David Brennan
Diplomatic Correspondent
David Brennan is currently Newsweek's Diplomatic Correspondent covering world politics and current affairs from London. Prior to joining Newsweek in early 2018, he reported on British politics and global current affairs as a staff writer at International Business Times. Originally from London, David graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2012. You can contact him at d.brennan@newsweek.com.
Russian drones struck 600 feet from NATO border: U.K.
Moscow has been bombarding Ukrainian ports with kamikaze drones and anti-ship missiles, the British defense ministry said.
Number of Wagner reinforcements and vehicles in Belarus revealed
There are now nearly 4,000 Wagner Group fighters in the country, a pro-democratic opposition figure told Newsweek.
Wagner's new Belarus base puts them closer to Moscow than ever
A new base housing Wagner Group exiles in Belarus is less than 500 miles from the Russian capital.
Ukraine details "key battles" in counteroffensive
Kyiv says its forces have freed nearly 90 square miles of territory since its counteroffensive operation began in early June.
How Ukraine's NATO bid went off the rails in Vilnius
German pressure on the White House scuppered Kyiv's hopes of a stronger commitment to future Ukrainian membership, Newsweek was told.
Not the president's men: Why Zelensky keeps shuffling his ambassadors
Ukraine's ambassador to London became the latest Kyiv envoy to be removed from their post by Volodymyr Zelensky.
Ukraine eyeing final phase of war plan, deputy PM says
Olha Stefanishyna told Newsweek that Kyiv expects "clarity" on the provision of F-16 fighter jets and ATACMS long-range munitions.
U.S. 2024 election slogans won't derail Ukraine support—Deputy PM
"Nothing will happen if Ukraine is not on board," Olha Stefanishyna told Newsweek of any potential change in U.S. policy.
Russia naval blockade risks starving 6 million people: Zelensky aide
A long-term Russian blockade of Ukrainian exports would prove "a real disaster for the world," Oleg Ustenko told Newsweek.
Wagner commander reveals number of mercenaries killed in Ukraine
The announcement comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told a Spanish newspaper that Ukrainian fighters had killed 21,000 Wagner troops.
Russia's Odesa blitz "revenge" for Kerch Bridge strike—Ukraine deputy PM
"The summer season in Crimea was slightly shorter than expected," Olha Stefanishyna told Newsweek in an interview.
Videos show Russian boobytraps left in trees, toys, trenches
"Besides artillery, I would say minefields and boobytraps are the biggest killer," one U.S. veteran in Ukraine told Newsweek.
Ukraine victory over Russia is "this year or never": U.S. veteran in Kyiv
Erik Kramer told Newsweek that battlefield delays risk engendering a "low boil forever war" that would slowly sap Ukrainian strength.
Zelensky and Putin battle for Erdogan Black Sea backing
Kyiv and Moscow are fighting for the ear of Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a grain export security deal nears collapse.
"Storm-Z" convict units hinder Russian offensive in Kupiansk direction: ISW
Moscow has amassed 100,000 troops and 900 tanks in northern Ukraine, prompting fears of a major new offensive.
How Russian forces are fighting Ukraine's counteroffensive
Ukrainian forces are "probing to see where there's weakness," Erik Kramer told Newsweek, but face a daunting task in ejecting the Russians.
Ukraine mulls Crimea conundrum: "You cannot punish everyone"
Tamila Tasheva, Ukraine's representative for Crimea, told Newsweek there are some 10,000 Crimean collaborators in line for punishment.
Russian forces "scrambling" to keep Crimea control: Kyiv envoy
"Ukraine is actively preparing to bring Crimea and other occupied territories back, and the Russians see that," Tamila Tasheva told Newsweek.
Ukraine won't "barter" territory for NATO, EU status: Crimea envoy
"We are not currently entertaining any kind of frozen conflict or referendum scenarios," Tamila Tasheva told Newsweek.
Putin "laughing" at NATO: exiled official
The alliance's hesitance to set out a timetable for Ukrainian membership will have buoyed the Kremlin, Boris Bondarev tells Newsweek.
China's role in Putin's war might be backfiring
The deepening strategic cooperation between Moscow and Beijing is raising concerns among NATO members and their Indo-Pacific partners.
Russia has "precious little" reserve strength left: U.K. defense secretary
"They are in a position where the attrition rates for the Russian forces are difficult," Ben Wallace said of President Vladimir Putin and his military planners.
Putin's "bad bet" in Ukraine won't get better, U.S. official says
The White House national security adviser said the Western allies would outlast the Kremlin in its support for Ukraine.
Ukraine receives Storm Shadow boost as France commits 'SCALP' missiles
The French president on Tuesday said Paris would provide Kyiv with "deep strike capabilities" in the form of cruise missiles.
Zelensky hits out at "absurd" NATO
The Ukrainian president said he would attend the pivotal summit in Lithuania to warn allies against "uncertainty" and "weakness."
Ukraine has six pivotal months to retake its territory: Czech president
Petr Pavel and other national leaders are converging this week on Vilnius for the NATO summit, under pressure from Kyiv to expand practical military support.
"NATO Lake" receives major boost
"We already have this capability to close part of the Baltic Sea," one NATO foreign minister told Newsweek.
NATO's Erdoğan problem casts shadow over Vilnius
Joe Biden is working on a plan to bring Erdoğan round on Swedish NATO membership as the expansion debate drags on.
Ukraine in NATO "inevitable" despite Biden hesitance, ally says
"Nobody is talking about Ukraine becoming a full member of NATO tomorrow," one alliance foreign minister told Newsweek.
Ukraine counteroffensive is "not fast," Zelensky admits
"We are moving forward and not moving backward like the Russians," Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday.
