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Europe & World
>>> President Trump reportedly convinced Hungary’s Viktor Orbán to lift his veto on Ukraine’s EU accession path, a shift that, if confirmed, could unlock the next phase of Kyiv’s membership talks.
>>> Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said an Article-5-style security guarantee for Ukraine is the central mechanism under discussion among allies, positioning Rome as an architect of the framework.
>>> Sweden became the first EU member to disburse funds to Ukraine under the Ukraine Facility, transferring €66.4 million to support reforms and resilience.
>>> Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev publicly termed Russia’s “special military operation” an invasion and reiterated support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, marking a notable signal from the South Caucasus.
>>> The EU weighed secondary sanctions on entities aiding Russia’s evasion network, aiming to tighten enforcement without fueling sanctions fatigue among member states.
>>> Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that any forced Ukrainian capitulation would simply give the Kremlin time to prepare a larger future war, reaffirming Berlin’s stance against coercive “peace.”
>>> Reports indicated EU-Moldova accession talks could start on September 1, while parallel efforts continue to clear political obstacles blocking Ukraine’s track.
>>> Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva suggested the war “will end soon,” drawing diplomatic pushback that durable peace hinges on Russia halting strikes and leaving occupied territory.
>>> NATO officials explored unconventional deterrence steps in Europe to blunt any rapid Russian thrust, complementing ongoing force posture adjustments and industrial ramp-ups.