European Council extends Russian sanctions until summer 2027

The European Council has extended economic sanctions against Russia until summer 2027. This development occurs as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated Kyiv's intention to conduct "preemptive attacks" on Russian territory, following reports of explosions in the capital. The Kremlin, through spokesperson Dmitri Peskov, attributes Ukrainian strikes to deteriorating front-line conditions, claiming Russian forces are advancing "along the entire front" and predicting "irreversible" outcomes for Kyiv. Meanwhile, a first installment of a €90 billion European loan has been disbursed to Ukraine. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for "mutual respect" and "understanding of history" between Poles and Ukrainians at a reconstruction conference. Russian forces continue to exert pressure on rear-front areas such as Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, where defensive nets are deployed against drones.

Sources: Le Monde — International