❌ Ukraine has rejected Putin's suggestion that former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder could become a mediator in EU-Russia talks to reach a peace agreement on Ukraine.

🇺🇦 This was stated in Brussels by Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha.

🇲🇱 At least 50 killed in jihadist raids on two villages in central Mali's Mopti region

Al-Qaeda-linked group JNIM attacked the villages of Korikori and Gomossogou in Mopti region on Wednesday night, killing at least 50 people according to diplomatic and aid sources cited by Reuters, while AFP sources put the toll at a minimum of 30. The Malian army said it conducted a targeted operation in the area, neutralising around 10 fighters and destroying their logistical base. WAMAPS, a West African journalist network covering Sahel security, said the provisional death toll exceeded 50 villagers, with properties looted and set on fire. A security source told AFP the attacks were carried out in retaliation for acts attributed to the Dan Na Ambassagou self-defence militia.

The raids are the deadliest since a coordinated nationwide offensive last month by JNIM and the separatist Azawad Liberation Front, during which Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in an apparent suicide truck bombing near Bamako. Malian army commander Djibrilla Maiga said on Wednesday that fighters were attempting to regroup following the April attacks.

#Mali

🔸 Source

@africaintel

🇳🇱 The Dutch government is preparing emergency/fast-tracked legislation to strengthen actions against Russia’s shadow fleet in the Dutch part of the North Sea, - De Telegraaf

Measures include systematic inspections of vessels under false flags, escorting them to anchorages, and seizure/confiscation in extreme cases for ships carrying sanctioned Russian oil.

This builds on earlier government announcements from January 2026 about working on legal changes to enable such actions in the Dutch Exclusive Economic Zone.

🇺🇦🙏 The Coordination Headquarters stated that negotiations on the exchange with Russia are currently ongoing, and the lists of 1,000 people were formed based on the principle of the period of captivity.

🇪🇺 EU to discuss potential talks with Russia at a Cyprus summit, — Kaja Kallas said.

“We need to discuss among ourselves what we want to talk about with them [the Russians]. That is why we have an upcoming informal meeting of EU foreign ministers, where we will consider the proposals I have put forward to address the issues we face,” the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy stated.

Kaja Kallas also emphasized that Europe “needs concessions from the Russian side.”

“There are Russian troops, for example, in Moldova. Their withdrawal could be one of the conditions for ensuring stability and security in the region,” she added.

🇨🇳❗️The Central Bank of Russia has sent a recommendation to major insurance companies to reinsure the risks of liquefied gas supplies to China through Chinese structures, — FIS of Ukraine.

Moscow is handing over control over a key element of its own energy exports to Beijing.

❗️Russia is ready for a new mobilization: one option is to call up another 300,000 people, - RBC-Ukraine sources.

Moscow has not yet made a final decision.