Costa's visit, which included EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas, symbolized a renewed commitment to supporting Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed placing Ukrainian territory under NATO's protection to help end the ongoing conflict with Russia.

He emphasized that any NATO invitation should cover all of Ukraine's internationally recognized borders, rejecting the acknowledgment of occupied areas as Russian.

In the backdrop of this proposal, a recent Russian missile strike in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region resulted in at least four deaths and 21 injuries, with some victims in serious condition.

These attacks were part of a series of massive airstrikes by Russia that triggered nationwide rocket alarms and caused power outages affecting over one million people in western Ukraine.

On the military front, the Ukrainian military successfully intercepted 88 of the 132 Russian drones launched in a recent attack, showcasing their active countermeasures.

As the conflict persists, the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris has made significant progress five years after the devastating fire, symbolizing resilience amid global turmoil.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned these attacks as 'depraved' during a call with Zelensky, discussing ways to enhance defense cooperation.

Meanwhile, Georgia continues to face unrest following the October elections, with protests erupting over the government's delay in EU membership negotiations, criticized as appeasing Moscow.

Zelensky's remarks came during a press conference in Kyiv alongside Antóni Costa, the new President of the European Council, who was visiting on his first day in office.

In a related geopolitical context, Starbucks has opened a new coffee shop overlooking North Korea, highlighting the intersection of commerce and regional tensions.

Additionally, climate change is impacting cocoa crops in Ghana, raising concerns about future chocolate prices and supply, illustrating the broader challenges faced worldwide.