**EU Allocates 170 Million Euros to Six Countries Bordering Russia and Belarus**
The European Commission has announced 170 million euros ($178 million) in financial support for six countries bordering Russia and Belarus. This move aims to strengthen their border protection efforts.
The announcement was made by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen after a discussion with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo. The funds will be allocated to Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Norway.
These countries have taken steps to bolster their defenses in recent months. For example, Finland closed its border with Russia in late 2023, and Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania agreed to build a Baltic defense line earlier this year.
**Other Developments**
In Ukraine, the government has allocated 26.3% of its GDP for defense and security expenditures over the next year. This includes funds for arms purchases and drone production.
The EU ambassadors have also agreed on a new package of sanctions against Russia. However, details of the document will not be published due to sensitivity around some of its findings.
In other news, Austria’s OMV has terminated its long-term gas supply contract with Russian state-owned Gazprom Export.