Russia Ukraine News Live: Zelenskyy in Denmark for talks with Danish PM and EU chief on military aid and EU path

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Fredericksen and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Denmark to discuss further cooperation, according to a report in Deutsche Welle. The discussions are expected to focus on critical areas of support for Ukraine, including the delivery of F-16 fighter jets, for which Denmark is a key partner in a Western coalition. The talks also cover continued financial and military aid and Ukraine's ongoing path toward membership in the European Union.

A Chinese official has conveyed to the European Union that Beijing cannot accept a defeat for Russia in its war against Ukraine, according to a report in CNN. The message was delivered directly to EU diplomats, informing them of China's position on the potential outcome of the conflict.

An Estonian court has ruled that an arson attack on a restaurant and supermarket earlier this year was ordered by Russian intelligence, according to a report in AP. The Harju County Court identified two Moldovan cousins as the perpetrators and sentenced one to six and a half years in prison. Western officials have linked the incident to a broader wave of low-level attacks across Europe, asserting that Russia's goal is to sow division and undermine support for Ukraine.

Dutch and German secret services have reported strong evidence indicating that Russia is expanding its use of chemical weapons in its war against Ukraine, Al Jazeera says in a report. The intelligence agencies specifically identified the use of the choking agent chloropicrin by Moscow's forces. The use of such agents as a method of warfare is a violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), an international treaty to which Russia is a signatory. This new report adds significant weight to previous, less substantiated allegations from Ukrainian officials regarding Russia's use of prohibited chemical agents.

President Donald Trump on Thursday criticized the level of military aid sent to Ukraine under the administration of his predecessor, Joe Biden, AP says in a report. In his first public comments on the matter amid Russia's escalating offensive, Trump told reporters the U.S. must ensure it has enough weapons for itself, claiming former President Biden “emptied out our whole country giving them weapons.” The remarks, which concerned aid that included air defense missiles and precision-guided artillery, were made before he boarded Air Force One.

Moldova is seeking assurances for its European Union membership bid as Hungary continues to block the start of accession talks for Ukraine, according to a report in Politico. The two Eastern European countries, both granted EU candidate status in June 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, have seen their bids considered in tandem. However, Hungary's persistent opposition to Ukraine's progress is now prompting Moldova to explore the possibility of its own accession process moving forward independently. This development underscores the challenge the EU faces with its unanimity rule for enlargement, where a single member state can halt the progress of candidate countries.

Two more European nations have joined Denmark in a coordinated effort to crack down on Russia's 'shadow fleet' of sanctions-evading vessels, as per a report in Foreign Policy. The initiative targets the network of often older and poorly insured tankers that Russia utilizes to transport its oil, circumventing international sanctions such as the G7/EU price cap. The crackdown signifies a broader European strategy to close enforcement loopholes and address the significant maritime and environmental risks associated with these unregulated ships.

Russian President Vladimir Putin told US President Donald Trump on Thursday that Moscow would not relinquish its war aims in Ukraine, according to a report in France 24. The statement was made during an hour-long phone call, which marked the sixth publicly disclosed conversation between the two leaders this year. The discussion also covered topics related to Iran and the broader Middle East.

Mali's military government has officially granted its leader, General Assimi Goïta, a five-year presidential term that can be renewed indefinitely, effectively scrapping a previously agreed-upon timeline for a return to civilian rule, France 24 said in a report. This development cements the junta's hold on power in the West African nation, which has progressively shifted its allegiance away from Western partners like France and towards Russia. The move is significant in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war, as it solidifies a pro-Russian regime in a strategic region where Moscow has expanded its influence, partly through the deployment of Wagner Group military contractors, while seeking to counter Western efforts to isolate it on the global stage.

Democratic Representative Eugene Vindman has spoken out against a move by the Pentagon to pause some weapon shipments to Ukraine, according to a report in Fox News. Vindman, who is reportedly 'furious' about the decision, stated his opposition to the halt by asserting that such a delay puts Ukrainian 'lives and territory at risk.' His criticism highlights opposition from some Democratic lawmakers to the current administration's handling of military support for Ukraine's war effort.

Washington is reportedly downplaying the impact of a halt in some weapons shipments to Ukraine as Moscow seeks a breakthrough in its summer offensive, according to a report in The Guardian. A Ukrainian military official confirmed that in recent weeks, Russia has been amassing forces to intensify its military campaign. The development comes as Ukrainian forces face increased pressure from Russia's concentrated push.

US President Donald Trump has paused shipments of military equipment, including precision-guided artillery, to Ukraine, according to a report in AP. The decision has garnered praise from his 'Make America Great Again' supporters, who had recently expressed concern over his commitment to keeping the U.S. out of foreign conflicts after he ordered military strikes in Iran several weeks ago.