Ukrainian air defense targetting and destroying a Russian Shahed drone attacking the Kyiv region this morning.

🇮🇹 Italy backs the EU’s goal to end Russian gas imports by 2027, says Energy Minister Pichetto Fratin. He added that Italy is now independent from Russian supplies and any new U.S. LNG deals are up to private buyers.

🇩🇪 German Chancellor opposes reopening Nord Stream pipelines, backing the EU’s proposed ban as part of a new sanctions package against Russia — FT reports.

Despite some U.S. firms expressing interest in restoration, Berlin stands firm: no return to Russian gas.

🇷🇺🇺🇸🇺🇦 European leaders are left asking: What will Trump do next?

Following the failed Ukraine-Russia talks in Istanbul—where Moscow demanded Ukraine concede Crimea and more—Trump urged Zelensky to continue negotiations, surprising allies who expected support for tougher sanctions.

Now, Europe is frustrated and uncertain, watching closely to see whether Trump will hold Moscow accountable or continue shifting course.

G7 leaders -in a published statement- pledge to keep Russian assets frozen until the war ends and Moscow pays for the damage.They reaffirm support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and recovery, and warn of further sanctions if Russia rejects a ceasefire.

🇵🇱PM Tusk: “There’s no better term than treason” for Nawrocki’s statement opposing Ukraine’s NATO membership. Tusk calls it one of the biggest scandals of the campaign, warning Poland must not echo Putin’s demands under any pretext.

🇩🇪 Germany will boost its tank brigade in Lithuania from 500 to 5,000 troops by 2027 to deter Russia — the first such foreign deployment since WWII, per Bloomberg.

Final rollout depends on Lithuania building the needed housing & infrastructure, estimated at €1B.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune warns Putin: No serious ceasefire proposal = new sanctions coming. Bipartisan support grows for a bill imposing harsh tariffs & sanctions if Russia refuses talks or attacks again.

🇭🇺 Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán opposes the EU’s plan to phase out Russian oil and gas imports. He warns that if the EU bans Russian energy purchases as Ukraine seeks, Hungary could face an additional annual cost of 800 billion forints ($2.2 billion).

Whose problem is that, Viktor?

According to Russian sources, Andrey Kondratyev, head of the major defense company "Kurganpribor," was attacked in the entrance of his own building in Kurgan. An unknown assailant struck him multiple times on the head with a hammer. Kondratyev is currently hospitalized, while the attacker has fled.

MIM-23 HAWK air defense systems in use by the Ukrainian Air Command 'West'.

Unconfirmed reports in Ukrainian media suggest a “1000-for-1000” prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia could begin today and last several days, with Turkey mediating. Both sides have reportedly prepared and shared lists of names for release.