Polish-Ukrainian Leaders to Meet in Berlin on Ukraine Security

Leaders from several European countries will gather in Berlin on Wednesday to discuss future security guarantees for Ukraine. The meeting also follows up on discussions from last week's G7 summit in France. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will not attend the Ukraine Recovery Conference scheduled for 25-26 June in Gdansk, Poland.

Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko will lead the Ukrainian delegation instead. Tensions between Poland and Ukraine have risen in recent days over a medal, the renaming of a military unit, and historical issues. Officials in both countries have signaled efforts to focus on practical outcomes rather than political disputes.

European Commission officials met with Taliban representatives in Brussels to discuss the return of Afghan nationals who have committed serious crimes or pose security threats. Details of the meeting, including time and location, were not disclosed.

A Commission spokesperson stated the discussion focused on irregular Afghan migrants who committed serious crimes or pose a security threat. No data was provided on how many such individuals currently reside in Europe. The European Commissioner for Migration will hold a press conference later Wednesday on strengthening Europol.

A European Commissioner traveled to Israel on Monday in a trip that had been planned before recent diplomatic tensions. The Commission's chief spokesperson said the visit had been arranged in advance but was not listed on the Commissioner's webpage.

Israel's foreign minister severed contact with the EU's top diplomat following media reports alleging comparisons to apartheid-era South Africa. Several EU diplomats questioned the timing of the Commissioner's visit given the recent diplomatic developments.