European Union leaders agreed on Thursday to extend sanctions against Russia over its ongoing war in Ukraine for a further 12 months, marking the first time the restrictive measures have been renewed on an annual basis rather than the previous six-month cycle.
A spokesperson for the chair of the summit in Brussels confirmed the decision, which maintains pressure on key sectors of the Russian economy as the war approaches its fourth year.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told EU leaders that Europe’s future security depends on Ukraine’s defence against Russia, renewing his call for a fast-track path to European Union membership.
“Every democratic nation in Europe deserved to be in the EU,” Zelenskyy said, arguing that Ukraine had “paid more than any other country” for its right to independence and European integration.
He acknowledged divisions within the bloc, including opposition from Hungary, which has pushed to soften language on accelerated accession in EU summit conclusions.
Despite disagreements, EU ambassadors last week approved the start of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, beginning with the first of six policy clusters aimed at aligning legislation with EU standards.
A European Council statement welcomed the formal opening of talks and signalled readiness to advance further chapters on a merit-based basis, though without committing to accelerated timelines.
Hungarian officials said references to fast-tracking Ukraine’s membership were removed from the final summit text.
Zelenskyy used the summit to highlight ongoing Russian strikes and Ukraine’s long-range operations, including reported drone attacks on targets deep inside Russian territory, such as an oil refinery near Moscow.
He said Ukraine aims to end the war within the year through diplomacy and sustained international pressure on Russia, while warning of intensified missile and drone attacks.
The Kremlin, meanwhile, reiterated its position that it would continue “massive coordinated strikes” in response to Ukrainian attacks, underscoring the continued escalation on both sides.
The Ukrainian president also urged EU leaders to prioritise military and financial support, including air defence systems, energy supplies, and at least 300 additional missiles if the war extends into winter.
He called for the release of €6 billion from the European Peace Facility and encouraged stronger financial mechanisms to ensure sustained support for Kyiv’s defence effort.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine remains open to negotiations with Russia but stressed that Europe must maintain sanctions pressure and close loopholes to secure a stronger position at the negotiating table.
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Ukraine and Germany have signed an agreement to strengthen anti-ballistic capabilities, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday, as Kyiv continues to push for deeper Western support in countering Russian missile attacks.
A Ukrainian drone strike has hit an oil refinery in south-east Moscow for the second time in three days, triggering a major fire, disrupting flights across the Russian capital and highlighting growing vulnerabilities in the country's energy infrastructure.
Russia and Ukraine exchanged new attacks overnight on Thursday. Missiles struck Kyiv while Ukrainian drones hit a major oil refinery in Moscow, just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders on efforts to end the war.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 18 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Donald Trump has said the U.S. will resume bombing Iran if Tehran doesn't "behave," at the sidelines of the G7 summit in France. Earlier, the U.S. President criticised Israel for its tactics against Hezbollah, saying it was unnecessary to bomb entire apartment buildings to tackle militants.
U.S. President Donald Trump sought a deal with Iran "out of deperation," Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has said, in a statment on social media. Khamenei added that he himself "held a different view," to Trump, but allowed the agreement after receiving assurances from Iran's President.
Britain has announced an additional £8 million ($11 million) to help Pakistan combat illegal migration, human trafficking and organised crime, while praising Islamabad's role in diplomacy that helped secure the recent U.S.-Iran agreement.
Lionel Messi matched the all-time World Cup scoring record as Argentina began their title defence with a 3-0 win over Algeria. Austria, France and Norway also secured opening victories in Group J and Group I matches on Tuesday.
Caleb Yirenkyi’s stoppage-time goal secured a 1-0 win for Ghana over Panama as World Cup action delivered a mix of late drama and key results. Colombia and England also began their campaigns with victories, while DR Congo held Portugal in a historic 1-1 draw and Austria beat Jordan 3-1.
Labour mayor Andy Burnham cleared a path to ousting British Prime Minister Keir Starmer after winning a parliamentary seat in northern England on Friday in what could be most consequential local election in more than six decades.
A New Mexico legislative commission investigating the handling of cases linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has subpoenaed multiple U.S. Attorney’s offices. The subpoena is a part of an inquiry into whether prosecutors failed to pursue charges despite evidence of alleged abuse.
Ukraine and Germany have signed an agreement to strengthen anti-ballistic capabilities, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday, as Kyiv continues to push for deeper Western support in countering Russian missile attacks.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced $107 million in emergency funding to help contain an expanding outbreak of Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, warning it could become one of the worst on record.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has said he is severing “all contact” with European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, following remarks attributed to her that reportedly compared Israel’s policies toward Palestinians to apartheid-era South Africa.
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