Europe

Germany reopens its diplomatic mission in Syria after 13-year closure

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock reopened Berlin's embassy in the Syrian capital Damascus on Thursday after a 13-year closure.

Macron confirms Iran released French citizen imprisoned for over 880 days

A French citizen imprisoned in Iran for more than 880 days has been freed, according to President Emmanuel Macron.

US ownership of Ukraine’s power plants ‘best protection’ of energy infrastructure: White House

President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky held a phone call, during which the American leader suggested Washington's ownership of Ukraine's power plants could help ensure their security.

Zelensky agrees to halt attack on Russian energy infrastructure during phone call with Trump

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated he agreed to stop strikes on Russian energy infrastructure during a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump.

US considering relinquishing leadership of NATO’s European command: NBC

The administration of US President Donald Trump is considering scrapping the longstanding role of the US in leading NATO's military operations in Europe, NBC News has reported, citing unnamed defense officials.

‘I don’t want us to be on Putin’s menu’: Zelensky says ceasefire negotiations must include Ukraine

Kyiv must be included in all future negotiations regarding steps to end Russia's full-scale war, President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated in a virtual press conference.

More Americans say Ukraine not getting enough help from US: Poll

More Americans now think the United States is not doing enough to help Ukraine in its war against the Russian onslaught, an uptick from late last year, according to a Gallup survey.

Macron confirms France to deploy nuclear-armed planes to German border

France will upgrade one of its main air bases along its border with Germany to host Rafale fighter planes armed with nuclear cruise missiles, French President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed.

Putin supports limited 30-day ceasefire deal in call with Trump

US President Donald Trump spoke for nearly three hours with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Tuesday amid the U.S. push to secure Moscow’s agreement to a ceasefire in its war against Ukraine.

Russian energy giant Gazprom suffered $13.1 billion loss last year: Report

The loss of a key European market has dealt a severe financial blow to Russian energy giant Gazprom, resulting in net losses of 1.076 trillion rubles ($13.1 billion) in 2024, the Moscow Times has reported.

EU, others pledge over $6bn to Syria in post al-Assad donor drive

The European Union has hosted a donor drive for Syria to encourage a peaceful transition following the fall of former leader Bashar al-Assad.

UK, EU to discuss confiscating Russian assets ahead of Ukraine peace negotiations: Bloomberg

The U.K. and the European Union will discuss confiscating Russian assets to ramp up economic pressure on Moscow ahead of possible peace talks on Ukraine, Bloomberg has reported, citing unnamed sources.

Trump says he will speak with Putin on Ukraine war

U.S. President Donald Trump has stated he plans to speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday and discuss ending the war in Ukraine.

UK proposes Western peacekeeping mission of 10,000 forces in Ukraine

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has presented plans to send 10,000 peacekeeping troops to Ukraine at a high-level virtual summit in London.

Trump, Putin may agree on Ukraine ceasefire soon: US envoy

The presidents of the US and Russia might have a call this week to agree on a ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict, Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, has stated.

US says Ukraine will have to make territorial concessions

Ukraine should be prepared to give up certain territories as part of any future peace negotiations with Russia, US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz has stated.

West can dispatch troops to Ukraine without Russia’s permission: France

Kyiv does not need Russia's permission to invite peacekeeping troops to its territory, French President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview with French regional newspaper Le Parisien.

‘Putin lying to everyone’: Zelensky calls for ‘strong pressure’ on Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged an international coalition to intensify pressure on Moscow and meet with skepticism any claims from Russian President Vladimir Putin about the situation on the battlefield.

Italy says does not plan to send peacekeepers to Ukraine

Rome does not plan to participate in a peacekeeping force on the ground in eastern Ukraine to guarantee a potential ceasefire, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's office has announced.

UK: ‘Troops on ground and planes in sky’ could secure Ukraine peace accord

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced that an expanded coalition of nations is ramping up efforts to back Ukraine in peace negotiations with Russia, following a high-level virtual summit in London.

UN chief urges global action against rising ‘anti-Muslim bigotry’

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has voiced concern over “a disturbing rise in anti-Muslim bigotry”, calling on governments to protect religious freedom and for online platforms to curb hate speech.

US received ‘some pretty good news’ on Ukraine-Russia ceasefire: Trump

The White House has received "some pretty good news" regarding a 30-day ceasefire accord between Russia and Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed during a speech at the Justice Department (DOJ).

Putin calls on Ukraine to order soldiers in Kursk Region to surrender

Moscow is “sympathetic” to US President Donald Trump’s request that the lives of the Ukrainian soldiers encircled in Russia’s Kursk Region be spared, President Vladimir Putin stated during a National Security Council meeting on Friday. Russia will guarantee their lives if they lay down their arms, he added.

US plans to dispatch upgraded long-range bombs to Ukraine: Reuters

The United States has upgraded the Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bombs (GLSDB) to counter Russian jamming and is set to reintroduce them to the battlefield in Ukraine within days, Reuters has reported.

NATO head confirms Ukraine membership out of question

NATO membership for Kyiv is off the table in efforts by the US and Russia to achieve peace in the Ukraine conflict, the bloc’s Secretary General Mark Rutte has confirmed.

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