Western Guarantees for Ukraine Narrow In as Kyiv Sets EU Path
Western powers are finalizing security and economic guarantees for Ukraine to deter Moscow and rebuild its postwar economy, with Zelensky saying the US–Ukraine document is ready for signing and Kyiv targeting EU membership by 2027. Russia seeks concessions amid renewed arms-control talk and nuclear rhetoric, while Moscow expands the use of Starlink-enabled BM-35 drones to extend strike reach; domestically, Russia faces rising costs and inflation. On the battlefield, Ukrainian long-range strikes hit Russian oil infrastructure as Russian forces push and probe in Sumy, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson sectors with limited gains, as drone warfare and electronic warfare remain central to operations. ISW cautions that meaningful battlefield progress is uneven and emphasizes Ukraine’s need for robust air defense against mid-range drone threats.