French president Emmanuel Macron highlights the need for a stronger defense in Europe

In a recent speech, French president Emmanuel Macron raised concerns about the existential threat posed to Europe by Russian aggression. He called for a “credible” defense strategy that is less reliant on the United States, as reported by Agence France-Presse.

Macron described Russia’s behavior following its invasion of Ukraine as “uninhibited” and expressed uncertainty about Moscow’s “limits.”

During his speech, Macron also criticized the United States and China for disregarding global trade rules. He urged the European Union to reconsider its trade policy in response.

“We must recognize that our Europe is mortal and it can perish,” Macron stated. “Its survival depends solely on our choices.” He warned that Europe is ill-prepared to face the risks of a changing world where “the rules of the game have changed.”

Macron emphasized the risk of Europe’s decline and highlighted the continent’s “encirclement” by other regional powers. He called for a more ambitious and powerful Europe that is respected and ensures its own security, regaining its strategic autonomy.

According to AFP, Macron emphasized the need for Europe to be a master of its own destiny, reducing its dependence on Moscow for energy and Washington for security.

Macron stated that the primary condition for European security is preventing Russia from succeeding in its aggression against Ukraine. He stressed the importance of developing a credible European defense strategy and emphasized that Europe should not be subservient to the United States.

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German leader emphasizes the need for increased support to Ukraine from Europe following the US approval of new military aid.

German chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that Europe must continue to enhance its assistance to Ukraine, even after the significant US aid package approval. However, he maintained his stance of not sending Taurus long-range cruise missiles to Kyiv, according to the Associated Press (AP).

After a meeting with UK prime minister Rishi Sunak in Berlin, Scholz confirmed that both countries, being the largest military suppliers in Europe to Ukraine in its battle against Russia’s invasion, are committed to providing ongoing support “for as long as it takes.”

Scholz expressed his satisfaction with the progress made on the US aid package, which had faced delays for months, describing it as “an encouraging and necessary signal.”

UK prime minister Rishi Sunak (left) and Germany’s chancellor Olaf Scholz speak during a press conference in Berlin on Wednesday. Photograph: Henry Nicholls/PA

“But I also want to say clearly that the United States’s decision doesn’t release us here in Europe from the task of further expanding our support for Ukraine so that the country can defend itself against the aggressor,” he stated.

As per the AP report, Scholz, who recently committed to providing a third Patriot missile battery to Ukraine, urged other European countries with the system to consider offering their spare batteries.

When asked whether he would reconsider his refusal to supply Taurus missiles, which has drawn criticism, Scholz reiterated the military equipment Germany has already provided and said, “As far as the weapons system you mention is concerned, my decision won’t change.”

Scholz has argued that the responsible use of Taurus missiles requires German soldiers as part of the mission, regardless of whether they are based in Ukraine or deployed elsewhere. Crossing that line is something he is not willing to do.

Sunak, who pledged new military aid to Ukraine on Tuesday, praised Germany’s contribution to air defense efforts and highlighted that “every country has got different things that it can bring to the table.”

The shortage of shells and air defense systems has left Ukrainian troops vulnerable, allowing Russian forces to make advances in certain parts of eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy has urgently appealed for increased international assistance, warning that his country will lose the war without it.

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Commission proposes unique Brexit deal for 18 to 30 year olds

In a groundbreaking move, the European Commission has put forward a proposal to open negotiations with the UK, offering young adults between the ages of 18 to 30 the opportunity to enjoy the same freedom of movement they had before Brexit. This significant concession aims to partially eliminate one of the most contentious aspects of Brexit, which is the restriction on visa-free living in each other’s countries.

To implement this agreement, the European Commission will seek approval from individual EU leaders, kickstarting talks that could bring about greater ease of travel, work, and living arrangements for millions of young citizens. According to the detailed statement released by the Commission, both EU and UK citizens within the 18 to 30 age bracket would be allowed to stay in the destination country for up to 4 years.

The Commission’s objective is to facilitate youth exchanges and promote seamless mobility for young EU citizens in the UK, while extending reciprocity to young UK nationals residing in EU member states. This progressive proposal marks a significant step forward in addressing the concerns of young adults affected by Brexit.

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Zelenskiy condemns lack of air defense equipment following Chernihiv attack and urges greater support from the west

Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the president of Ukraine, attributed the attack in Chernihiv to Russia, while also asserting that western countries should provide more assistance in defending Ukraine’s airspace, according to reports from Agence France-Presse (AFP).

In a social media post, Zelenskiy stated, “This would not have occurred if Ukraine had received adequate air defense equipment and if the global determination to counter Russian terrorism had been sufficient.”

He further stated, “Ukraine’s determination is sufficient. There must be an equally strong determination from our allies and, consequently, adequate support,” reiterating the need for greater assistance from western partners.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba echoed Zelenskiy’s sentiments in a separate social media post, proposing that Ukraine should have the same protection against aerial attacks as Israel.

“In the Middle East, we witnessed what effective protection of human lives from missiles entails,” Kuleba stated, referring to the interception of Iran’s drone and missile onslaught on Israel by western and Israeli forces.

Additionally, Kuleba expressed gratitude towards Germany for agreeing to provide Ukraine with an additional Patriot air defense system. He also announced plans to approach other countries at a G7 meeting scheduled for this week to request further weaponry.

These statements join a growing chorus in Ukraine calling on allied nations to supply more advanced air defense weapons to counter the regular Russian attacks on critical infrastructure.

The mayor confirmed that an infrastructure facility had been directly targeted, but it was not related to energy production.

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Concerns Rise as Zaporizhzhia Power Plant Comes Under Attack

In a recent development, Ukraine’s UN ambassador, Sergiy Kyslytsya, has accused Russia of carrying out a “well-planned false-flag operation” endangering the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP).

Reports suggest that the power plant was targeted with at least three direct strikes on April 7th, followed by a drone attack at the plant’s training center on April 9th. These incidents have prompted the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to issue a warning about a potential “major escalation” in the nuclear threat.

While Russia has accused Ukrainian drones of carrying out these attacks, Kyiv has firmly rejected these allegations.

During a UN security council meeting last week, Kyslytsya stated, “What happened at the ZNPP on 7th and 9th of April 2024 and thereafter was a well-planned false-flag operation by the Russian Federation. It was aimed at shifting the focus from the above root cause and the only way to remove all threats to nuclear safety and security, and that is de-occupation of the station.”

He further added, “The Russian Federation attempts to hide its own guilt and move our debate to fabricated issues designed to blame Ukraine in the hope of removing the issue of de-occupation from the agenda.”

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant was captured by Russia early on in the two-year-long war. Despite occasional attempts to reconnect to the Russian energy grid, its reactors have been gradually shut down.

On April 13th, the IAEA confirmed that all six reactors of the plant are now in a state of cold shutdown. However, Rafael Mariano Grossi, the head of the IAEA, has voiced concerns over the “reckless attacks” and the increased risk of a “major nuclear accident,” calling for an immediate halt to such actions.

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US House speaker in discussions with White House to advance Ukraine assistance

After facing months of delay, a senior House Republican has confirmed that the US House speaker is engaged in negotiations with the White House to move forward with funding for Ukraine. The new aid package, which would deviate from the Senate’s $95 billion foreign security package and include Republican demands, is currently being discussed, according to the Associated Press.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has been under increasing pressure to secure an aid package for Ukraine, not only from President Joe Biden, who has repeatedly criticized Republicans for not providing assistance, but also from conservative members of Johnson’s party who strongly oppose any further aid to Ukraine.

House Republican leader Steve Scalise told reporters on Thursday that no agreement has been reached yet. “Obviously there would have to be an agreement reached not just with the White House, but with our own members,” Scalise stated.

Johnson is scheduled to meet with former President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago club in Florida on Friday. Johnson has reportedly been seeking Trump’s support for the Ukraine funding, or at the very least, to prevent him from openly opposing it. Trump, who aims to steer the US towards a more isolationist approach, has previously expressed willingness to negotiate an end to the Ukrainian conflict.

The aid package may involve providing financial assistance to Kyiv in the form of a loan or redirecting Russian assets seized under the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity (Repo) for Ukrainians Act. This would diverge from previous aid packages directed towards Ukraine. However, opponents of the aid, such as congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, are unlikely to be swayed. Greene has threatened to remove Johnson as speaker and argued that advancing Ukraine funding would support her case for selecting a new speaker among GOP lawmakers.

Republican congressman Don Bacon, who supports providing aid to Ukraine, emphasized the importance of addressing the situation. “This becomes a more dangerous world with Russia in Kyiv,” he stated. “So we just have to find a smart way to pass a bill that we can send to the Senate.”

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Opening summary

Good morning, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy called for more air defence supplies on Thursday morning after Russia used over 40 missiles and 40 drones to deal damage to the country’s national grid infrastructure in five regions.

Here is a roundup of the other big stories:

• A Russian strike on a grocery store and a pharmacy in the north-eastern Kharkiv region killed three people, including a 14-year-old girl, on Wednesday. The strike on Lyptsi, about 10km from the Russian border, also injured a 16-year-old boy and a woman. Another strike with guided aerial bombs destroyed a hospital in the border town of Vovchansk.

• In Ukraine’s southern Odesa region, Russian missiles killed four people, including a girl aged 10, and injured seven more, the governor, Oleg Kiper, said on Telegram. Ukraine’s energy ministry said two facilities in the south had been targeted in strikes during the night, causing power outages in two regions.

• In Russia, a Ukrainian drone attack on Wednesday killed three people, including two children, in the Kursk border region, the local governor said. The drone fired a rocket at a civilian car in a village in Korenevski district, the governor, Roman Starovoyt, said on Telegram.

• Blasts were reported in Ukraine’s north-eastern, southern and western regions on Thursday morning. Explosions were heard in the city of Kharkiv, its mayor, Ihor Terekhov, said on Telegram. The Kharkiv attack left more than 200,000 consumers without power, Oleksiy Kuleba, the deputy head of the Ukrainian president’s office, said. There were also blasts in the Zaporizhzhia region, according to its governor, Ivan Fedorov. The governor of the Lviv region, Maksim Kozytskyi, said on Telegram that air defences were working in the area.

• The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, called for more air defence supplies on Thursday after Russia used more than 40 missiles and 40 drones to deal damage to the country’s critical infrastructure, including substations and power-generating facilities, in five regions.

• The top US general in Europe has told Congress Ukraine will be outgunned 10 to one by Russia within a matter of weeks if more ammunition and weapons are not sent to Kyiv soon. “The Russians fire five times as many artillery shells at the Ukrainians than the Ukrainians are able to fire back. That will immediately go to 10 to one in a matter of weeks,” Gen Christopher Cavoli said. “We’re not talking about months. We’re not talking hypothetically.”

• Joe Biden on Wednesday urged the US House of Representatives to vote immediately on the $60bn Ukraine bill. “There’s overwhelming support for Ukraine among the majority of Democrats and Republicans. There should be a vote now,” the president told reporters. The funds passed the Senate but have languished for months in the House, where the speaker, Mike Johnson, has refused to bring a vote to the floor.

• Russia’s foreign ministry has criticised plans to hold a Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland as being motivated byelections in the US. The conference is to be held on 15-16 June and Swiss media have said Biden is expected to attend. “American Democrats, who need photos and videos of events that supposedly indicate their project ‘Ukraine’ is still afloat, are behind this,” the Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told state-run Tass news agency.

• Ukrainian politicians have sparked anger by scrapping a clause in a draft law that would have given soldiers serving for more than 36 months the possibility to be discharged. The clause was removed ahead of its second reading after pressure from the military. The reversal sparked anger across a society exhausted by years of war and risked sapping morale in the stretched armed forces.

• The EU’s top court has removed war-related sanctions against prominent billionaires Petr Aven and Mikhail Fridman. The court of justice ruled that the European Council had not presented enough evidence to establish that the pair were involved in efforts that “undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine”.

• Eight Nordic and Baltic nations are pushing for more support for Ukraine. The Swedish foreign minister, Tobias Billström, said the country supported “an increased role for Nato in providing security related assistance to Ukraine”.

• Ukraine and UK signed a framework agreement to cooperate in the defence and arms production sector, officials said in Kyiv, part of a wartime effort to build up Ukraine’s domestic weapons industry by working with allies.

• China vowed not to accept “criticism or pressure” over its ties with Russia, after Washington warned that it will hold Beijing responsible if Moscow makes gains in Ukraine.

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Ukrainian reform plans and an investment agenda will be discussed by EU finance ministers in Luxemburg this week, as Kyiv seeks to secure funding, according to sources in the German finance ministry.

The sources from the ministry expressed appreciation for Ukraine’s ambitious approach.

Ukraine has outlined 15 key areas and 69 reform plans, however, further details were not provided by the sources.

The European Union’s Ukraine Facility has a budget of €50 billion ($54.29 billion) for the period between 2024 and 2027.

Financial assistance will be provided through grants (constituting one third of the facility) and loans (making up the remaining two thirds), contingent on the implementation of reforms in Ukraine.

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Cameron has a meeting with Trump to strengthen Ukraine support

Good morning and welcome to the Ukraine live blog. We start with news that David Cameron has held talks with Donald Trump in Florida in an effort to strengthen support for Ukraine and advance a new aid package that is currently delayed in Congress.

According to a statement from the Foreign Office, the meeting between Cameron and Trump is a routine international engagement and covers discussions on Ukraine, the Gaza conflict, and the future of Nato.

Trump has previously expressed concerns about aid to Ukraine and questioned America’s commitment to Nato. Cameron’s visit to Washington will emphasize the importance of Ukraine’s success in countering Russia for American and European security and urge lawmakers to approve further assistance for the country.

During his visit, Cameron will meet with Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan, Mitch McConnell, and hopefully Mike Johnson to discuss the urgent need for additional Ukraine aid. The House speaker, Mike Johnson, has been delaying the vote on an extra $60bn (£47bn) of Ukraine aid. Notably, Cameron is not scheduled to meet with US President Joe Biden.

Cameron, on behalf of the UK, will advocate for Ukraine to receive the necessary resources to take a more offensive stance by 2025 and hopes to change the narrative around support for Kyiv.

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Authorities confirm downing of another drone at nuclear plant, landing on reactor roof

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, under Russian control, has revealed that yet another drone was successfully shot down, this time landing on the roof of reactor number six. This development was reported by Reuters, who received the information directly from operators at the plant.

In an official statement, the plant confirmed the incident, referring to the drone as a “kamikaze drone” and provided an image of the affected reactor. As a precautionary measure, reactor number six has been temporarily shut down.

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