Europe

Former British soldier sentenced to 14 years for ‘spying for Iran’

A former UK soldier who sparked a manhunt after escaping from prison before his trial has been sentenced by a court in Britain to 14 years of imprisonment for "espionage for Iran".

Talks with Ukraine, Russia ‘going pretty well’: Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that discussions involving Ukraine and Russia are making progress, though he provided few details.

Ukraine says NATO membership ‘cheapest’ security guarantee, ‘victory’ for US

NATO membership is the "cheapest" possible security guarantee for Ukraine and a chance for US President Donald Trump to score a geopolitical victory over Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated in an interview with the Associated Press.

Trump’s envoy says US wants Zelensky to hold elections in Ukraine

Washington wants Kiev to have presidential and parliamentary elections, potentially by this year’s end, Reuters has reported, citing US President Donald Trump’s special envoy for the Ukraine conflict, Keith Kellogg.

EU divided over peacekeeping forces in Ukraine: Times

The European Union remains divided over the prospect of deploying Western-led peacekeeping troops to Ukraine if a ceasefire agreement between Kyiv and Moscow is reached, The Times has reported, citing multiple military and diplomatic sources.

Iraqi man who carried out several Quran burnings in Sweden killed

An Iraqi man who carried out several Quran burnings in Sweden has died, a judge in Stockholm confirmed Thursday. Swedish media reported that he was killed in a shooting.

EU not considering banning Russian LNG until it secures alternatives: Reuters

The European Commission will not propose implementing a ban on Russian liquified natural gas (LNG) imports in its upcoming sanctions package amid concern among member countries about first securing an alternative from other states, including the United States, EU diplomats have told Reuters.

Syria’s de facto leader asks Russia to hand over Assad and close aides: Reuters

Syria’s new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa requested that Russia hand over former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and his close aides during discussions with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, according to sources close to the talks.

Putin afraid of negotiations: Zelensky hits back after Russian leader labels him ‘illegitimate’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin of deliberately prolonging the war and avoiding peace negotiations.

US transfers dozens of Patriot missiles from Israel to Ukraine: Axios

The United States has transferred around 90 Patriot air defense interceptors from storage in Israel to Poland for delivery to Ukraine, sources familiar with the matter have told Axios.

EU seeking to speed up Ukraine admission negotiations: Politico

Brussels is prepared to accelerate membership talks with Kiev by opening two “clusters” of negotiations by mid-2025, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, has stated. Ukraine applied for EU membership in February 2022 and was granted formal candidate status later that year.

US judge temporarily blocks Trump’s federal aid freeze: NYT

A US federal judge has temporarily halted the Donald Trump administration’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo that sought to freeze up to $3 billion in funding for various U.S. federal aid programs, the New York Times has reported.

Putin says Zelensky lacks legitimacy to ink any agreement

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky can participate in possible talks with Moscow if he wishes to, but he lacks the legitimacy to actually sign a peace deal, Russian President Vladimir Putin has told journalist Pavel Zarubin.

Russia says special services take all measures to ensure Putin’s safety

The Russian special services are doing everything possible to ensure the safety of President Vladimir Putin, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has told reporters. American journalist and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson has claimed that the administration of former US President Joe Biden tried to assassinate the Russian leader during the Ukraine war.

Half of Ukrainians back compromise to end war with Russia: Survey

Half of Ukrainians now favor a compromise to end the conflict with Russia through peace negotiations involving international mediators, a recent poll by Ukrainian pollster Socis suggests.

UK, Germany reject Trump’s proposal of relocating Gazans in neighboring countries

The United Kingdom and Germany have refuted US President Donald Trump’s idea to “clean out” Gaza and relocate its population to other Arab nations.

EU FMs agree to prolong sanctions on Russia

European Union foreign ministers have agreed to extend the bloc’s economic sanctions on Moscow, after Hungary dropped a last-minute threat to block the extension over Ukraine’s refusal to restart the flow of Russian gas to the EU.

Ukraine predicts collapse, if peace negotiations fail to begin by summer

Ukraine's survival will be under a serious threat, if peace talks fail to begin by the summer, Kirill Budanov, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry has stated in an interview.

France says to suspend some Syria’s sanctions

France has announced that it will lift or suspend certain sanctions on Syria’s energy, transportation, and financial sectors to support the country’s economic stabilization and reconstruction efforts.

US officials seeking to unfreeze aid for Ukraine: FT

Several American diplomats have called on the US State Department to make an exception for Ukraine-related programs after President Donald Trump ordered a sweeping suspension on foreign aid, the Financial Times has reported.

EU military chief wants troops in Greenland, citing “tensions” with Russia and China

The European Union should deploy military forces in Greenland, the chairman of the EU Military Committee (EUMC), Gen. Robert Brieger, has stressed. He cited Greenland’s geopolitical importance and “tensions” with Russia and China amid US President Donald Trump’s claim to the island.

Zelensky believes Trump can end war, must include Ukraine in talks

U.S. President Donald Trump could potentially fulfill his promise to end the war in Ukraine, but only if he involves Kyiv in any discussions, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

US hits record military equipment export in 2024 on Ukraine-related demand

U.S. military equipment sales to foreign governments in 2024 surged 29% to a record $318.7 billion, the State Department has announced, as countries sought to replenish stocks sent to Ukraine and prepare for major conflicts.

US halts aid to Ukraine for 3 months: Politico

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has frozen nearly all aid grants to Ukraine for three months, Politico has reported. The move comes after President Donald Trump ordered a full review of all foreign assistance.

Kremlin says Putin ready to speak with Trump

Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to talk to his US counterpart Donald Trump, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stated. His comments came after the American president stated that he would like to meet Russia’s leader “immediately.”

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