Jun 25, 2026, 10:00 AM UTC

The European Union has transferred the initial €3.2 billion installment of a €90 billion loan to Ukraine, as announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at a recovery conference in Gdansk. She also indicated future funding for drone production. Separately, Denmark is supplying Ukraine with an additional 15,000 long-range artillery shells, some of which have already arrived, responding to Kyiv's request for prioritized long-range armaments. Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukrainian forces struck an oil depot in Russia's Krasnodar region and two oil refineries in Bashkortostan, approximately 1,500 km from the front. Concurrently, global Brent crude oil prices have fallen below levels seen before the conflict with Iran, with at least 20 million barrels unloaded from the Strait of Hormuz within 24 hours.

Sources: Громадське, Радіо Свобода, Українська правда

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated Kyiv's intent to "preemptively attack installations" within Russian territory. This declaration comes as the Kremlin, through spokesperson Dmitri Peskov, maintains that Ukraine's strikes on Russia are a consequence of its worsening front-line position, asserting that Russian forces are advancing "along the entire front" and predicting "irreversible" outcomes for Kyiv. Conversely, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz affirmed that Kyiv "remains strong, the support of Europe does not weaken." In a separate development, a first installment of a €90 billion European loan has been disbursed to Ukraine. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also urged "mutual respect" and "understanding of history" between Poles and Ukrainians at a reconstruction conference. Ukraine has advised vigilance regarding "mobilization exercises" in Belarus's Grodno region, while Russian forces continue to pressure rear-front areas like Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.

Sources: Le Monde — International

The European Union's 27 member states formally approved a trade agreement with the United States on June 25, clearing the way for its implementation. This decision ensures the pact can take effect before a July 4 deadline previously set by Donald Trump. The European Parliament had already endorsed the agreement last week, completing another crucial step in the approval process. Negotiated last year, the accord aims to facilitate trade and strengthen economic relations between the two major economic blocs, avoiding potential trade tensions.

Sources: Le Monde

Despite perceptions of waning United States international influence, attributed to former President Donald Trump's foreign policy challenges concerning Iran, Ukraine, and allied relations, ideas associated with "Trumpism" are reportedly gaining traction in Latin America. This trend is evidenced by recent electoral outcomes in the region. For instance, the anticipated victory of an authoritarian and conservative candidate on June 24th is cited as an example of these ideas resonating with voters. This suggests a regional embrace of certain political ideologies, even as broader US global standing faces scrutiny. Sources: Le Monde.