Importance Score: 75 / 100 🔴
Russia shows no will for peace, Ukraine’s Umerov says
Ukrainian defence minister Rustem Umerov says he informed other ministers that “Russia is ramping up its production … and does not show any evidence [it is] willing to have peace.”
He thanks allied countries for their continuing help, stressing the particularly urgent need for more air defence systems.
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Key events
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EU not part of planning for Coalition of Willing, UK defence secretary says
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Russia shows no will for peace, Ukraine’s Umerov says
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Over €21bn in new military aid to Ukraine committed today, UK defence secretary says
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Peace in Ukraine ‘out of reach in immediate future,’ Germany’s Pistorius says
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Russia ‘still not interested in peace,’ German defence minister says
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Press conference after ministerial meeting on Ukraine under way
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‘Difficult to assess’ US tariffs’s impact, EU wants a ‘mutually acceptable outcome’, EU economy commissioner says
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US envoy Witkoff met with Russia’s international envoy Dmitriev
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EU trade commissioner Šefčovič to go to Washington on Sunday
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Ukraine’s Umerov thanks Germany, UK for further military aid packages
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Head of US base in Greenland fired after Vance visit
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US envoy Witkoff arrives in Russia, Russian media say
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China raises tariffs on US goods after Xi’s meeting with Sanchez
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No clarity on what is needed for reassurance force for Ukraine, EU’s Kallas says
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Estonian defence minister raises concerns about US-Russia deal ahead of 9 May, calls for increased aid for Ukraine
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Germany’s Pistorius suggests new military aid packages for Ukraine
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US envoy Witkoff travelling to Russia to meet Putin – media reports
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Morning opening: Focus on Ukraine
Umerov gets asked about Witkoff’s trip to Russia, but sidesteps the question, as he says he only just heard about it, and he hopes to hear from US counterparts on this later.
And that concludes the press conference.
Pistorius gets also asked if Germany could provide more Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine, but he says that is not an option at that moment as it is waiting on deliveries of these systems itself.
Asked about it, Germany’s Pistorius plays down the significance of US defence secretary Pete Hegseth’s participation via a video call, and not in person.
He says “it is a matter of schedules,” as Hegseth only returned to the US from other grips, and said that some other ministers were not physically here for the same reason.
“The most important fact was that he took part,” he said.
He says:
“And in the near future, in the weeks to come, we will see what’s going to happen with the US participation, with the US support.
I am not able to … look in the crystal ball. We wait and see. …
We take on more responsibility as Europeans and Nato as Europeans, together with UK.”
Ukraine’s Umerov supports him speaking along the same lines.
EU not part of planning for Coalition of Willing, UK defence secretary says
UK defence secretary John Healey strongly pushed back on EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas’s apparent criticism that there was a lack of clarity on the Coalition of the Willing’s plans for the reassurance force in Ukraine (9:39).
Asked about it, he says:
Our planning is indeed for the Coalition of the Willing, [it is] real, substantial, well advanced. The European Union is not part of that planning.
Russia shows no will for peace, Ukraine’s Umerov says
Ukrainian defence minister Rustem Umerov says he informed other ministers that “Russia is ramping up its production … and does not show any evidence [it is] willing to have peace.”
He thanks allied countries for their continuing help, stressing the particularly urgent need for more air defence systems.
Over €21bn in new military aid to Ukraine committed today, UK defence secretary says
UK defence secretary John Healey says today’s discussions led to over €21bn in fresh military aid commitments from allied countries, “a record boost in military funding for Ukraine.”
He adds the UK also continues its support, with the total of £4.5bn to be spent on military support for Ukraine this year.
Healey joins Pistorius in calling out Putin’s continuing aggression:
Today is one month to the day in which Russia rejected president Trump’s peace settlement.
Putin said he wanted peace, but he rejected a full ceasefire.
Putin said he wanted peace, but he continues to drag his feet and delay negotiations.
Putin said he wanted peace, but his forces continue to fire on Ukraine, military and civilian targets alike.
Peace in Ukraine ‘out of reach in immediate future,’ Germany’s Pistorius says
Speaking about the current situation, German defence ministers Pistorius – who is expected to retain his job in the next coalition government – says that:
“Given Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, we must concede peace in Ukraine appears to be out of reach in the immediate future.”
He adds:
“We will ensure that Ukraine continues to benefit from our joint military support. Russia needs to understand that Ukraine is able to go on fighting, and we will support it.”
Russia ‘still not interested in peace,’ German defence minister says
Germany’s Pistorius condemns Russia for “continuing its attacks against Ukraine,” as he says Moscow “is still not yet interested in peace.”
“Ukraine needs a strong military, and only then can the negotiation process lead to a just and lasting peace,” he says.
Press conference after ministerial meeting on Ukraine under way
German, British and Ukrainian defence ministers are giving a press conference after today’s meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group now.
I will bring you they key lines here.
‘Difficult to assess’ US tariffs’s impact, EU wants a ‘mutually acceptable outcome’, EU economy commissioner says
Separately, speaking at a press conference in Warsaw, EU economy commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis spoke about the US tariffs, saying that:
The nature of these rapidly moving developments make it difficult to assess their impact on the EU’s economic outlook.
But what is clear and what also ministers in today’s meeting agreed on is that the impact of the tariffs, it will be the US itself that will be first and most hit by the tariffs.
He said that early model simulations indicated the US GDP would be reduced by 0.8 to 1.4% until 2027, with the EU’s growth hit much lower, at 0.2%.
“These model simulations do not account for additional loss of investor and business confidence in the US economy, which could further the negative GDP impact,” he added.
He said:
“So let me make it clear, Europe did not start this confrontation, and Europe does not want this confrontation.
Tariffs go against the political and economic logic of deep and longstanding transatlantic trading partnership, … so from commission side, will continue to closely monitor financial developments in a days and weeks ahead.
We’re ready to negotiate a mutually acceptable outcome while defending our economic interests so there is no need to continue to hurt the US own and our economy.”
US envoy Witkoff met with Russia’s international envoy Dmitriev
We’re getting an update on US envoy Steve Witkoff’s visit to Moscow, with TASS news agency reporting he met with Vladimir Putin’s international cooperation envoy Kirill Dmitriev.
I will bring you more on their conversation if and when we have it.
EU trade commissioner Šefčovič to go to Washington on Sunday
EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič will go to Washington on Sunday, a commission spokesperson told the Irish broadcaster RTÉ.
Olof Gill told RTÉ radio:
The trade commissioner is gong to Washington to try and sign deals. That is what we are focused on.