Ukraine

Russia is set to bolster its military capabilities with the formation of two new combined armies and the addition of 14 divisions by the end of this year, announced Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in Moscow.

Explosions rang out in the centre of Ukraine's capital on Thursday, following air alerts prompted by Russian missiles and drones, a day after several civilians were killed on both sides of the conflict.

Around ten loud blasts were heard by AFP journalists from 05:00 am (0300 GMT) in Kiev, as well as air defence fire.

A strategic corridor stretching from Ukraine to the ports of Romania and Bulgaria is rapidly evolving into a prominent global marketplace for grain trade in the Northwest Black Sea region, announced Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

In a display of discontent, Polish farmers initiated over 500 road blockades on Wednesday, protesting against the influx of cheap food imports from Ukraine and challenging the European Union's climate policy, Reuters reported. 

As the Russo-Ukrainian war enters its third year, there is considerable anticipation across Europe for its resolution, given the substantial human and material toll on both sides. Many questions loom over Europe regarding this protracted war, which unexpectedly erupted on the continent's doorstep.

Greece will continue supplying Ukraine with guns and ammunition this year without depleting its stocks.

The equipment will be bought from the Czech Republic and transferred directly to Ukraine. Czech and Greek officials are negotiating the prices of these systems; signing a bilateral agreement will follow.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will receive French President Emmanuel Macron in Berlin on Friday after tensions between the leaders blew out into the open over differences on how to support Ukraine.

After a clear-the-air meeting in the chancellery, the pair will be joined by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk for urgent consultations on further European military backing for Kiev.

An initiative led by the Czech Republic is set to bolster Ukraine's military capabilities as it grapples with the ongoing war against Russian forces. The plan, which entails the delivery of hundreds of thousands of artillery shells to Ukrainian troops, is slated to commence by June at the latest, according to a senior Czech official.

Ukrlandfarming, the owner of a significant grain silo in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region, revealed that the facility was obliterated in a devastating attack over the weekend. Tragically, an employee lost their life in the assault, underscoring the severity of the situation.

Ukraine on Sunday angrily rejected Pope Francis's call to negotiate with Russia two years into its invasion, vowing "never" to surrender after the pontiff said Kiev should "have the courage to raise the white flag".