Politics
Switzerland is strengthening its air defences
The Swiss Federal Council has decided to strengthen the country’s air defence. The government will resume payments for the American Patriot systems and, at the same time, begin negotiations on the procurement of another long-range air defence system from a different manufacturer
Germany fears a reduction in the US military presence
The possible reduction in the US military presence in Germany is already having an impact on towns where US troops have been stationed for decades. Local residents and property owners fear the economic consequences due to uncertainty over future decisions by Donald Trump’s administration
Lubinec announced an agreement with Russia regarding prisoners of war and those missing in action
Dmytro Lubinets, the Verkhovna Rada’s Human Rights Commissioner, reported on the outcome of his meeting with Yana Lantratova, Russia’s Human Rights Commissioner. The parties agreed to continue reciprocal visits to prisoners of war, the verification of prisoners, and work on lists of those missing in action
Netanyahu stated that Israeli troops would remain in Lebanon
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the conclusion of talks between Israel, Lebanon and the US, which took place in Washington. According to him, the main outcome of the agreements was the maintenance of an Israeli military presence in the security zone in southern Lebanon
A Ukrainian man has been arrested in Poland over threats made against Nawrocki
In the Polish town of Zielona Góra, police have arrested a 36-year-old Ukrainian national suspected of making threats against the President of Poland, Karol Nawrocki. According to the police, the comments were posted on an online channel
Meloni has proposed a reform of the electoral system: what will change in Italy
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has presented a bill to reform the electoral system. According to her, the proposed changes are intended to put an end to political instability and ensure that the government can serve a full five-year term
Radosław Sikorski warned of a possible Russian provocation against NATO
Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has stated that Russia may resort to provocation against one of the NATO countries in order to create a pretext for further aggression. At the same time, he said, the Alliance is ready to defend every centimetre of its territory
Sergei Ivanov, a close associate of Putin and former Russian Defence Minister, has died
Russia has announced the death of Sergei Ivanov — a former Russian Defence Minister, former head of Vladimir Putin’s administration and one of his long-standing allies. Ivanov died aged 73; the cause of death has not been officially disclosed.
At the NATO summit in Ankara, the allies plan to announce new defence agreements and support for Ukraine
NATO countries are preparing to announce multi-billion defence contracts and new commitments to support Ukraine at the summit in Ankara. The allies are also set to reaffirm their commitment to the principle of collective defence.
A former Polish defence minister is to return his medal to Ukraine. This is the second such instance among Polish politicians
Mariusz Błaszczak, Poland’s former Minister of Defence, has decided to return to Ukraine the Order of Merit, First Class, which he was awarded in 2022.
The Defence Secretary has dismissed the commander of US Army Europe ahead of schedule
US Defence Secretary Pete Hagseth has relieved General Christopher Donaghy, one of the key US military figures in Europe, of his post. He is expected to announce his early retirement.
Budanov described Poland’s decision to strip Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle as a ‘terrible mistake’
Kirill Budanov has criticised the decision by Polish President Karol Nawrocki to strip Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle. According to him, the current situation between Ukraine and Poland is not yet a conflict, but it could escalate if the parties do not back down.
