EU: Russia on the back foot as Ukraine momentum grows

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Russia is on the back foot and that the war dynamics are shifting in Ukraine’s favor, calling for an unconditional ceasefire, Russia to stop sabotage, cyberattacks and interference, and insisting Europe won’t be a neutral mediator; the bloc plans more sanctions and will leverage trade ties. The day also saw Ukraine strike a major defence deal with Sweden for up to 20 Gripen jets, while Bulgaria and Hungary push reforms to unlock EU funds and Latvia approves a new government, and the EU imposes a €200m fine on Temu for illegal and dangerous products.