Key events
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UK set to join EU’s €90bn Ukraine Support Loan scheme to support Kyiv
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Leaders arrive for Ukraine talks in Paris
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EU condemns IOC’s decision to allow Russian to compete at Olympics
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Nato condemns Russia’s ‘malicious cyber activities’ and says its activity poses threat to security
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Zelenskyy arrives for meeting with Macron in Paris ahead of Coalition of Willing summit
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‘We can and will do more,’ European Commission president says on help for Ukraine
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Ukraine to present its anti-ballistic programme at Paris meeting today, Zelenskyy says
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‘Ready to fight to defend’ our values, Macron says, as he delivers speech to French armed forces
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‘Technological humiliation of the Russian empire continues,’ Ukrainian drone chief says, as Sea of Azov shipping is restricted
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Kremlin will ‘closely follow’ Paris meeting, blames Coalition of the Willing for continuing war
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Germany joins France in summoning Russian ambassador over alleged cyber, hybrid attacks
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UK sanctions 24 individuals, entities for Russia’s destructive hybrid operations; attributes last year’s attack on Poland’s energy grid to Russia
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EU sanctions nine people, four entities over Russian cyber espionage, sabotage
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Morning opening: Focus on Ukraine
UK set to join EU’s €90bn Ukraine Support Loan scheme to support Kyiv
Prime minister Keir Starmer signed Britain up to an EU defence loan for Ukraine on Monday, Reuters reported.
The agency added that it’s one of his last acts as the prime minister to try to improve London’s ties with the bloc after years of wrangling over Brexit.
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy offered a bit of detail on the meeting of the anti-ballistic missile coalition and his talks with France’s Macron.
In a post on X, he said:
“As always, @EmmanuelMacron and I are closely coordinating our positions. We had a productive meeting and discussed priorities ahead of the meetings of the Anti-Ballistic Coalition and the Coalition of the Willing, as well as our bilateral cooperation.
Relations between our countries have reached a truly strategic level, due in large part to President Macron’s personal efforts. Today, I thanked Emmanuel for his assistance and support throughout these years and awarded the Order of Freedom to the President, a true friend of Ukraine.
We spoke in detail about the situation on the front and Ukraine’s needs in protecting people from Russian attacks. It is important to strengthen Ukraine, reinforce our air defenses, and accelerate the development of Europe’s anti-ballistic capabilities. France has precisely the capabilities and advanced technologies needed to help. We will work on this together with our allies. Thank you, France. Thank you, Emmanuel!”
Earlier today, Ukraine and nine European countries have announced plans to form a coalition to protect Europe from ballistic missiles during their meeting before the main Coalition of the Willing summit.
It’s Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, and the UK.
Leaders arrive for Ukraine talks in Paris
Let’s bring you more pictures from the red carpet in Paris, as leaders arrive for the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, hosted by France’s Emmanuel Macron.
Kallas gets asked about the expected timing on the 21st round of sanctions, which were expected by Wednesday morning to have an impact on the oil price cap.
She says there is a meeting on Wednesday morning, and “the work is going on.”
“What is my wish is that this package is strong, because really the continuing attacks on civilians really targeting the most populated areas [on Ukraine].”
Pushed on the oil price cap, she says she cannot single out any element of the package; nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.
And that ends the press conference.
Kallas gets a bit of a hard ball from one of the journalists asking her why is the EU so reluctant to adopt tougher sanctions, including on fishing and visas for ex Russian soldiers. You used to blame Hungary’s Viktor Orbán for it, but it looks like he is not the only problem, he says.
She begins by joking that before taking this job, she had no idea that fishing is so political.
She says that the EU’s proposals are “as strong as possible,” and always get adjusted through political discussions with all countries, and that is to be expected.
She says that “maybe the political consensus is somewhere else, and we see also elections coming,” which makes leaders more wary of making tough decisions.
But she insists that the EU still need to do whatever it can to “increase the pressure” on Russia and get it to a negotiating table.”
“We have this opportunity window right now, considering that. that Ukraine is in a stronger position than they have been, and Russia is in a weaker position than they have been before, and we need to really take this short-term pain for a long-term gain.”
Kallas says she “regrets” there is no agreement on the 21st package of sanctions today, “although I must say that we are quite close.”
She says the focus is on figuring out what will have the biggest impact, but acknowledging the impact its having on other countries too.
“So today also we had these intense discussions, and the call was to really focus on this war, what we are trying to do with putting more pressure on Russia.”
Kallas also talks about Gaza, where “the peace process has stalled.”
She says the Palestine donor group today raised €900m, which includes the EU as the largest donor.
She adds that “all the 27 member states agree that Israeli settlements [in West Bank] are illegal under international law.”
She lists some available options of sanctions, with a suggestion of “taking action against trade with the settlements,” which is to be developed further.
Let’s see what comes up in the Q&A.
Kallas also briefly spoke about Iran, saying that Iran strikes on commercial shipping violate international law and the memorandum of understanding.
“Before the war, the Strait of Hormuz was open to shipping without tolls. After the end of the war, the Strait must be open to shipping without tolls. Ministers were clear that navigation must be unimpeded, and Iran must never have a nuclear weapon.”
She may have not seen the latest social media posts from Trump on this.
EU condemns IOC’s decision to allow Russian to compete at Olympics
EU’s foreign policy chief Kallas also strongly criticised the International Olympic Committee’s decision to allow Russian athletes back to international competitions.
She says the call is “blind to reality,” as it “coincides wth Russia killing a record number of Ukrainian civilians.”
“It looks like International Olympic Committee is rewarding such attacks,” she says.
Kallas says that the leaders “discussed the battlefield situation and strengthening Ukraine’s energy resilience,” as Russia is expected to strike Ukraine’s power grid again this coming winter.
She also says “air defence also remains a priority,” as she urged member states to make their stocks available to Kyiv.
Kallas also says “we are sanctioning Russia at unprecedented speed and scale,” as today’s measures and the upcoming 21st sanctions package will include 250 listings.
“This constitutes our biggest round of individual sanctions since Russia’s 2022 invasion,” she says.
She also mentions the sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s cybersecurity activity (10:38).
Jakub Krupa
Over in Brussels, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is briefing reporters after today’s foreign affairs council.
I will bring you all the key lines here.
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