Russia-Ukraine War Latest News: As tensions surrounding the Russia-Ukraine war continue to rise, Germany has urged European nations to remain calm following a drone strike on a train near the Ukraine-Poland border. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius described the incident as a calculated escalation, warning that Russia’s actions are dangerous while stressing the importance of avoiding provocation. At the same time, he said Europe must make clear that it is prepared to defend itself and will not retreat if the situation worsens.
Russia-Ukraine War Latest News: Europe must remain ‘level-headed’ over train strikes, German defence minister warns
Germany’s defence minister has warned the drone strike on a train near the Ukraine-Poland border is a calculated escalation.
“What Vladimir Putin is doing is dangerous. He knows that, and that is why he is doing it,” Boris Pistorius told reporters.
But he added: “It is all the more important that we remain level-headed, that we do not allow ourselves to be provoked, but that at the same time we leave no doubt that we are capable of defending ourselves and will not back down if the situation escalates.”
Russia-Ukraine War Latest News: EU delays Russian sanctions after bloc fails to agree on renewal
European Union envoys have delayed the expiry of the bloc’s sanctions listings by seven days until 22 September.
That’s according to a spokesperson for the EU’s Irish presidency after the bloc failed to agree on a six-month renewal.
The designations, targeting nearly 3,000 companies and individuals with asset freezes and travel bans, were due to expire tomorrow.
EU sanctions require unanimous approval from all 27 member states and must be renewed every six months.
Russia-Ukraine War Latest News: Two killed in strike on Ukrainian steel plant, company says
A ballistic missile attack on a steel plant killed two people at the weekend.
That’s according to steelmaker ArcelorMittal MT.LU, which says the strike on Saturday in Kryvyi Rih killed two contractors and injured two employees.
The strike damaged the plant’s ironmaking area and suspended primary steel production while the company assesses repairs, ArcelorMittal said, adding it was too early to estimate when operations could resume.
Russia-Ukraine War Latest News: Canada ‘in talks’ to back EU loan for Ukraine
Canada is “in talks to back” the EU’s loan for Ukraine, the Financial Times has reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
The EU had earlier this year decided to loan €90bn (£77bn) to Ukraine, which is supposed to fund two-thirds of Ukraine’s budget through the end of next year.
Canada is considering making a contribution to this, and both sides hope to agree before a joint summit in Montreal at the end of next month.
Russia-Ukraine War Latest News: Zelenskyy asks MPs to dismiss prosecutor general over latest high-profile corruption case
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged Ukrainian MPs to swiftly support the removal of Ukraine’s prosecutor general after a corruption investigation reached his office.
A subordinate had been accused of running a fraud ring, prompting Ruslan Kravchenko’s resignation last week, although he wasn’t charged himself.
Under Ukrainian law, the parliament needs to confirm Kravchenko’s resignation via a vote, which is expected to be held tomorrow.
However, Kravchenko hit back today, saying he approved charges against the head of Ukraine’s anti-corruption bureau, NABU, one of the bodies investigating his office.
He said he suspected NABU’s director of “falsifying documents… to obtain especially large illicit benefit.”
NABU and SAPO, another Ukrainian agency, said this was a “systematic attack on independent anti-corruption bodies.”
Russia-Ukraine War Latest News: German chancellor: Next weeks will be ‘decisive moment’ for defending Europe’s freedom
The German chancellor has stressed the upcoming weeks will be crucial in the confrontation between Ukraine, the EU and Russia.
“Most likely we are seeing the most decisive moment, perhaps weeks or months, ahead of us in defending the freedom and peace of our continent,” Friedrich Merz told reporters at an Arctic security summit in Finland.
The chancellor, who is facing resistance at home after a heavy regional election defeat, vowed to “do everything I can” to support Ukraine and “convince people” that it’s in everyone’s interest.
He noted there were growing reservations everywhere across the EU, referring also to the regional election in eastern Germany, which saw a landslide victory for the Russia-friendly Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
He didn’t directly address the Russian drone attack near a train that is thought to have carried his top foreign policy adviser.
Russia-Ukraine War Latest News: Downing Street calls Russian attack ‘reckless and dangerous’
The Russian strike on the Ukrainian railway yesterday was “reckless and dangerous”, a Downing Street spokesperson has said.
Attacks of this nature “underline the wider threat” Russia poses, the spokesperson told reporters.
They were a “stark reminder” of what Ukraine faces every day, they added.
