Ukraine observed a day of mourning on Friday after a Russian missile strike on Kyiv killed at least 18 people and wounded dozens more. The attack, which hit a residential area in the capital, has renewed calls from Ukrainian officials for faster deliveries of promised Western air defence systems. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the strike as a deliberate act of terror and urged allies to accelerate shipments of systems such as the Patriot and IRIS-T.
The assault comes just days after Ukraine urged faster air defence deliveries following a series of Russian drone and missile attacks. Moscow has increasingly deployed jet-powered drones to overwhelm Ukrainian air defences, a tactic that has proved effective in recent weeks. The EU is reportedly preparing new sanctions targeting Russian drone manufacturers in response to the escalating strikes.
NATO Summit in Ankara: Ukraine, Defence Spending, and Iran Tensions
Next week, NATO foreign ministers will gather in Ankara for a summit that is expected to focus on three main issues: continued military and financial support for Ukraine, the alliance's defence spending targets, and the fallout from US strikes on Iranian positions in Syria. The meeting comes at a delicate moment for the alliance, with some member states questioning the sustainability of long-term aid to Kyiv.
Former US President Donald Trump has recently described American support for NATO as “ridiculous,” a comment that has fuelled debate about the alliance's future burden-sharing. European allies are under pressure to increase their own defence budgets, with several countries still falling short of the 2% of GDP target. The Ankara summit will also address the implications of the US strikes on Iran, which have raised fears of a broader regional conflict.
Shona Murray, reporting from NATO headquarters, noted that the summit will be an opportunity for allies to reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine while also managing internal divisions. “The challenge for NATO is to maintain unity on Ukraine while also addressing the growing security concerns in the Middle East,” she said.
Ireland Considers Halting Alumina Exports to Russia
In Cork, the Irish government is facing growing pressure to end exports of alumina to Russia. The material, a key component in aluminium production, is believed to be supporting Moscow's war effort. Ireland is one of the EU's largest exporters of alumina, and the issue has gained urgency as the country prepares to take on the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU next year.
Jorge Liboreiro reports that the Irish government is weighing the economic impact of a ban against the moral and strategic imperative to cut off resources that could fuel Russia's military. The EU has already imposed multiple rounds of sanctions on Russia, but alumina has so far escaped restrictions. A decision is expected in the coming weeks.
EU Investigates Patriots Political Group for Misuse of Funds
The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) has launched an investigation into the Patriots political group, a far-right alliance in the European Parliament, over allegations of misuse of EU funds. The probe focuses on whether the group improperly used money allocated for political activities to finance personal or party-related expenses. Jakub Janas explains that the investigation is part of a broader effort by the EPPO to crack down on fraud and corruption involving EU funds. The Patriots group, which includes members from several member states, has denied any wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, former Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, now Administrator of the UN Development Programme, spoke to Angela Skujins about the role of the United Nations in addressing global conflicts and supporting post-war recovery. De Croo emphasised the importance of multilateral institutions in coordinating humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts, particularly in Ukraine.
In other news, the FIFA World Cup continues with Spain, Portugal, and Switzerland securing their places in the round of 16. An all-Iberian clash between Spain and Portugal is scheduled for Monday, promising a high-stakes encounter for both teams.
