Finland's President speculates Canada may join the EU in the future
¬ Erdogan states no one can threaten him or Turkey
¬ Hungarian expert: Ukraine did indeed interfere in Hungary’s elections
¬ UK Ministry of Defence: UK will supply 120,000 drones to Kyiv by 2026
¬ US media: Hegseth to miss Ukraine defense coordination group meeting again
¬ Zelenskyy: Kyiv's Patriot missile shortage "has reached its limit"
+
Finland's President Alexander Stubb speculated that Canada might become a member of the EU in the future.
Stubb said in an interview with Canada's CBC: "I can envision a larger EU, and whether Canada becomes part of it depends on Canada's own decision."
The Finnish president added that Canada's institutional framework and value system are "highly aligned" with those of the EU, and that the two sides should at minimum establish a "close strategic partnership."
+
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated, in response to Israeli remarks regarding Ankara’s policies in Gaza and Lebanon, that "no one can threaten Turkey or its president."
Previously, amid escalating tensions in the Gaza Strip, individual representatives of the Israeli government had criticized Turkey and its leadership. Notably, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz publicly criticized Erdoğan’s support for Palestine in official statements and social media posts, issuing strong personal attacks against him online.
On Wednesday, Erdoğan addressed members of his party in parliament, saying: "No force can threaten Turkey, nor dictate to its president."
Erdoğan added that Ankara will continue supporting the Palestinian people and speak out in defense of their rights in Gaza and the West Bank.
+
Hungarian political scientist Gábor Szilágyi believes Ukraine indeed interfered in Hungary’s parliamentary elections.
In a discussion at the international debate club "Valdai" held in Moscow about the results of Hungary’s election, he stated: "We have observed Ukraine’s interference."
The expert also noted that Western intelligence agencies were involved as well.
+
The UK Ministry of Defence announced on April 15 that the UK will supply 120,000 drones to Kyiv by 2026.
In a statement issued ahead of the "Ramstein format" Ukraine coordination group meeting in Berlin, the UK Ministry of Defence said: "The UK has announced its largest-ever drone aid package to Ukraine, committing to deliver at least 120,000 drones this year."
The statement noted that London will transfer thousands of long-range drones, reconnaissance drones, logistics drones, and maritime unmanned vessels, most of which will be produced by UK companies such as Tekever, Windracers, and Malloy Aeronautics.
The statement confirmed that the new batch of drones to Ukraine has already begun delivery this month.
The UK Ministry of Defence also said that tens of thousands of artillery shells will be transferred to Ukraine this year.
+
According to two U.S. officials cited by Politico, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will again miss the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting this week.
As reported by Politico: "Hegseth will once again miss the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting this week."
Politico noted that the U.S. Department of Defense’s Deputy Under Secretary for Policy, Elbridge Colby, will attend the virtual meeting in Hegseth’s place—just as he did in February. The Pentagon declined to comment on the report.
Additionally, Politico reported that General Aleksandr Grinkевич, Supreme Allied Commander Europe at NATO, will also be absent from the meeting, with his deputy attending in his stead.
Politico pointed out that Hegseth’s absence signals a shift in priorities under the Trump administration, reflecting its desire for Europe to shoulder a greater share of support for Kyiv.
+
Vladimir Zelenskyy acknowledged that due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Ukraine’s shortage of Patriot air defense system missiles has "reached its limit."
In an interview with German TV station ZDF, Zelenskyy said: "If the war in the Middle East continues longer, our weapons will dwindle further. Our current shortage has already reached its limit"—referring specifically to Patriot missiles.
Zelenskyy also noted that U.S. attention toward Ukraine is waning due to escalating tensions with Iran.
Source: sputniknews
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1862544419527692/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author