsbergis stated on Monday, emphasizing the need for the bloc to “identify an alternative approach.”

“We must recognize that this is a methodical strategy aimed at undermining EU’s role in foreign affairs,” Landsbergis acknowledged, expressing concern over the severity of the situation.

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AfD lead candidate to step down from party board

Maximilian Krah, the lead candidate for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the European parliament elections, has announced that he will no longer participate in campaign activities and will resign from the party’s leadership board.

Krah has recently faced a series of controversies. In a recent interview, the right-wing politician made a statement suggesting that wearing an SS uniform did not automatically make someone a criminal.

This comment has resulted in France’s National Rally declaring that they will not align with the AfD in the upcoming parliament, highlighting divisions within Europe’s far-right and nationalist movements just weeks before the European elections.

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Germany’s foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, has issued a warning that Ukraine urgently needs to enhance its air defense systems in order to protect itself from a barrage of Russian missiles. Baerbock made this urgent call during her unannounced visit to Kyiv, following reports of a Russian drone attack that resulted in injuries in the Kharkiv region. She stated that the situation in Ukraine has dramatically worsened due to relentless Russian aerial assaults on civilian infrastructure and a brutal offensive in the Kharkiv region. Baerbock emphasized that Ukraine requires an immediate boost in air defense capabilities to defend against the “rain of Russian drones and missiles.” She expressed her firm conviction that Ukraine will ultimately emerge victorious in this war. Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has also pleaded with allies to provide additional air defense systems and fighter jets to counter Russia’s air superiority. Zelenskiy stated that Ukraine needs around 120 to 130 F-16 fighter jets or other advanced aircraft to achieve parity with Russia.

Ukraine retains control over approximately 60% of the border town of Vovchansk, despite ongoing Russian offensive operations, according to deputy governor Roman Semenukha. In an interview with national television on Monday, Semenukha stated that the Ukrainian armed forces continue to face attacks and attempts to push them out of the town. The Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region has been successful in recent months, as Kyiv has struggled with shortages of reserves and weaponry, partly due to delays in US military aid. The surprise assault launched by Russian forces on May 10th has resulted in significant territorial gains. Ukrainian officials have also accused Russian soldiers in Vovchansk of using civilians as “human shields” to protect their command headquarters, although these claims have yet to be independently verified.

Zelenskiy asserts that the situation in the Kharkiv region has been “brought under control” – reports

In one area, Russian forces have made a 10 km incursion into Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that the situation has “now been stabilized” according to the RBC-Ukraine media outlet.

Addressing journalists, Zelenskiy said, “As of today, our defense forces have managed to stabilize the situation and contain the Russian forces at their current position. The deepest point of their advance is 10 km,”.

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Zelenskiy heads to Kharkiv amidst Russian offensive in northern region

Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, made his way to Kharkiv on Thursday in response to Russia’s recent incursion across the border in the northern part of the region, opening up a new front in the ongoing war.

Zelenskiy took to Telegram to inform the public that he held a meeting with senior leaders in Kharkiv, stating:

As of today, the situation in Kharkiv oblast is generally under control, our soldiers are inflicting significant losses on the occupier. But the direction remains extremely difficult – we are strengthening our units.

During the meeting, Zelenskiy and commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi discussed the combat situation, potential threats in the near future, and strategies to counter Russia’s offensive plans.

An official photo of Volodymyr Zelenskiy during the meeting in Kharkiv, provided by the Ukrainian president’s office Photograph: Office of the Ukrainian presidentShare

Ukraine declares withdrawal of troops in certain areas of Kharkiv region

Ukraine has carried out a troop withdrawal near several villages in the north-eastern region of Kharkiv, where Russian forces have been advancing and attacking settlements along the border. The move comes as Moscow launched a surprise ground assault on the region last week, with Kyiv facing challenges in terms of weapons and manpower.

To protect their troops and minimize casualties, Ukrainian military units are said to have maneuvered and relocated to more favorable positions in response to enemy fire and ground assaults. This development, reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP), follows the language typically used by both sides to indicate a retreat throughout the ongoing conflict.

The villages of Lukyantsi and Vovchansk, located close to the Russian border, have been specifically targeted in the recent offensive. Despite the difficult situation, Ukraine’s general staff affirms that they are preventing the Russian forces from establishing a foothold in the region.

In order to counter Russia’s advancements, Kyiv has swiftly deployed reinforcements to the area. Military analysts suggest that Moscow may be attempting to divert Ukrainian troops from other strategic locations, such as the town of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region, where Russia has also been making progress.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy acknowledged the challenging situation in both the Donetsk and Kharkiv regions, emphasizing the significance of these areas in the conflict.

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Zelenskiy urges stronger air defenses as Blinken arrives in Kyiv

The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, landed in Kyiv on Tuesday morning on his inaugural visit to Ukraine following the approval of a major US aid package last month, as Ukrainian forces grapple with escalating Russian assaults.

Blinken, who made a surprise visit by train from Poland, had a meeting with Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, shortly after his arrival.

“Some of it has already arrived and more of it will be arriving,” said Blinken referring to the US aid. “And that’s going to have a significant impact on countering the ongoing Russian aggression on the battlefield.”

Zelenskiy emphasized the importance of the US aid and expressed gratitude to Blinken. However, he also stated that Ukraine urgently requires two additional air defense systems to safeguard the city of Kharkiv, which has repeatedly been targeted by Russian attacks in recent weeks.

Read the complete article here.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba attend a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Kyiv. Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/ReutersShare