Jens Stoltenberg: “We remain ready to defend every inch of Allied territory from any aggression”

The NATO-Ukraine Council met on Wednesday (26 July 2023) to address the serious security situation in the Black Sea region following Russia’s unilateral termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative brokered by the United Nations and Türkiye. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg convened the meeting following a request for crisis consultation from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană chaired the Council, reads a press release of NATO.

African leaders arrive in Russia for summit

Some African leaders arrived in Russia for a summit with President Vladimir Putin as he seeks allies amid the fighting in Ukraine, while the Kremlin accused Western powers of “outrageous” efforts to pressure other African heads of state not to attend, AP reports.

NATO slams 'dangerous' Russian blockade of Ukraine's Black Sea grain exports

NATO condemned Russia's "dangerous" moves to block Ukrainian grain exports in the Black Sea after urgent consultations with Kyiv on Wednesday following Moscow's withdrawal from a key grain deal last week, AFP reports.

US and allies working with Ukraine on alternative routes to deliver grain, White House

The United States and its allies are working with Kyiv on alternative land routes to deliver critical grain to the world after Russia pulled out of the grain deal that had permitted Ukrainian grain to travel through the Black Sea, the White House said Wednesday, CNN reports.

Sinéad O’Connor dies aged 56

Sinéad O’Connor has died at the age of 56, prompting grief and tributes for a singer who enchanted and at times shocked the world, The Guardian reports.

Niger soldiers declare coup on national TV

Soldiers in the West African country of Niger have announced a coup on national TV. They said they had dissolved the constitution, suspended all institutions and closed the nation's borders, BBC reports.

Ukraine intercepts 40 Russian missiles, Ukrainian air force says

The Ukrainian Air Force says it intercepted 40 Russian missiles Wednesday, CNN reports.

Zelensky, before the Ukraine-NATO meeting on the topic of Black Sea security: We have already started preparations for an interoperability plan

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Tuesday evening that at the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting that will take place on Wednesday, the main topic of discussion will be the security of the Black Sea, Ukrainian ports and grain exports, and said that preparations for an interoperability plan have already begun with the North Atlantic Alliance, reports news.ro.

Death toll rises in Greece and Italy, following devastating fires and storms

At least seven people have died in the past 24 hours in Italy following wildfires and violent storms. Three people died in the fires in Sicily, and four others lost their lives in storms in the north of the peninsula, while hundreds more were forced to flee their homes, The Guardian reports.

EU ready to move almost all of Ukraine's grain exports via solidarity lanes

The European Union is ready to export almost all of Ukraine’s agriculture goods via solidarity lanes, the EU’s agriculture commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski said, Reuters reports.

Britain warns Russia may start targeting civilian ships

The United Kingdom has warned that it has information indicating Russia’s military may start to target civilian shipping in the Black Sea, as the European Union pledged to help Ukraine export almost all its farm produce via rail and road, Reuters reports.

EU Council adopts Energy Efficiency Directive

The EU Council on Tuesday adopted new rules aimed at reducing final energy consumption in the EU by 11.7% in 2030, but Member States will be given flexibility in reaching the target, a press release from the Spanish Presidency said, according to Agerpres.