Trump says if EU does not remove tariff on whiskey, the U.S. will impose a 200% tariff on all wines and champagne.

Armenian PM Pashinyan:

There is no absolute truth in history; every interpretation of history is, in fact, a political perception.

Our official stance is that the international recognition of the 1915 events is not among our current foreign policy priorities.

Putin hosts Belarusian leader Lukashenko for talks in Moscow.

Putin aide Ushakov calls the proposal for a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine a "ruse" and an attempt to give Ukrainian forces a breather.

Kremlin aide Ushakov says a temporary 30-day ceasefire would ‘give nothing’ to Russia.

Lukashenko claims the U.S. has no plan for the conflict in Ukraine:

I can say with absolute certainty that the Americans have no plan for the Ukraine conflict—none at all.

What they are doing is probing: what do these people want? What do those people want?

We will discuss this today, and Vladimir Vladimirovich will tell me more.

Lukashenko:

A settlement in Ukraine will be possible when Russia plays its big trump cards.

Russia "cannot be pressured" on Ukraine, the US has put pressure on Kyiv.

Lukashenko concluded his statements.

Putin chose to remain silent.

Future German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Green Party on debt brake reform to expand defense spending:

The whole world is watching Germany.

What more do you want from us in such a short time?

The Painting That Defines Trump’s Foreign Policy

Trump replaced Thomas Jefferson’s portrait with one of James K. Polk, the president behind America’s largest territorial expansion.

“He got a lot of land,” Trump reportedly told visitors, admiring Polk’s Manifest Destiny policies.

Polk annexed Texas, won the Mexican-American War, and secured Oregon, shaping Trump’s own ambitions—Canada, Greenland, the Panama Canal, and Gaza.

Source: WSJ

Putin Aide Ushakov:

The proposal for a 30-day ceasefire is hasty and needs further revision to account for Russia’s interests.

Donald Trump also sees William McKinley as a model president for two main reasons:

Tariffs & Economy: McKinley’s high tariffs protected U.S. industries, which Trump believes made America rich—aligning with his own tariff-heavy trade policies.

Expansionist Foreign Policy: McKinley annexed Hawaii, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam.

BIG: Armenia and Azerbaijan have concluded negotiations and agreed on a draft peace agreement, Armenia’s Foreign Ministry says.

Trump:

The U.S. doesn’t have Free Trade. We have “Stupid Trade.”

The Entire World is RIPPING US OFF!!!

Armenian MFA:

Peace agreement with Azerbaijan is ready to be signed, Armenia is ready to discuss date and place of signing.

Ethiopia and Eritrea on Brink of War

Tensions escalate between Ethiopia and Eritrea, risking direct conflict.

Tigray officials warn of imminent war, citing internal power struggles.

Military mobilization observed, with both countries deploying forces near the border.

Eritrea has ordered nationwide military mobilization.

Ethiopia has deployed troops toward the Eritrean border.

Source: Reuters

Finnish Defense Minister:

Finland will not send troops to Ukraine.

Israeli Foreign Minister:

We call on Europe to monitor Türkiye’s policies in the Middle East and beyond.

Trump boosts defense... Just not in America

Since Trump’s inauguration, European defense stocks have surged as NATO boosts spending, while U.S. defense firms struggle with budget uncertainty.

US Treasury Secretary Bessent:

We are focused on the real economy. Not concerned about a little bit of volatility over a few weeks.

Trump on US-Canada relations.