Key facts
- Ukraine and the EU signed a drone production agreement to merge Ukrainian expertise with European industrial scale.
- The EU is preparing a new €10 billion military package for Ukraine, which will include Patriot interceptors.
- EU ambassadors delayed a decision on the 21st package of sanctions against Russia.
- EU foreign ministers adopted a paper criticizing China and Russia for reshaping the global order.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, leading to public criticism.
- EU countries agreed to extend temporary protection for Ukrainians until March 2028, but excluded military-age men.
Ukraine and the European Union have signed a significant drone production deal aimed at leveraging Ukraine's expertise with Europe's industrial capacity. This agreement was highlighted by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during her visit to Kyiv, which also saw a Russian drone attack that briefly forced her to an underground shelter.
In parallel, the EU is preparing a new €10 billion military aid package for Ukraine, which will specifically include funding for Patriot interceptors. This comes as EU ambassadors failed to agree on the 21st package of sanctions against Russia, postponing the decision to allow for further negotiations.
On the political front within Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a move that has drawn significant public criticism and calls for protests. Fedorov's dismissal is reportedly linked to clashes over military reforms and mobilization challenges. Serhii Koretskyi, CEO of Naftogaz, has been nominated as the next prime minister, with a parliamentary vote scheduled.
Globally, EU foreign ministers have adopted a strong statement accusing China and Russia of attempting to reshape the international order. Meanwhile, the EU has agreed to extend temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees until March 2028, though military-aged men will be excluded. Brussels is also seeking exemptions from US tariffs on a substantial list of European goods.
Elsewhere, former Hungarian foreign minister Péter Szijjártó has resigned from parliament to join Chinese electric carmaker BYD, and Jared Kushner has been involved in discussions regarding Gaza's recovery.