NATO members have said they want Ukraine in the alliance when the time is right, as Turkey drops its opposition to Swedish accession on day one of two-day summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

The US says its decision to deliver controversial cluster munitions to Ukraine has to do with needs on the ground. But allies' reaction, especially in Germany, has been ambivalent.

The French papers focus on a high-stakes vote on the Nature Restoration Act at the European Parliament. It's a key component of the bloc's environmental strategy, but faces staunch opposition from the right. In the US, heatwaves are becoming a "silent killer" for communities. Also: unseeded Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina triumphs by reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals.

The Ukrainian novelist and researcher Victoria Amelina has died following a Russian missile attack. Her friends and colleagues hope that her work will help bring war criminals to justice.

Germany's top diplomat is in South Africa to discuss strengthening bilateral ties in fighting climate change, but the war in Ukraine remains a sticking point.

Ukrainian officials said at least three people died and 22 were injured when Russian missiles hit the crowded center of the eastern city of Kramatorsk. More victims may still be under the rubble.

Ukraine has Europe's largest gas storage capacity, while the EU needs more storage to reduce price volatility. But to go forward, the EU must underwrite the risk against Russian attacks on infrastructure.

International efforts are underway to supply US-made F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, with US President Joe Biden giving the green light at a recent meeting of G7 leaders. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been lobbying relentlessly for the jets.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said the Wagner mercenary group had "almost nullified" Russian President Vladimir Putin. Wagner fighters are said to have left Rostov-on-Don.

At their meeting in Luxembourg, the bloc's foreign ministers agreed to boost the military aid fund for Ukraine by €3.5 billion.

Hundreds of people in Ukraine have been sexually assaulted by Russian soldiers since the invasion of their country began. Now, for the first time, four alleged perpetrators are in the sights of Germany's justice system.

The US, Britain and the EU have pledged €60 billion to help Ukraine rebuild. But Germany's development minister says it's "obvious" that Moscow should ultimately foot the bill for the destruction caused by the war.