Europe's rush to rearm to face off the threat from Russia means countries will have to buy weapons from the US as well as boosting their own arms industries, Lithuania's defense minister told us.
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The EU will not attempt to fully ban Russian liquefied natural gas purchases in its latest sanctions package, two EU diplomats told us, defying pressure to outlaw imports of the supercooled fuel.
Here's the story.
Here's the story.
Hamas has handed over the first of eight hostages expected to be released from Gaza today to Israel.
In exchange, Israel is set to release 110 Palestinian prisoners.
Full story.
In exchange, Israel is set to release 110 Palestinian prisoners.
Full story.
POLITICO
Hamas begins handing over 8 more hostages to Israel – POLITICO
Israeli soldier Agam Berger was released from captivity in Gaza.
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Join us there for in-depth coverage and analysis of the world’s leading international security forum Feb. 13-16. Cheers!
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Moscow has joined Washington in calling for Ukraine to hold elections, sparking concern in Kyiv as it attempts to fend off Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion.
Here's the story.
Here's the story.
POLITICO
Ukraine freaks out as US and Russia push for elections – POLITICO
Ukrainian officials fear an alignment between Washington and Moscow could shut them out of the discussion about their country’s future.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has told the European Union to “step up” when it comes to supporting Ukraine ahead of a meeting with EU leaders to talk security.
Here's the story.
Here's the story.
POLITICO
Keir Starmer tells EU countries to ‘step up’ for Ukraine – POLITICO
U.K. prime minister also wants the EU to target Russia’s energy revenues to keep the pressure on “rattled” leader Vladimir Putin.
Russian armed forces have reportedly killed an "alarming" number of captured Ukrainian troops, the United Nations’ Human Rights Monitoring Mission said today.
Here's the story.
Here's the story.
POLITICO
UN reports ‘alarming rise’ in Russia executing Ukrainian soldiers – POLITICO
“Many Ukrainian soldiers who surrendered or were in physical custody of the Russian armed forces were shot dead on the spot,” a monitoring mission says.
Ukraine’s military is strained, with soaring numbers of ill-trained and exhausted soldiers going AWOL and a difficulty in recruiting new troops.
That’s a problem for Kyiv as it tries to demonstrate to US President Donald Trump that it makes sense to continue backing Ukraine.
Here's the story.
That’s a problem for Kyiv as it tries to demonstrate to US President Donald Trump that it makes sense to continue backing Ukraine.
Here's the story.
Sahra Wagenknecht, a longtime icon of Germany’s far left who is leading her own party into this month’s election, says Donald Trump may be the key to ending the war in Ukraine.
Here's the story.
Here's the story.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has sharply criticized US President Donald Trump’s proposal to tie future military aid for Ukraine to access to its rare earth resources, calling the move "very egotistic, very self-centered."
Here's the story.
Here's the story.
POLITICO
Germany’s populist-left icon believes Trump can make a peace deal with Putin – POLITICO
Sahra Wagenknecht, whose Russia-friendly party may enter the Bundestag in the upcoming election, added that Trump is “blackmailing” Europe into buying American LNG.
President Vladimir Putin signed a decree yesterday establishing a Russian version of the Eurovision Song Contest, after the country was excluded from the continental competition nearly three years ago.
Here's the story.
Here's the story.
POLITICO
Kremlinvision! Putin launches rival song contest – POLITICO
Moscow’s version of the iconic singing competition will likely have different vibes to the original.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen privately suggested triggering an emergency clause to allow countries to increase defense spending, four European Union officials told us.
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Von der Leyen signals ‘extraordinary’ measure to boost EU defense spending – POLITICO
The move would offer national capitals more room to increase defense spending.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested that Ukraine should be given nuclear weapons once the hot phase of the war with Russia is over.
Read the full story.
Read the full story.
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Give Ukraine nuclear weapons, says Zelenskyy – POLITICO
If Ukraine isn’t granted NATO membership it will need another way to defend itself from Russia in future, said the Ukrainian president.
Ukraine has been stressing for months that its rich deposits of everything from titanium to graphite could help US President Donald Trump beat China in the global race for resources.
This week, Trump took the bait.
Full story.
This week, Trump took the bait.
Full story.
US President Donald Trump’s proposal to turn the war-torn Gaza Strip into the “Riviera of the Middle East” was met with condemnation in the Arab world.
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Full story.
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Trump’s Gaza takeover plan sparks Middle East backlash – POLITICO
Saudi Arabia cautions U.S. president after he outlines goal to “own” the Gaza Strip.
Poland is NATO’s top military spender for two reasons: to keep America close and Russia at bay, Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz told us.
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POLITICO
Poland spends big on arms to stay friends with Trump – POLITICO
Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz warns that Europe must spend more “to retain the presence of the Americans in Europe.”
Greenland’s Prime Minister Múte Egede called for an early election on March 11, amid geopolitical tensions caused by US President Donald Trump’s threats to acquire the Arctic island.
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Full story.
POLITICO
Greenland calls for snap election as Trump looms – POLITICO
Prime minister wants election on March 11.
Discussions between Moscow and Washington are ongoing and have started to ramp up, Russian leader Vladimir Putin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
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Full story.
POLITICO
Kremlin says talks with US have ‘intensified’ in recent days – POLITICO
“There are indeed contacts between individual departments,” says spokesperson for Vladimir Putin.
Europe’s Baltics are bracing for cyberattacks as they plan to decouple from a Soviet-era joint power grid with Russia and Belarus in 10 days’ time.
Read the story.
Read the story.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has sacked the boss of space agency Roscosmos, Yuri Borisov, the Kremlin announced today, as the once world-beating program falls behind its competitors in the space race.
Here's the story.
Here's the story.
POLITICO
Putin fires Russia’s space chief – POLITICO
Moscow’s program has stuttered in recent years.