Ukraine war briefing: €90bn EU loan for Ukraine to be released in second quarter | Ukraine

Donald Trump condemned a massive Russian drone and missile attack that ripped apart Ukraine on Thursday through apartment buildings in the capital Kiev. Asked about the reaction of journalists at the White House about the dam, Trump said, “I think it’s terrible.”

It is not in the United States’ interest for Russia to be the winner of the Iran war, German vice chancellor Lars Klingbeil said in Washington on Thursday. “This is not in our interest and cannot be in the interest of the United States,” he said in a joint statement with Ukrainian and Norwegian finance ministers on the sidelines of the IMF spring meetings. Klingbeil said Russia’s economy is growing thanks to the conflict in the Middle East and the country is benefiting from its energy situation. While the conflict in the Middle East dominated the meeting of IMF financial officials in Washington, ministers from Norway, Germany and Ukraine mentioned that they did not forget to support Ukraine in its defense against Russia. “All the meetings here are about the question of what’s happening with the war in Iran, and I think it’s really important that we show solidarity with our friends in Ukraine,” Klingbeil said.

Donald Trump cast doubt on Washington’s commitment to the transatlantic alliance on Thursday as EU and NATO chiefs discussed efforts to bolster European arms production. “We need to invest more, produce more and do both faster,” European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said in an online statement after meeting with NATO chief Mark Rutte. European countries are struggling to strengthen their militaries in the face of Russia’s war against Ukraine and Trump’s pressure.