Hello,

Estonia blamed Russia's security services for an arson attack on a company supplying military vehicles to Ukraine, prompting a show of support from NATO and European allies.

This comes as the US Navy selected Boeing to build its next-generation fighter, and China warned of a response to proposed EU trade restrictions.

Read more below ⤵️

Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇺🇸 Boeing wins Navy fighter contract: The US Navy selected Boeing to develop its F/A-XX sixth-generation carrier-based fighter under a $20bn contract covering test aircraft and weapons integration. The aircraft is intended to operate alongside the F-35 and replace Super Hornets and Growlers from the 2030s, with Boeing promising compatibility with both crewed and uncrewed platforms.

2️⃣ 🇺🇸🇨🇳 President Trump rejects joint AI venture: US President Donald Trump ruled out a joint artificial-intelligence venture with China, saying cooperation would give Beijing access to American secrets. His remarks followed the countries' agreement to open an AI dialogue and a channel for handling related incidents, with further talks scheduled for November.

3️⃣ 🇺🇦🇪🇺 Ukraine seeks access to Russian assets: Ukraine's Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko urged EU donors to use immobilised Russian assets to help cover a possible $78bn financial and military shortfall in 2027. The European Commission has not validated Kyiv's figures and said Ukraine must deliver agreed reforms to unlock assistance already approved.

4️⃣ 🇬🇧🇪🇺 Prime Minister Burnham signals Brexit changes: British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Brexit had done more harm than good and pledged to present options for future UK-EU relations at a summit later this year. He stopped short of calling for Britain to rejoin the bloc, while also promising to use the UK's 2027 G20 presidency to pursue a global code regulating AI.

5️⃣ 🇨🇳🇪🇺 China warns EU over trade restrictions: China's commerce ministry warned of a response to protect its industries if the EU imposed restrictions on Chinese companies or products. The ministry criticised a reported proposal by some EU states for a stronger tool against unfair trade, saying extra pressure would undermine trust and disrupt consultations.

Major Story

🇪🇪🇷🇺 Estonia blames Russia for defence-firm arson

Estonia said Russia's security services ordered an arson attack on a Tallinn building used by Milrem Robotics, which supplies unmanned ground vehicles to Ukraine.

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said an investigation linked Moscow to the 15 August fire and summoned Russia's charge d'affaires.

Estonian authorities said three Latvian suspects had been detained in Latvia and handed over to Estonia.

The Kremlin rejected the allegations as unfounded, while NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European leaders pledged support for Estonia and Ukraine.

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said his country would respond with stronger security, more support for Ukraine and greater pressure on Russia.

Other News

1️⃣ 🇰🇷🇰🇵 Seoul promises response over border mines: South Korea's Defence Minister Kang Shin-chul said North Korean mines apparently caused blasts that wounded three soldiers in the demilitarised zone, calling it an armistice violation and promising a response. He said measures would be introduced in stages, while military officials reported finding an unexploded North Korean mine during a fresh investigation.

2️⃣ 🇺🇸🇮🇷 US sanctions Iran's procurement network: The US Treasury sanctioned ten individuals and entities in Iran, Hong Kong and Pakistan for allegedly procuring weapons and components for Iran's defence ministry. The measures form part of Washington's campaign to cut Tehran's financial lifelines, as Iran's currency fell to a record low of more than 2.5 million rials to the dollar.

3️⃣ 🇺🇸🇪🇺 US leaves European anti-corruption group: The Council of Europe announced that the US had formally notified it of its withdrawal from GRECO, the organisation's anti-corruption watchdog. The State Department said membership brought no tangible national-security benefits and that it would instead prioritise sanctions, visa restrictions and targeted assistance against corruption.

4️⃣ 🇺🇸 White House offers emergency oil loans: The White House announced plans to offer energy producers loans of up to 40 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the remainder of a commitment made in March. It is also urging the EU to release emergency diesel stocks, while energy analyst Patrick De Haan warned that constrained refining capacity would limit the effect on prices.

5️⃣ 🇪🇺🇷🇸 EPP members seek Serbian party expulsion: Senior European People's Party members called for Serbia's ruling SNS to be suspended or expelled after senior Serbian officials attended convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic's funeral. An EPP official said no decision would come before Serbia's 25 October election, while party leader Manfred Weber has criticised the attendance without proposing expulsion.

Weekly Updates?

Want weekly updates as well as daily?

Subscribe to our sister publication Geopolitics Weekly here ⤵️

Our Shop

Ukraine Phone Wallpaper Pack