Politics
Off the coast of Istad, the coastguard stopped a tanker linked to Russia’s shadow fleet
On the morning of 3 April, the Swedish Coast Guard detained a vessel off the coast of Ystad that is suspected of being involved in an oil spill in the Baltic Sea. The vessel in question is the tanker Flora 1, which is on the EU sanctions list and bears the hallmarks of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet.
‘The realisation of Putin’s dream’. Following the Democrats, Republicans in the Senate have spoken out against the US potentially leaving NATO
Republican Senators Mitch McConnell and Tom Tillis have publicly spoken out against the possibility of the US withdrawing from NATO. They stated that such a move could harm the country’s national security and would require congressional approval.
The Danish Prime Minister has publicly called on Trump to stop making threats regarding Greenland
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has publicly called on Donald Trump to stop making threats regarding Greenland following his latest comments that the US should “take over” the island for security reasons. Against this backdrop, Sweden has reaffirmed its full support for Denmark and Greenland.
A French container ship was the first European vessel to pass through the Strait of Hormuz
The vessel’s passage took place against the backdrop of Tehran’s attempts to introduce a toll system for transit through this strategically important waterway.
The US Secretary of Defence has asked the Chief of Staff of the US Army to step down — media reports
US Defence Secretary Pete Hagseth has asked the Chief of Staff of the US Army, General Randy George, and two other military leaders to resign immediately.
Zelenskyy spoke of risks to arms supplies, new threats to infrastructure and work on security guarantees
Speaking to journalists, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy outlined the key challenges facing Ukraine in the areas of defence, diplomacy and financing. He discussed US military aid, the threat of further Russian attacks, the negotiation process, security guarantees and cooperation with countries in the Middle East.
RFI has reported the presence of Ukrainian military personnel in western Libya
More than 200 Ukrainian military personnel and experts may be stationed in western Libya. According to sources, their presence is linked to an agreement with the government in Tripoli.
Ukraine has submitted a request to the US for an Easter truce — Zelenskyy
Ukraine has submitted a request to the US for an Easter ceasefire, but it is not known whether the Russians will receive it.
Will Trump be able to withdraw the US from NATO?
US President Donald Trump has stated that he is considering the possibility of the country withdrawing from NATO. This stance has emerged against the backdrop of the war with Iran and a lack of support from allies.
More than 40 countries have formed a coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz
The UK Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, has stated that the more than 40 countries that have joined the talks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz are prepared to resolve the issue “economically and diplomatically”.
Russia has attacked at least 19 countries over the centuries – Kaya Kallas
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, stated that over the past 100 years, Russia has carried out at least 19 attacks on other countries. She emphasised that none of these countries had attacked Russia.
The EU is considering fuel rationing as it prepares for an energy crisis caused by the war in the Middle East
The European Union is preparing for a prolonged energy crisis caused by the war in the Middle East. ‘All options’ are being considered, including fuel rationing and the release of more oil from emergency reserves.
