Slovakia is ready to allocate around EUR 84 million in loans and grants to implement restoration and development projects for Ukrenergo’s infrastructure.
On May 26, the Netherlands will send its last—24th—F-16 fighter jet to Ukraine, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans announced.
“Russia claims it wants peace, yet last night it attacked Kyiv and other cities with 250 drones and 14 ballistic missiles. There are civilian casualties. We will work with our allies to increase pressure on Russia and expand EU sanctions,” said Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys called for a strong response to the massive overnight airstrike on Ukraine. “Over 250 Shahed drones, 14 ballistic missiles, and innocent lives lost. This wasn’t just an attack—it was a message of impunity,” the diplomat said.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned Russia’s latest massive attack on Ukraine. “Another night of terror for Ukrainian civilians, more injured, more homes destroyed. These are not the actions of a country seeking peace,” Lammy concluded.
“Another night where Russia shows its unwavering determination to wipe Ukraine off the map with swarms of drones and missiles, including ballistic ones. Putin will continue until the pressure becomes unbearable. It’s in our hands to stop him,” emphasized Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna.
“Last night’s attacks once again demonstrated Russia’s aim to cause further suffering and destroy Ukraine. It’s horrifying to see children among the innocent victims who were injured or killed. Today, my thoughts are with the families of the deceased,” said EU Foreign Affairs Chief Kaja Kallas.
“The Russians are relentlessly escalating pressure. Increasing terror against civilians. The attacks are growing more intense and frequent. They laugh at the world! They mock the U.S. and any diplomatic attempts to achieve peace. Peace? What peace? How will the world respond to Putin’s terror and his blatant provocations? To his mockery of any ceasefire negotiations? Putin clearly pursues his declared goal—to kill Ukrainians and force Ukraine to submit. Sadly, the only language he understands is the language of force,” stated EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová after the mass air assault by Russia on the night of May 25.
“367 drones and missiles. At least 12 dead. Dozens wounded. This is not the behavior of a country seeking peace—this is a deliberate escalation and a brutal attack on innocent people. Moldova stands with Ukraine. The world must respond with massive support for Ukraine,” wrote President Maia Sandu on X.
Ukraine plans to export its agricultural products via Sweden’s port infrastructure.
Fishermen from the Danish village of Thyborøn, along with their Swedish colleagues, have sent around 450 fishing nets to Ukraine, which are now being used to catch drones.
Russia
The Russian fifth-generation Su-57E fighter jet never appeared at the LIMA 2025 international exhibition in Malaysia, despite official statements by Russian officials claiming the aircraft would participate. Instead of a real combat aircraft, only a mock-up was displayed at the booth of Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation. It’s not the first time Moscow has tried to promote the Su-57 export version, but again without success. The main problems with the Su-57E are production delays, questionable quality, limited Russian industrial capacity under sanctions, and Russia’s damaged reputation on the international arms market.
The Chief of the Romanian Defence General Staff, General Gheorghiță Vlad, said that since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, Romania has faced “many dangers, created primarily by the Russian Federation.” “We are dealing with electromagnetic interference issues, such as GPS spoofing and signal relocation. We face these problems weekly,” Vlad noted.
In the first quarter of 2025, imports of foreign wine to Russia dropped by half.
Deputy Chair of the Duma Health Protection Committee, Tatyana Solomatina, stated that contraceptive pills for women should only be available by prescription and banned from over-the-counter sale in Russia.
Orthodox oligarch Malofeev has proposed eliminating pensions in Russia for citizens born after 1995.
According to a sociological survey, Lithuanians' attitudes toward Belarusian and Russian migrants have significantly worsened over the past two years: 23% of respondents said they would not want to live next to Belarusian citizens, and 42% of Lithuanians do not want Russians as neighbors.
Belarus’s Ministry of Health has increased prices for Belarusian-made medicines.
One of Belarus’s largest fish product manufacturers, OJSC “Belryba,” which operated on the Belarusian market for over 60 years, has gone bankrupt.
In Homel, three lawyers were arrested on criminal charges of gross public order violations and “extremism.” One of them is currently in a pre-trial detention center.
