For today, links to reports from Agence France-Presse, the Kyiv Independent, Kyiv Post, Tass, the Associated Press, and Reuters; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE 9-18-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  GAZA and MEDIA entries for this date are HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.) — MCM

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EU moves to speed up ban on Russian gas imports in latest sanctions package. From AFP. The EU proposed Friday to speed up its ban on Russian natural gas imports, part of a new sanctions package aimed at weakening the Kremlin’s ability to continue with its war against Ukraine. Under the plan, the bloc . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE, HERE and HERE for reports from the Kyiv Independent, Kyiv Post and Tass.

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Ukraine aims to expand its weapons industry to deter Russia and help allies, by Samya Kullab | AP  KYIV — With little chance of NATO membership for Ukraine, the country’s Western allies have bought into an alternate strategy for helping it repel Russian aggression: invest billions in Ukraine’s weapons industry so it can better defend itself. READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine advances security ties with allies, vows to keep hitting Russian energy, by Olena Harmash and Mike Collett-White | Reuters  KYIV – Ukraine is making progress in intensive talks to formalise legally binding security guarantees with the United States and European allies, a key part of its bid to end the war with Russia, First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya said. READ MORE . . .

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