World Economic Forum:

The Iranian Foreign Minister will not be attending Davos.

Although he was invited last fall, the tragic loss of lives of civilians in Iran over the past few weeks means that it is not right for the Iranian government to be represented at Davos this year.

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said she will dissolve the lower house of parliament on Friday, triggering snap elections.

The election, previously due by October 2028, could now be held as early as Feb. 8.

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German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil:

Germany and France are united: we will not be blackmailed.

There will be a clear and united European response, and we are already preparing joint countermeasures.

If President Trump maintains his tariff threats, Europe is ready.

German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil to Trump's tariff threats:

Let me be very clear: we are not seeking escalation.

Our hand remains outstretched, but we will not be blackmailed.

German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil:

We are constantly experiencing new provocations by Trump.

There is a limit, and that limit has now been reached.

German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil:

The United States is more than Donald Trump.

A line has been crossed.

Reporter: In French, the instrument is nicknamed like a special feature of the nuclear arm. Would its use mean the end of the alliance between the United States and the EU?

French Finance Minister Roland Lescure:

The nuclear weapon is there so as not to be used. A nuclear weapon is first and foremost a weapon of deterrence.

I hope we will remain at that stage here as well.

Obviously, the anti-coercion instrument is part of the tools at our disposal. These would be strong measures, adopted only if we were to go that far.

France hopes deterrence will prevail and that President Trump will return to a frank, friendly relationship based on negotiation rather than threats and blackmail.

I do not wish to assume the end of economic relations between two friends of 250 years—France and the United States.

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi:

We will establish a National Intelligence Agency.

Without strengthening intelligence, Japan cannot protect its peace or its independence.

Ukraine’s Security Service of Ukraine elite Alpha Special Operations Center says its long-range strikes in 2025 destroyed or disabled Russian air-defense systems worth about $4 billion.

Targets included S-300/S-350/S-400, Buk, Pantsir, and Tor systems, plus key radars and early-warning sensors.

BIG: Syrian Army's Operations Command:

There are some terrorist groups affiliated with the PKK and remnants of the former regime that are attempting to disrupt the implementation of the agreement by targeting Syrian Arab forces.

We announce the martyrdom of three soldiers and the injury of two others following two operations targeting our deployed forces.

LATEST MAP: Syria, now.

Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán:

Today Europe is run by a German war troika:

The President of the Commission is a German woman. The German Chancellor, obviously. And the leader of the largest faction in the European Parliament, the EPP, is also a German man.

These three people are the ones shaping Europe’s war policy today.

Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán on war:

Go up on the internet, that’s what I suggest. There you’ll find old photos, and take a look at what Eastern Ukraine looked like before 2015. And what it looks like now.

You will be shocked. That’s what we’re talking about. This is not child’s play.

Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán:

The European experience is that European peacekeepers always become warkeepers.

Danish officials will skip this week’s World Economic Forum in Davos as tensions rise over Greenland.

Source: Bloomberg

German Chancellor Merz:

The U.S. administration has called for greater influence over Greenland, citing security in the High North.

We share this assessment that European NATO partners must do more there, as this is a shared transatlantic interest.

The Bundeswehr has completed a reconnaissance mission to explore possible engagement, and decisions on Germany’s contribution in a multinational framework will be taken in due course.

German Chancellor Merz:

Denmark and the population of Greenland can rely on our solidarity.

We are prepared to support talks with the United States, and the basis of these talks must always be the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

German Chancellor Merz responds to Trump:

Tariffs are usually paid by consumers in the importing country; in this case, American consumers would bear the costs.

At the same time, such tariffs would harm European industry and especially the German economy.