Overview
- Leaders at Monday’s European Political Community summit in Yerevan moved to speed up the EU’s €90 billion package for Ukraine, with the first tranche directed to joint drone production and electronic‑warfare systems.
- The UK said it will start negotiations to join the EU loan initiative for Ukraine, a step Downing Street framed as deeper defence cooperation that could let British firms bid for related contracts, with more Russia sanctions due this week.
- Zelensky met Ursula von der Leyen to map the first disbursement and discussed a potential EU ‘Drone Deal,’ while he said Ukraine aims to receive initial funds by early summer to scale domestic drone output.
- In a ‘Washington format’ huddle, Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer, Giorgia Meloni, Donald Tusk, Petteri Orpo, Jonas Gahr Støre, Mark Carney, António Costa, Ursula von der Leyen and NATO chief Mark Rutte coordinated air‑defence, diplomacy and energy protection, with Rutte confirming continued anti‑ballistic missile deliveries.
- Canada confirmed a US$200 million contribution to the PURL channel that buys American weapons for Ukraine, as Carney’s defence‑ and trade‑focused stance drew criticism from some analysts who say Ottawa has downshifted its democracy work in the Caucasus.