Politics
Merz proposed granting Ukraine the status of an associate member of the EU
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has proposed granting Ukraine the status of an ‘associate member’ of the European Union as an intermediate step towards full membership. Under his proposal, Ukraine would be able to have representation in EU institutions without the right to vote.
Rutte warned Russia of a ‘devastating’ response in the event of a nuclear strike on Ukraine
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has stated that Russia would face a ‘devastating’ response from the Alliance should it use nuclear weapons against Ukraine. Against this backdrop, NATO continues to monitor Russia’s large-scale nuclear exercises.
The Cabinet of Ministers has dismissed the deputy defence ministers and made personnel changes at the Ministry of Digital Transformation and the State Statistics Service
The Cabinet of Ministers has taken a number of personnel decisions: it has dismissed two deputy defence ministers and appointed new officials at the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the State Statistics Service and the State Agency for Geology and Mineral Resources.
Trump has stated that the US is prepared to launch further strikes against Iran should the talks break down
US President Donald Trump has stated that Washington is prepared to launch further strikes against Iran if the parties fail to reach a peace agreement. At the same time, he noted that the US may wait a few more days to receive the ‘right answers’ from Tehran.
The US conducted a test launch of a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile against the backdrop of nuclear tests in Belarus
The US Air Force has conducted a test launch of a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile without a warhead. The command stated that the test had been planned in advance and was not linked to current global events.
Marco Rubio offered Cubans a ‘new relationship’ with the US and blamed the Cuban authorities for the crisis
In an address to the people of Cuba, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the Cuban leadership was to blame for the shortages of electricity, fuel and food on the island. He also announced a proposal for a ‘new relationship’ between the US and the Cuban people.
Russia is using the families of Ukrainian prisoners of war to discredit Ukraine — Lubinets
Russia is conducting a large-scale information and psychological operation against the families of Ukrainian prisoners of war, in an attempt to use them to discredit Ukraine on the international stage.
China and Russia have once again failed to reach an agreement on the ‘Power of Siberia 2’ gas pipeline
Vladimir Putin’s visit to China did not result in any final agreements regarding the construction of the ‘Power of Siberia 2’ gas pipeline. The Kremlin has stated that the parties are still finalising certain details of the project.
In Iran, internet access has become a marker of social class and is divided into ‘three tiers’ at exorbitant prices
Iran has introduced a strict 'caste' system for internet access following an 82-day total digital blackout. Whilst officials enjoy unrestricted access to the internet, ordinary citizens are forced to purchase access via VPNs at exorbitant prices.
An elite drone unit. The media have discovered which Russian military personnel travelled to China for training
Among the Russian military personnel who took part in the secret exercises held in China in late 2025 were servicemen from ‘Rubicon’—an elite UAV centre.
The US Army is looking for a cheaper missile for the Patriot system, costing up to $1 million
The US Army has announced that it is seeking a new, cost-effective interceptor for the Patriot system. In Washington, there is a drive to reduce the cost of intercepting drones and ballistic missiles and to speed up missile production, against a backdrop of increasing pressure on weapons stocks.
US urges Ukraine and the EU to ease restrictions on Belarusian fertilisers – Bloomberg
Washington believes that easing sanctions could help reduce Minsk’s dependence on Russia.
