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EU Focus on Security in Gdansk. Rutte Urges War Readiness
3 February 2025
As the French seemed posed to choose Macron for a second term, Russia’s repositioning continues with eyes on Kharkiv. Meanwhile, Hungary argues with the EU on how to pay for Russian gas and Slovenia prepares for a close election.
Russian attack expected in the East of Ukraine.
EU/regional:
- With the vote counted in France at 97 per cent, it is with around 27.6 per cent that Emmanuel Macron has won the first round of the elections Marine Le Pen with 23.4 per cent and a surprisingly close third place by Jean-Luc Melenchon with 21.95 per cent. It is very likely that Macron will win the second round as Melenchon said ‘Not a single vote for Le Pen’ making it highly unlikely that she will get above 50 per cent in the second round. Read Marcin Zaborowski’s text on the French perspective on CEE here.
- Russia has made a ‘massive strategic blunder’ as Finland and Sweden look poised to join NATO as early as the summer, The Times reported, citing officials.
- Ursula von der Leyen and Josep Borrell went to Kyiv on 9 April to show the EU’s ‘unwavering support.’ Along with them went the Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger to meet President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- On 11 April there will be a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council where they will discuss the latest developments concerning the Russian aggression against Ukraine. They will also hold informal meetings with the Norwegian Foreign Minister, Anniken Huitfeldt, and the Icelandic Foreign Minister, Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörd Gylfadóttir
- On 14 April there will be an informal meeting of the Eurogroup.
- UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson met Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on 9 April, they also took a walk on Kyiv’s central streets. The visit was not announced. Boris Johnson later wrote that Britain is setting out a new package of financial and military aid. He later said it includes, among other things, 120 armoured vehicles and anti-ship missile systems.
- Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer visited Kyiv and Bucha near Kyiv on April 9. He visits Moscow next as the first EU official to make a visit since the war.
Russia’s Eyes on Kharkiv
Ukraine:
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