EUROPE MORNING BRIEFING

Overnight, doctored videos featuring celebrities urging European leaders to pressure Ukraine for peace on Russian terms circulated on social media. The campaign has been linked to a broader influence operation targeting Ukraine.

Senior Russian security official Dimitry Medvedev threatened nuclear strikes against Kyiv, Paris, and London, asserting unfounded claims that France and the UK were preparing to provide Ukraine with nuclear weapons. This statement comes as Ukraine marks the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

EU Trade Chief Maroš Šefčovič is urging MEPs to advance the EU-US trade deal, following a US request to uphold commitments. The US Supreme Court’s recent ruling on Trump’s tariffs raises concerns about the 2025 agreement’s validity.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó accused Ukraine of lying and reprimanded Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas during a tense meeting where Budapest exercised its veto powers twice, escalating tensions among EU member states supportive of Ukraine amid ongoing conflicts.

Russia anticipated that Kyiv would collapse within three days, with military experts convinced it was only a matter of time. However, as of 2026, Ukraine remains resilient against the ongoing conflict.

Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski condemned Hungary’s obstruction of EU support for Ukraine, describing it as an “escalation” benefitting Kremlin interests. He called for punitive measures amid concerns over EU unity and security as the situation evolves.