Lula Plans New Supreme Court Nomination After Historic Senate Rejection 
Iran Proposal on Strait of Hormuz and U.S. Blockade Faces Rejection from Trump 
Trump Expands Cuba Sanctions Targeting Key Sectors and Foreign Entities 
Lebanon Political Divide Complicates Saudi Push for Israel Negotiations 
Russian Forces Advance Toward Kostiantynivka as Fighting Intensifies in Eastern Ukraine 
US Gaza Coordination Overhaul Raises Concerns Over Ceasefire and Aid Efforts 
U.S. Weapons Delays Raise Concerns Among European Allies Amid Iran Conflict 
Medicare to Cover GLP-1 Weight-Loss and Diabetes Drugs Starting July 1 
Trump Rejects Iran Proposal as Tensions Persist Amid Fragile Ceasefire 
U.S. Flags Vietnam as “Priority Foreign Country” Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te Visits Eswatini Amid China Pressure and Airspace Tensions 
Trump Criticizes German Chancellor Merz Over Iran War and Ukraine Policy 
U.S. Military Presence in Germany Strengthens NATO Readiness and Training 
Iran-U.S. Conflict Escalation Threatens Global Oil Supply and Economic Stability 
Trump Congratulates Ali al-Zaidi on Iraq Prime Minister Nomination, Signals Strong U.S.-Iraq Ties 
Trump White House Dinner Attack: Secret Service Denies Friendly Fire in Agent Shooting 
Cuba Condemns New U.S. Sanctions, Calls Measures “Collective Punishment” 
The finance ministers of the European Union supported a $5 billion loan to Ukraine to help maintain the operations of its schools, medical centers, and other necessary establishments. Long-term support was also discussed among the ministers at the recent meeting about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
During a meeting in Prague Friday last week, the bloc’s finance ministers agreed to provide Ukraine with a $5 billion loan to help keep its schools and hospitals and other essential operations running in the midst of the war. The ministers also discussed long-term support for Ukraine and its reconstruction as it defends itself against Russia in the war that is moving toward its seventh month.
The $5 billion loan, which would be backed by EU member countries, is part of an overall package by the bloc worth €9 billion.
The first €1 billion was fully sent back in August, as Czech finance minister Zbynek Stanjura said the upcoming meetings would determine how the remaining €3 billion would be divided into either loans or grants, adding that all members of the bloc fully support Ukraine.
This follows a report by the World Bank, Kyiv, and the European Commission published Friday, finding that Russia’s invasion cost over $97 billion in direct damages to Ukraine through June 1, and it would cost $350 million to rebuild Ukraine.
The European Commission’s vice president, Valdis Dombrovski, said the costs to help Ukraine’s reconstruction would be immense as the war continues for another month.
The EU’s executive branch is already looking into legal hurdles to using the seized Russian assets to help with Ukraine’s reconstruction costs as ministers discuss other options for long-term funding.
The United States Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also stressed the need for a broad group of partners to help Ukraine recover and rebuild following the war, focusing on near-term, high-impact projects.
During her meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Yellen also discussed the need for Ukraine’s partners to deliver on economic assistance for the country.
Yellen also expressed her support for Ukraine’s effort to develop a macroeconomic reform program backed by the International Monetary Fund. The US is already providing grants to Ukraine that will total $8.5 billion by the end of September, according to the Treasury.
