Ukraine-Russia war latest: Macron says new package of EU sanctions on Moscow is ‘unprecedented’

The Australian government this morning said it delivered M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine as part of a A$245m ($160m) package to help the country defend itself against Russia in their ongoing war.

Australia, one of the largest non-Nato contributors to Ukraine, has been supplying aid, ammunition and defence equipment since Moscow invaded its neighbour in February 2022.

Ukraine has taken possession of most of the 49 tanks given by Australia, and the rest will be delivered in coming months, said defence minister Richard Marles.

The “M1A1 Abrams tanks will make a significant contribution to Ukraine’s ongoing fight against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion,” Mr Marles said in a statement.

The tanks formed part of the A$1.5bn ($980m) that Canberra has provided Ukraine in the conflict, the government said.

Australia has also banned exports of alumina and aluminium ores, including bauxite, to Russia, and has sanctioned about 1,000 Russian individuals and entities.

At least one person has been killed in a Russian drone attack on Odesa, the governor said.

“The enemy launched a massive attack on Odesa with strike drones. Despite the active work of our air defense forces, there is damage to civilian infrastructure,” Odesa Oblast governor Oleh Kiper said early this morning on Telegram.

“All authorized services have started working on eliminating the consequences of the attack. Information regarding casualties is being clarified,” Mr Kiper said.

EU’s 18th sanctions package against Moscow explained:

Britain on Friday said it had sanctioned more than 20 Russian spies, hackers and agencies over what it called a “sustained campaign of malicious cyber activity” to destabilise Europe.

The foreign ministry said it was sanctioning three units of the Russian military intelligence GRU agency and 18 of its officers, including those it said were involved in targeting strikes against Mariupol during the war in Ukraine, and spying on former agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia before they were targeted in a Novichok poisoning in 2018.

Russia’s foreign ministry has said that Moscow “did not accept threats” after US president Donald Trump said he would give Moscow 50 days to reach a ceasefire in Ukraine or face sanctions.

Mr Trump announced on Monday a toughened stance against Russia over its war in Ukraine, setting out the ceasefire ultimatum and promising a fresh wave of missiles and other weaponry for Kyiv.

Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry, said yesterday that Trump’s decision to supply Ukraine with new missiles was a signal to “continue the slaughter” and a rejection of peace initiatives.

“An unprecedented number of sanctions and restrictions have been imposed on our country and our international partners. There are so many of them that we view the threat of new sanctions as mundane,” Ms Zakharova said.

“The language of ultimatums, blackmail, and threats is unacceptable to us. We will take all necessary steps to ensure the security and protect the interests of our country,” she added.

Yulia Svyrydenko, Prime Minister

Economist who rose from deputy minister to economy minister and first deputy PM since 2019. Led talks with the US on minerals and reconstruction investment. Tasked with driving economic potential and ramping up arms production.

Mykhailo Fedorov, First Deputy PM

In charge of digital transformation, innovation, science and technology. Helped develop military tech through state-backed private sector projects.

Denys Shmyhal, Defence Minister

Former PM since 2020, now overseeing the merged defence and strategic industries ministry. Controls around 36 per cent of GDP spent on defence, with responsibility for weapon production and international arms cooperation.

Taras Kachka, Deputy PM for EU Integration

Former trade representative involved in talks with the U.S. on minerals and with the EU on agriculture trade.

Oleksii Sobolev, Minister for Economy, Environment and Agriculture

Heads a newly merged ministry vital to Ukraine’s export-led economy. Focused on new markets and recovery opportunities.

Svitlana Hrynchuk, Energy Minister

Previously ecology minister and deputy energy minister, with a background in energy policy and climate change.

Ukraine’s newly appointed prime minister Yuliia Svyrydenko has said that her government would be launching a full audit of public finances to achieve “real savings” and that large-scale privatisations should be accelerated.

Ms Svyrydenko, who was voted in by parliament earlier in the day, said on X that her priorities in the role would be to ensure reliable supplies to the army and to expand domestic weapons production.

Ukraine’s Zelensky has appointed former Defence Minister Umerov as Secretary of National Security and Defence Council, according to a decree posted Friday.

The council has a coordinating role on issues of national security and defence under the president and comprises the country’s top political, security and defence chiefs.