Ukraine, Briefly

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• The United Kingdom said it will supply long-range missiles to Ukraine, joining the United States in reinforcing the country’s defense systems despite Russian threats, the Hill reported. British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace announced the delivery of multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS), which can hit targets of up to 50 miles away with excellent accuracy.

• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy greeted soldiers and bestowed military honors near the front in eastern Ukraine in a visit intended at raising morale and emphasizing his position as a wartime leader, the New York Times wrote. The journey on Sunday was cloaked in secrecy and only announced at the last minute: He visited the city of Lysychansk, which is maybe the closest he has gotten to actual fighting in the east since the war began.

• Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer wants the European Union to include a “halfway house” in its application procedure to allow Ukraine and Moldova a stepping stone to full EU membership, according to the Washington Post. He proposed a “European preparatory space” to give countries such as Ukraine associated status while they work to reach EU standards.

• Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was forced to abandon a visit to Serbia because the nations surrounding the country have banned Russian flights from their airspace, making no exceptions, the Guardian noted. In comments cited by Russian news media, its foreign ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, dubbed the restriction, “another blocked channel of communication.”