England's pubs, clubs, and live music venues will receive a 20% business rates discount as part of a £100m aid package from Prime Minister Burnham, aimed at supporting high streets and easing living costs, though some industry leaders and opposition question its scope and funding.
NATO members agreed a €140 billion military aid package for Ukraine at their Ankara summit. US President Trump announced a license for Ukraine to produce Patriot air defense missiles, a move experts call historic but years from production. NATO membership discussions were notably absent.
European leaders and Canada are set to announce a €140 billion aid package for Ukraine over two years (2026-2027) at the NATO summit in Ankara, according to Handelsblatt. The United States has reportedly declined to contribute and insisted on excluding Ukraine's financing and potential NATO membership from the agenda.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the US administration anticipates soon delivering a $400 million military aid package to Ukraine, approved by Congress. He emphasized the urgency of the matter.
France's Prime Minister will unveil a new fuel aid package on Thursday to protect workers and businesses from rising oil prices. The announcement was delayed by a hantavirus scare. Aid will be targeted, not generalized, according to Economy Minister Roland Lescure.
Ukraine spends approximately $450 million daily on hostilities, according to FM Andrey Sibiga, who also emphasizes the potential for a crucial year for peace with US involvement. Meanwhile, the EU has approved €90 billion in aid for Ukraine, with an initial €6 billion tranche for drone production.
At the same time, Jules Hurst noted that the Pentagon will soon begin using the $400 million military aid package for Ukraine previously approved by Congress
US Senator Mitch McConnell has accused the Department of Defense of delaying the transfer of a $400 million military aid package to Ukraine that was previously approved by Congress. McConnell stated in The Washington Post that the legislature had approved two $400 million packages for Ukraine over the next two years, but the aid is still held up at the Pentagon. He placed blame for the delay on Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby.
