The U.S. government approved a potential sale to upgrade Ukraine’s Patriot air defense launchers to the latest M903 configuration, a deal that could be worth up to $105 million. This upgrade includes equipment and services to improve existing launchers, along with ground support and training, enhancing Ukraine’s defense capabilities against Russian attacks. This move follows the initial delivery of Patriot systems in 2023 and aims to provide more advanced missile defense. The sale, supported by contractors like RTX Corp. and Lockheed Martin, will also provide critical training.
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Poland’s Foreign Minister announced the allocation of $100 million from the Foreign Ministry budget to support Ukraine’s defense, specifically through the PURL program for purchasing US arms. The PURL program is a NATO initiative where allies buy American arms and ammunition based on Kyiv’s priorities. Poland decided to join the program after previously opting out, with over half of NATO members participating. Sikorski also met with NATO’s Secretary-General and will discuss the war in Ukraine with other EU foreign ministers. Furthermore, the meeting will cover Belarusian hybrid attacks and recent sabotage incidents on Polish railways.
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In a shift to address budgetary demands, Russia’s Central Bank has initiated the sale of physical gold from its reserves. This change involves “mirroring” Finance Ministry transactions within the National Wealth Fund, moving from paper-based operations to actual sales on the domestic market. The National Wealth Fund’s gold holdings have significantly decreased since the invasion of Ukraine, indicating a reliance on these assets to fund wartime spending. These gold sales, along with similar yuan transactions, aim to inject foreign currency into the domestic market and stabilize the ruble amid declining oil and gas revenues.
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Following a laser incident targeting RAF pilots, the UK is monitoring a Russian spy ship, the Yantar, near its waters. Defence officials have expressed concern over the ship’s intelligence gathering capabilities, particularly its potential to map undersea cables. Former MI6 head Sir Richard Dearlove suggested the Navy may be prepared to take aggressive actions if the Yantar moves closer, like firing a warning shot. Russia has dismissed the accusations, claiming the Yantar is a research vessel operating in international waters, yet the UK government views the situation as a new era of threat.
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Despite widespread public displays of support for Ukraine by EU leaders, financial and military contributions vary significantly across member states. Data reveals a stark contrast, with countries like Denmark contributing a substantial portion of their GDP compared to nations such as Spain. Nordic and Baltic countries generally offer the most aid relative to their economic output, while some nations contribute considerably less. This disparity prompted criticism, urging leaders to match their rhetoric with financial commitments to ensure continued support for Ukraine, especially given the impending budget shortfall.
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Poland will close Russia’s consulate in Gdańsk, the last remaining Russian diplomatic post in the country, in response to suspected Russian-linked sabotage attacks. Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski labeled the attacks on the Warsaw-Lublin railway, a critical route for aid to Ukraine, as “an act of state terrorism” and confirmed investigations into the events. Investigators have identified two Ukrainian nationals allegedly collaborating with Russian intelligence, who fled to Belarus after the incidents. Poland has warned for months that its role as a key transit hub for military aid to Ukraine makes it a prime target for covert Russian operations.
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The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has voiced its support for Donald Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine, emphasizing that Russia could immediately end the conflict by withdrawing its troops. This backing follows reports of a US-crafted peace plan that reportedly pressures Kyiv to cede territory and weapons. A UK representative stated London shares Trump’s desire to end the war. This development comes amid reports of the US secretly working with Russia on a peace plan and efforts involving Qatar and Türkiye as mediators.
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The White House and Moscow are secretly collaborating on a 28-point peace proposal to end the war in Ukraine, involving U.S. and Russian envoys who have extensively discussed the plan. This deal reportedly centers on peace in Ukraine, European security, security guarantees, and future U.S. relations with Kyiv and Moscow. Russian officials have expressed optimism about the plan, indicating that the Russian position is being heard, with the aim of presenting a written document before a potential meeting between President Trump and President Putin, despite the cancellation of a prior summit. U.S. officials have begun briefing Ukrainian and European officials on the proposal, while a planned meeting with President Zelensky has been postponed.
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Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a shift in strategy, committing to provide Ukraine with long-range missile systems while refusing to disclose specifics due to strategic ambiguity aimed at Russia. This change in policy follows months of collaboration with Ukrainian officials and will focus on bolstering Ukrainian military capabilities, including potentially domestic production of the systems. In response to Russia’s targeting of Ukrainian infrastructure, Germany also pledged an additional €3 billion in military support for 2026, primarily for air defense. Furthermore, Merz noted ongoing daily coordination with the US on potential peace efforts, though the chancellor tempered expectations regarding immediate progress.
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A Russian spy ship, the Yantar, has been operating near UK waters, entering the UK’s exclusive economic zone multiple times in recent weeks. During these incursions, the vessel directed lasers at British military pilots, a significant escalation according to UK officials. The UK government, considering this “deeply dangerous,” is monitoring the ship and has military options prepared. The defense secretary has also stated this is part of a pattern of Russian incursions into NATO territory, and the government is increasing defense spending in response. The Russian embassy has responded by accusing the British government of Russophobia.
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John Q. Hosedrinker