Rethinking EU restrictive measures     – POLITICO

Are there unintended consequences to European Union sanctions against Russia? While rocked initially by the restrictions, Russia’s economy has shown remarkable resilience. Europe, on the other hand, is facing a year of glacial growth. There are also growing concerns around the legitimacy of some of the embargoes being issued by Brussels, the adverse impact on … Read more

Italy can do without Russian gas, says energy minister – POLITICO

This G7 will need to look for innovative models to accelerate investments, including private-public partnerships, Pichetto Fratin said. “We certainly need to revise the financial system, to find mechanisms that overcome the current voluntary system,” he said.   While Italy, which currently holds the rotating G7 presidency, is in a leadership position at this weekend’s … Read more

Ukraine backers blast ‘double standard’ after allies rush to Israel’s defense – POLITICO

“I am sure that Ukraine will raise an argument that if one non-NATO country has been provided with air defense when attacked by a hostile adversary, why should Ukraine be treated differently? Given the dire and urgent situation that Ukraine now faces, that argument is rather convincing,” he added. Asked why Britain couldn’t offer the same … Read more

G7 leaders to meet over Iran attack on Israel – POLITICO

U.S. President Joe Biden called it ” an unprecedented air attack against military facilities in Israel.” He added that G7 leaders will “coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack.” U.S. officials “will stay in close touch with Israel’s leaders,” he added.  Iran launched more than 300 missiles and drones against Israel, but 99 percent of them … Read more

Macron’s explosive home front in the Gaza war

PARIS  — In the days after Hamas struck Israel, French President Emmanuel Macron made a national address vowing his “unreserved solidarity” with Israel.  A month later, he swerved to redress the balance, organizing a conference to support Gaza, joining calls for a cease-fire. In the days and months following Israel’s ground operation and airstrikes, Macron … Read more

Ukraine running low on defensive missiles, Zelenskyy warns – POLITICO

“If they keep hitting [Ukraine] every day the way they have for the last month, we might run out of missiles, and the partners know it,” he said. Zelenskyy said the situation will be “significantly improved” with the arrival of F-16 fighter jets, which are due to be delivered soon. “However, their quantity will be … Read more

Ukraine embraces far-right Russian ‘bad guy’ to take the battle to Putin – POLITICO

From football fields to the battlefield The 40-year-old Kapustin was born in Moscow. He moved with his parents at the age of 17 to Cologne, Germany, where he quickly established a fearsome reputation as a street-brawling white-power skinhead always up for a punch-up with everyone, especially Antifa activists. He tells POLITICO he was unhappy with … Read more

Zelenskyy fires senior aide in continuing reshuffle – POLITICO

Last month, Zelenskyy removed Valerii Zaluzhnyi as head of the armed forces. He was appointed Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Kingdom earlier this month. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s air force said on Saturday that Russia launched 12 Shahed drones overnight, nine of which were shot down, and fired four missiles into eastern Ukraine. Russia has unleashed a barrage of … Read more

Baltimore bridge crash ship involved in Belgian port collision years earlier, reports say – POLITICO

The container ship that crashed into a Baltimore bridge on Tuesday, causing it to collapse, was previously involved in a collision at a Belgian port in 2016. According to European maritime data service Equasis and other media reports, the Dali struck a stone quay at Antwerp’s port as it was unmooring and leaving for the … Read more

Moscow targets Kyiv, western Ukraine with massive missile barrage; Russian ships hit in Crimea – POLITICO

“For the third pre-dawn morning this week, all of Ukraine is under an air alert and has been advised to seek shelter,” U.S. Ambassador Bridget Brink wrote on X early Sunday. “Russia continues to indiscriminately launch drones and missiles with no regard for millions of civilians, violating international law.” An air alert in the capital … Read more