Ukraine war: Russian attacks, NATO aid, sanctions

As NATO prepares for its July summit in Ankara, alliance members have agreed to pledge approximately €70 billion in military aid to Ukraine for 2026, with at least equivalent levels for 2027. The declaration, approved by ambassadors, reaffirms NATO's collective defense commitment and labels Russia a long-term threat. European members and Canada will provide most of the funding, responding to declining US support under President Donald Trump, who has criticized European defense spending. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz defended Germany's planned doubling of its defense budget and countered Trump's remarks. Meanwhile, the European Union imposed sanctions on six Russian scientists linked to the chemical weapons program, citing their involvement in the development of epibatidine, a toxin identified in the body of deceased dissident Alexei Navalny. The EU ties the sanctions to Russia's violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention. On the battlefield, Russia claims to have captured the Ukrainian stronghold of Kostyantynivka in Donetsk, while Russian missile and drone strikes on Kyiv killed at least 30 people, according to Ukrainian officials. The attack has highlighted Ukraine's shortage of missile interceptors. NPR's coverage focuses on the human toll of the Kyiv strikes, while also reporting on the US July 4th heat wave and political dynamics. Il Sole 24 Ore adds context on Lithuania's desire to participate in NATO nuclear deterrence and Germany's urgent summoning of the Chinese ambassador over reports of Russian soldiers training in China. The story reflects the multifaceted nature of the conflict, intertwining military aid packages, sanctions, battlefield developments, and diplomatic tensions.