The Trump administration proposed a peace plan pressuring Ukraine to lease the Donbas to Russia.

Under the deal, Ukraine would give Russia de facto control of the region but keep legal ownership, with Moscow paying an unspecified rental fee.

The arrangement is designed to avoid a Ukrainian referendum—which would block outright territorial cession—and to lock in a ceasefire.

Source: The Telegraph

Kremlin:

Putin has no meeting with U.S. Army Secretary Driscoll on his schedule.

Chief of the French Armed Forces:

We must accept that we may lose our children.

The FT editorial board argues Zelensky must overhaul his governing style: bring in competent reformers, cooperate with constructive opposition, protect independent media, and remove figures tied to abusive power structures—especially his powerful Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak.

With Ukraine under military and economic pressure, restoring trust is essential.

A squadron of Israeli military aircraft flew over the western Hama countryside and parts of the Latakia countryside in Syria.

Sudan: 42 UAE-backed RSF fighters surrendered to army positions in Kordofan, approaching under white flags.

Turkish defense company MKE has successfully produced and tested the 127 mm/54-caliber national naval gun barrel.

The barrel was integrated into the weapon system on the TCG Fatih frigate and completed its firing tests.

Niger: JNIM militants killed at least 10 soldiers near Garbougna in Tillaberi.

Nigeria: ISWAP shared footage of a destroyed army vehicle after a Monday attack in Mainte, Borno, where 15 soldiers were killed.

The U.S. Border Patrol has been secretly using a nationwide network of license-plate readers and predictive algorithms to track millions of American drivers — even far from the border.

The system flags “suspicious” travel patterns, then tips off local police to pull drivers over for minor infractions.

Many are questioned, searched, or arrested despite no evidence of wrongdoing.

Source: ABC News

BREAKING: The U.S.-drafted peace plan pressures Ukraine to accept a deal that would lift sanctions on Russia.

Source: Bloomberg

The plan also calls for Ukraine to halt war-crimes investigations into Russian actions.

Source: Bloomberg

Dick Cheney’s funeral in Washington will draw a bipartisan crowd, including all four living former vice presidents and former presidents George W. Bush and Joe Biden.

Donald Trump and JD Vance were not invited.

Source: CNN

Trump blasted six Democratic lawmakers who told U.S. troops to refuse illegal orders, calling them “traitors” and saying their actions amount to “seditious behavior punishable by death.”

He posted the comments on Truth Social after they released a video stressing that military members must reject unlawful commands.

Iran has asked Saudi Arabia to help persuade the U.S. to restart stalled nuclear talks, worried about another Israeli strike and its worsening economy.

President Pezeshkian told Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that Iran wants no confrontation and remains open to diplomacy if its rights are guaranteed.

Saudi Arabia, with strong influence in Washington, says it supports a peaceful resolution.

Source: Reuters

Netanyahu's Office:

For many years there has been a clear understanding between the United States and Israel that Israel maintains its qualitative military edge.

This was true yesterday, it is true today, and Netanyahu believes it will remain true in the future.

Zelensky's Office:

Zelensky has officially received a draft plan from the American side.

The President will discuss it with Trump by phone in the near future, aiming for a dignified end to the war.

NEW: South Africa is in last-minute talks with the U.S. about possible participation in the upcoming G20 summit after initially planning to boycott.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said discussions are underway to see what level of U.S. involvement is still possible.

Israel has signed a multi-billion-dollar deal with Rafael to ramp up production of the Iron Dome air-defence system, boosting interceptor supply for the Israeli military.

The contract is backed by the 2024 U.S. aid package and ensures continuous production of Tamir interceptors.

JD Vance on Russia-Ukraine:

Why don't you stop killing each other and start trading with one another?

Why don't they actually engage in some commerce, travel between the two countries, engage in some sort of cultural exchange?

At the Dubai Airshow 2025, the JF-17 Block-III drew major attention as Pakistan announced that a friendly country signed an MoU to procure the jet.