US-Ukraine security deal waiting to be signed, says Zelenskyy – Europe live | World news
Morning opening: The week after the previous week
Yakup Krupa
of Ukraine Negotiations on security guarantees agreement with the US are “100%” completed, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said The agreement had been waiting to be signed as Russia praised the trilateral talks with Ukraine and the United States over the weekend as being held in a “constructive spirit”.
Kremlin spokesman said, “It would be a mistake to expect significant results from the first contacts… However, the fact that these contacts started in a constructive spirit can be considered positive. However, there is important work to be done in the future.” Dmitry Peskov he told reporters.
As is often the case in these matters, Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed. The talks will continue next weekend.
In the meantime, we expect some briefing after the series of crises last week. We will see NATO secretary general Mark Rutte testify in the European Parliament later today. I’m trying to provide some more detail about his discussions with Donald Trump on Greenland and his plans for the security of the Arctic.
Separately, Parliament’s trade committee will consider whether to make progress on implementing the EU-US trade deal, which was bitterly negotiated last summer. or wait a little longer to see if Trump changes his mind on tariffs and Greenland.
Separately, the EU is also expected to give some more information about its investment plans there as part of increasing its presence in Greenland. Jozef SikelaThe European commissioner for partnerships is in Denmark today.
We have a lot to overcome.
His Monday, January 26, 2026, his Yakup Krupa here and this Europe Live.
Good morning.
important events
Top EU leaders continue to criticize Trump for ‘disrespectful’ comments on Afghanistan
Meanwhile, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called on US President Donald Trump to apologize for his remarks suggesting that America’s NATO allies in Afghanistan were refraining from serving on the front line. Reuters reported.
During the weekend, Trump partially walked back his comments, publicly praising British soldiers, but made no apology to other US NATO allies.including those prominently featured in Afghanistan Canada, France, Italy, Germany, Poland And Denmark.
“It’s not right and disrespectful to talk about your allies’ dead like that. They all stood there with the USA. It is absolutely not right to claim anything else today,” Pistorius said during a talk show on Germany’s public broadcaster ARD late Sunday.
he said would bring up the issue In his next meeting with the US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth.
Lots of weekends Other continental leaders also expressed concern about Trump’s remarks.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni noted Trump’s “surprise” expressions “Our nation has endured an unquestionable cost,” he said, where 53 people died and more than 700 people were injured in the line of duty.
“Therefore, statements that minimize the contribution of NATO countries in Afghanistan are unacceptable. “especially if they come from an allied country,” he said and added: “friendship requires respect“It is an essential condition for continuing to ensure the solidarity at the heart of the Atlantic alliance.”
Retired Danish defense chief Knud BartelsHe served as chairman of NATO’s military committee between 2012 and 2015. Moreover He criticized Trump’s “baseless disregard” for Danish soldiers, saying the US president’s comments were “an insult to the families of soldiers killed in action in Afghanistan” and caused “inexcusable pain”.
Czech Republic President Petr Pavela retired NATO general, Moreover He publicly said he wanted to “remember the deployment and sacrifices” of allied forces in Afghanistan.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michel Moreover “Estonia never hesitated to respond to the call of our US allies.”
EU countries sign Russia’s LNG and pipeline gas ban
27 EU countries have given their final approval to ban imports of liquefied natural gas from Russia by January 1, 2027, and a complete ban on Russian pipeline gas by September 30, 2027.
The European Council’s press release this morning stated that “the ban will come into force six weeks after the regulation comes into force” but added:
“There will be a transition period for existing contracts. This phased approach will limit the impact on prices and markets. “There will be a complete ban on LNG imports from the beginning of 2027, and a complete ban on pipeline gas imports from the autumn of 2027.”
The Council added: “Before allowing gas imports into the Union, EU countries will verify the country where the gas is produced.”
Reuters noted that the ban was designed as follows: It was approved by a strengthened majority of countries, allowing it to overcome opposition from Hungary and Slovakia. Countries that are heavily dependent on Russian energy imports and want to maintain close ties with Moscow.
Explaining the necessity of the policy, the European Council said:
“After Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its use of energy as a weaponEU leaders agreed in the Versailles Declaration in March 2022: Phase out dependence on Russian fossil fuels as quickly as possible.
As a result, imports of gas and oil from Russia to the EU have decreased significantly in recent years. However, while oil imports will fall below 3% in 2025 as a result of the current sanctions regime, Russian gas still accounts for an estimated 13% of EU imports in 2025, with an annual value exceeding €15 billion. “This exposes the EU to significant risks in terms of trade and energy security.”
Finland warns about Russia’s ongoing hybrid activities in the region
Separately, Finland’s military intelligence warned about Russia’s ongoing hybrid activities and the deteriorating security situation in the Baltics; Russia is “preparing to strengthen its military presence near the Finnish border” when its resources allow it.
In its annual evaluation, published late last weekIntelligence service warned Russia continues its “aggressive anti-Western activities” “Hospitality towards the West… is also… more pronounced in the Baltic Sea region” and with a series of “hybrid” operations that he wants to be “difficult to deny or attribute to Russia.”
IT A special warning was made about “intelligence, espionage and sabotage threats” against Finland and other countries, but “it is likely that Russia does not view Finland as a primary target”, he said.
In another example, It was pointing at a Russian-made Indian Talwar II-class frigate heading to the Gulf of Bothnia. The northernmost arm of the Baltic Sea, he noted, “it is extremely rare for foreign warships to go there.” “Although the ship was Indian activities serve Russia’s interests in testing the response of Finland and Sweden,he said.
especially, Russia continues to “aggressively” protect its shadow fleet, It said there was an “increased risk of intentional or unintentional escalation and accidents”, including jamming of navigation systems.
He also added: Moscow “will most likely continue its ambition to damage the Baltic Sea’s undersea infrastructure.”
The report also He emphasized the impact of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine on the security of the regionHe said Moscow had “successfully used negotiations to delay western countermeasures”, which he said meant there was a “high probability of continuing the war”.
Finland steps up maritime surveillance with EU and Baltic states to protect critical submarine infrastructure
Meanwhile, The Finnish Border Guard, together with other Baltic Sea states and the European Commission, is establishing a maritime surveillance center to protect critical undersea infrastructure in the Gulf of Finland. Reuters reported.
“Competent authorities must have the ability and authority to intervene in situations occurring in territorial waters and the exclusive economic zone,” the statement said.
The Baltic Sea region has been on high alert after a series of power cable, telecom links and gas pipeline disruptions since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, and NATO has increased its presence in the Baltic Sea with frigates, aircraft and drones.
Morning opening: The week after the previous week
Yakup Krupa
of Ukraine Negotiations on security guarantees agreement with the US are “100%” completed, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said The agreement had been waiting to be signed as Russia praised the trilateral talks with Ukraine and the United States over the weekend as being held in a “constructive spirit”.
Kremlin spokesman said, “It would be a mistake to expect significant results from the first contacts… However, the fact that these contacts started in a constructive spirit can be considered positive. However, there is important work to be done in the future.” Dmitry Peskov he told reporters.
As is often the case in these matters, Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed. The talks will continue next weekend.
Meanwhile, after a series of crises in the past week, we expect some information to be released. We will see NATO secretary general Mark Rutte testify in the European Parliament later today. I’m trying to provide some more detail about his discussions with Donald Trump on Greenland and his plans for the security of the Arctic.
Separately, Parliament’s trade committee will consider whether to make progress on implementing the EU-US trade deal, which was bitterly negotiated last summer. or wait a little longer to see if Trump changes his mind on tariffs and Greenland.
Separately, the EU is also expected to give some more information about its investment plans there as part of increasing its presence in Greenland. Jozef SikelaThe European commissioner for partnerships is in Denmark today.
We have a lot to overcome.
His Monday, January 26, 2026, his Yakup Krupa here and this Europe Live.
Good morning.
