Germany’s Friedrich Merz Calls for ‘Associate’ E.U. Membership for Ukraine

"German Chancellor Friedrich Merz proposed granting

Ukraine an unprecedented “Associate
Member” position within the European Union — which would bring Kyiv closer to the 27-country bloc as it continues its years-long pursuit towards attaining full membership status." Breitbart

After Trump, Putin goes to Beijing — and leaves empty-handed

"Russian President Vladimir Putin traveled to Beijing to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping, just days after Donald Trump did the same.

Although Putin's visit had been scheduled well in advance, the timing alongside U.S.-China talks has heightened the significance of the trip. Russia analysts expect progress toward expanding the Power of Siberia pipeline, a deal the Kremlin has long pushed for.
Despite that, not much had come out of the talks.
Putin and Xi signed a joint declaration, where they committed to "continue deepening comprehensive relations." And that was about it." KI

5.9 Earthquake - 113 km ESE of Bitung, Indonesia

"A strong magnitude 5.9 earthquake occurred in the Maluku Sea near Pulau Mayu island,

Indonesia, at 01:05 GMT. The quake had a shallow depth of 35 km (22 mi) and was felt by many near the epicenter. The shallow depth of the quake caused it to be felt more strongly near the epicenter than a deeper quake of similar magnitude would." VD

253 combat clashes on front line

"There were 253 combat engagements between Ukrainian Defense Forces and Russian troops over the past 24 hours.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, Russian forces launched three air strikes using seven guided aerial bombs and carried out 80 shelling attacks, including two with MLRS. Two assault actions were recorded.
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, Russian troops launched 10 attacks near Lyman, Vilcha, Synelnykove, Vovchanski Khutory, and toward Izbytske.

In the Kupiansk sector, six attacks were recorded toward Kurylivka, Kivsharivka, Novoplatonivka, Novoosynove, and Hlushkivka.
In the Lyman sector, Russian forces attempted to break through Ukrainian defenses seven times near Zarichne, Serednie, and toward Lyman and Shyikivka.
In the Sloviansk sector, four assaults were reported toward Rai-Oleksandrivka, Piskunivka, and near Riznykivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, Russian forces attacked near Minkivka.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, 25 assaults were recorded near Ivanopillia, Illinivka, Pleshchiivka, Vilne, Toretske, Rusyn Yar, Stepanivka, and toward Kostiantynivka and Zolotyi Kolodiaz.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian forces repelled 52 assaults toward Zatyshok, Nikanorivka, Rodynske, Novooleksandrivka, Hryshyne, Kotlyne, Kamianka, Serhiivka, Udachne, Molodetske, Novopavlivka, Novopidhorodnie, Bilytske, Shevchenko, and Myrne.
In the Oleksandrivka sector, Russian troops attacked seven times near Ternove and toward Verbove, Dobropillia, and Kalynivske.
In the Huliaipole sector, Russian forces launched 28 assaults toward Nove Zaporizhzhia, Dobropillia, Rybne, Zlahoda, Zaliznychne, Tsvitkove, Vozdvyzhivka, Verkhnia Terza, Staroukrainka, Huliaipilske, and Charivne.
In the Orikhiv sector, Ukrainian defenders stopped one Russian attempt to advance near Shcherbaky.
In the Prydniprovske sector, Russian forces carried out three assaults toward the Antonivskyi Bridge area." Ukrin