Russia’s oil exports remained near a four-month high ahead of talks between President Vladimir Putin and US counterpart Donald Trump aimed at bringing a halt to the war in Ukraine.

• Russia's crude exports near 4-month high at 3.37M barrels/day
• Putin stalling on Ukraine ceasefire, despite U.S. pressure
• Covert crude transfers persist, despite logistical hurdles
• Export values dip by $20M, but Asia-bound shipments remain strong

Source: Bloomberg

🇺🇸🇮🇱 U.S. Weapons Used by Israel in Gaza

Since October 2023, U.S.-made arms have been extensively used in Israel’s invasion of Gaza.

The United States remains Israel’s largest military supplier, providing billions in aid and advanced weaponry.

Abu Hamza, the military spokesman for Al-Quds Brigades, was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike that also targeted his family.

Putin:

28,595 sanctions were imposed against Russia.

Even if sanctions against Russia are eased, another way will be found to put a spoke in the wheel.

It won't be like it was before.

CONFIRMED: Abu Hamza (Naji Abu Seif), the military spokesman for Al-Quds Brigades, and his family were killed in an Israeli airstrike early this morning.

Chinese carmaker BYD’s Zhengzhou factory, once complete, will be larger than San Francisco.

It’s about 10x the size of Tesla’s Gigafactory Nevada.

BYD now has 900,000+ employees, adding 200,000+ in just three months, creating over 1 million jobs across its supply chain.

IDF says it struck artillery positions in the Khan Arnabeh area of southern Syria that "posed a threat to Israel."

Macron:

French military will get more Rafale orders.

Italian PM Meloni:

I am not sure if it is good to respond to US tariffs with EU tariffs.

Macron:

Luxeuil-les-Bains base will be the first base to host the next version of the Rafale and its hypersonic nuclear missile by 2035, a symbol of the renewal of the modernization of our nuclear deterrent.

Ukrainian F-16 jet flying at low altitude over Sumy near the frontlines.

Italian PM Meloni:

We believe that France-UK proposal of sending European troops to Ukraine is a risky and ineffective option.

Estonia will increase its defense spending to at least 5% of GDP from next year, up from 3.3% this year.

Germany’s Future Chancellor Friedrich Merz:

This is a war against Europe, not just a war against Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

And even if you (AfD and Die Linke) see it differently, this is also a war against our country—one that is happening every day.

Meloni:

Italy proposes providing Ukraine security guarantees similar to Article 5 of NATO treaty.

The militant group Al Shabaab said it targeted Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s motorcade in Mogadishu today.

Somali government and military officials confirmed the president was unharmed.

The last known direct attack on Mohamud was in 2014, during his first term.

NEW: Hungary’s parliament just passed a law banning Pride.

Hungary’s government, led by PM Viktor Orbán, was able to pass the bill to ban Budapest Pride.

The ruling Fidesz party plans to track attendees using facial recognition and impose fines up to €500 on participants.

Notable: Tesla board members and executives have sold over $100 million in stock in the recent weeks.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen:

I want to be clear to Greenland, Denmark that Europe will always stand for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Indian PM Modi has joined Trump's Truth Social.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen:

Europe must rearm by 2030.

Europe must have a strong European defence posture by 2030.