Ukraine and Belgium sign security agreement
Ukraine and Belgium signed a bilateral security and long-term support agreement on Tuesday that includes the delivery of 30 F-16 fighter jets and Belgian military aid worth at least 977 million euros (1.06 billion).
The agreement was reached in Brussels during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Belgium.
The F-16 fighter jets will be delivered to Ukraine in 2028, with the first arriving this year. Zelensky said the two countries also committed to deepening cooperation in intelligence, cybersecurity and combating disinformation. explain In a post on social media platform X.
“The agreement guarantees Belgium’s timely provision of security assistance, modern armored vehicles, equipment to meet Ukraine’s air force and air defense needs, naval security, mine clearance, participation in artillery alliances and military training,” Zelensky said.
– April Roach
Netherlands pledges Patriot parts, proposes international joint effort to build systems for Ukraine
The Netherlands proposed to contribute core parts from existing stocks, cooperate with other countries to assemble the Patriot air defense system and send it to Ukraine. the Dutch government said in a statement on Tuesday.
“We are in talks with our partners to prepare the Patriot system, including the training of Ukrainian crews,” said Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren. “With our offer, as well as with the supply of several key parts “In consultation with munitions partner countries, we can provide Ukraine with at least one fully operational system within a short period of time.”
The Netherlands said it has identified countries that can provide additional parts and ammunition for the surface-to-air Patriot missile system, which is mainly used by the United States and its allies.
Ukraine currently operates a small number of Patriot systems and has been requesting further donations of such systems amid long-range bombing attacks on its infrastructure by invading Russian forces. U.S. pledges to provide Ukraine with more Patriot ammunition under $60 billion military aviation program Agreement reached earlier this spring.
— Ruksandra Jordash
According to Reuters, Zelensky will visit Belgium on Tuesday
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez (right) shake hands at the end of a press conference at the Moncloa Palace in Madrid, Spain, May 27, 2024
Pablo Brazquez Dominguez | Pablo Brazquez Dominguez Getty Images News | Getty Images
Volodymyr Zelensky will visit Belgium on Tuesday and sign a security deal with Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, according to Reuters.
The diplomatic visit follows a visit by the Ukrainian leader to Spain, which has pledged to provide Ukraine with military support worth 1 billion euros ($1.09 billion) this year According to the newly signed agreement.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said: “In this context, increased support for Ukraine is crucial, and your visit to Spain allows us to reaffirm our strong commitment to Ukraine in all areas.” explain at a press conference with Zelensky on Monday, according to a CNBC translation.
As part of the visit, the Ukrainian head of state also met with King Felipe VI of Spain.
— Ruksandra Jordash
Drone shot down in Balashikha, Moscow region
Russian air defense systems shot down a drone last night in the city of Balashikha, east of the Russian capital Moscow, according to the governor of the Moscow region.
Andrey Vorobyov said in an article on Google Translate that the incident occurred at 9 pm local time in the Kuchno district and caused debris to fall on private houses. telegram post.
“The people in the house managed to evacuate and no one was injured,” he added, noting that “explosive sounds” could be heard by residents of Balashiha.
CNBC could not independently confirm the attack.
— Ruksandra Jordash
Russian officials say attack on Russian-controlled Luhansk
A fire broke out in the Russian-occupied city of Luhansk in eastern Ukraine last night after a cluster munition attack, according to a Russian official.
“Ukrainian nationalists launched another rocket attack on Luhansk with cluster munitions,” Russia’s appointed governor Leonid Pasechnik said in an email translated by Google. “This attack started a fire. . telegram post.
He added: “Staff from the Ministry of Emergency Situations, law enforcement agencies and doctors are on the scene. Information about damage and casualties is being clarified.”
Senior Russian diplomat Rodion Miroshnik said a second shelling of Luhansk may have been carried out.
“The possibility of a second attack on places where rescuers are working to neutralize the consequences of recent missile attacks cannot be ruled out,” He pointed out In a Telegram update from Google Translate, no further details were provided.
Luhansk was annexed by Russia in September 2022, along with Ukraine’s Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions.
CNBC could not confirm local developments.
— Ruksandra Jordash
‘Drone wall’ against Russia: Six NATO countries announce border defense plan
On May 2, 2024, Lviv, Ukraine, the Ukrainian Armed Forces owned a drone.
Global Image Ukraine | Global Image Ukraine | Getty Images
Lithuania’s interior minister announced on Friday that six NATO countries bordering Russia are joining forces to build a “drone wall” to protect their borders.
Lithuanian Interior Minister Agni Bilotet told local news agency BNS: “This is a completely new thing, a drone wall stretching from Norway to Poland. The goal is to use drones and other technologies to protect our border.
“It’s not just physical infrastructure, surveillance systems, but also drones and other technologies that will allow us to guard against provocations from unfriendly countries and prevent smuggling,” she said.
Other countries participating include Lithuania’s Baltic neighbors Latvia and Estonia, as well as Poland, Finland and Norway. No details were provided on funding, timelines and technical aspects of the project.
— Natasha Turak
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