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.

Trump:

“We will WIN on everything! Egg prices are down, oil is down, interest rates are down.

The only thing you have to fear, is fear itself!”

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Minister of Defense Yaşar Güler and Intel chief Ibrahim Kalın have arrived in Damascus, the capital of Syria.

Armenian PM Pashinyan:

Armenia and Azerbaijan will not deploy foreign forces along the border after signing of the peace agreement.

Armenian PM Pashinyan:

Armenia is ready to start consultations on the timing of signing a peace treaty with Azerbaijan.

Armenian PM Pashinyan:

The draft peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan is a compromise.

Trump's envoy Witkoff presented an updated proposal for extending the Gaza ceasefire deal by several weeks in return for additional hostage releases by Hamas and the resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Source: Axios

Zelensky meets with representatives of the Turkish government and business.

Discussing the development of bilateral relations, opportunities for cooperation in the field of production of various types of drones and the participation of Turkish companies in the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Zelensky:

It is important that Turkish business is already represented in Ukraine. Our state appreciates this, as well as the assistance and support, in particular the supply of "Bayraktars".