Russian invasion Negotiations

US approves first major arms package to Ukraine

The White House has given the green light for an arms package worth $825 million to Ukraine, reports AP. The package includes navigation systems and 3,350 long-range missiles, which are considered to be strategically important in the war against Russia. The US is responsible for financing it, along with NATO countries Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands.

The Trump administration has previously approved several Ukraine packages with equipment to maintain existing weapons, but this appears to be the first major arms package made public by the administration, writes CNN.

The announcement came after the deadliest attack on Kyiv in several weeks – at least 17 people were killed on Thursday night.

EU defense ministers meet to pressure Russia

Security guarantees in the event of a possible peace in Ukraine are the big issue when EU defense ministers meet in Copenhagen today, reports Ekot.

During recent summits, Article 5-like guarantees have been discussed, similar to NATO's common defense. However, it is unclear which countries are willing to contribute what and the hope is that this will be clarified through today's talks.

The US has ruled out sending troops to Ukraine, but could consider supporting peacekeeping forces in another way. According to Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Sweden can contribute with aerial reconnaissance and naval capacity.

Tomorrow, Saturday, it is the turn of the EU foreign ministers, who will discuss new sanctions in the Danish capital to put pressure on Russia.

Reports of dissatisfaction with Witkoff: "Ill-informed and uninformed"

The working methods of the US envoy to Ukraine, Steve Witkoff, are causing irritation among both American and European diplomats, writes Politico, which has spoken to several sources. Witkoff is accused of being a free-wheeling, refusing to listen to experts or familiarize himself with intelligence reports, and therefore comes to meetings unprepared and uninformed.

Several sources say that Witkoff does not understand the complexity of the Ukraine war, viewing it only as a dispute over territory.

“His lack of experience shines through. It is clear that he has the president’s ear, but it is unclear what was said or what was agreed upon,” says one source.

Witkoff’s defenders highlight how his work led to the historic meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska. But critics say the meeting was rushed and poorly prepared, and that it did not lead to any concrete progress.