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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has hit back at US President Donald Trump after he claimed she 'begged' for a photo at the G7 summit, calling his comments 'completely fabricated' and 'senseless'. The dispute has led to the cancellation of a planned US visit by Italy's foreign minister and highlights a growing rift between the two leaders.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has accused US President Donald Trump of inventing a story that she begged him for a photo at the G7 summit. The dispute has led Italy's foreign minister to cancel a US visit, highlighting a rift between the two leaders.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov dismissed European calls for negotiations as unserious, accusing the West of using dialogue as a cover for expansion. He also detailed Russia's past proposals to Ukraine for higher-level talks, which he said Kyiv abandoned last fall.
Libya's top governing bodies have agreed on a roadmap for holding presidential and parliamentary elections by February 17, 2027, according to a joint statement. The UN-backed plan faces challenges, including a rival US initiative backed by the Libyan National Army.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a review of US military presence in Europe at a NATO meeting in Brussels on Thursday, criticizing allies for insufficient defense spending and lack of support during the Iran conflict. Hegseth also indicated that US dues to NATO would become conditional on allies meeting spending targets. The review has raised questions about the future of the US commitment to European defense, with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte downplaying concerns.
Israel Aerospace Industries CEO Boaz Levy said Israel expects to counter Hezbollah's explosive drones within weeks, as France barred Israeli firms from displaying offensive weapons at the Eurosatory defense show in Paris. Levy criticized the French decision, linking it to historical embargoes that spurred Israel's indigenous arms industry. Meanwhile, the 2026 Eurosatory exhibition highlighted drones, robotics, and AI, amid a European rearmament push following NATO's pledge to invest 5% of GDP in defense by 2035.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a six-month review of US military presence in Europe, criticizing NATO allies for insufficient defense spending and for restricting US forces during the Iran war. He warned that US contributions to NATO's budget would be reduced if allies fail to meet spending targets, while NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte noted European allies have already increased spending significantly.
The US and Iran have agreed to an interim ceasefire framework brokered with Pakistan's help, creating a 60-day window for negotiations. Analysts say the deal has shifted West Asian security dynamics and opened strategic opportunities — and risks — for Pakistan, which has earned international praise for its mediating role.
US President Donald Trump has criticized Israel's military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon and suggested that Syria under President Ahmed al-Sharaa could take on the group more effectively. Syrian officials have denied any intent for military intervention while expressing openness to talks, as Israeli and regional figures voice concerns over the proposal.
US President Donald Trump joined French President Emmanuel Macron for a private dinner at the Palace of Versailles, marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. The event drew both praise and criticism in France, reflecting tensions over Trump's policies and style.
A senior US official has read out the text of a 14-point memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran, outlining an immediate end to military operations, the lifting of the naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, and the start of 60-day negotiations on a final deal. The agreement, set to be signed in Switzerland, also includes commitments on nuclear non-proliferation and a $300 billion reconstruction plan.
After the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that member countries agreed to increase deliveries of air defense systems, interceptors, and long-range weapons to Ukraine. The summit also discussed licensed military production in Ukraine, while US President Donald Trump commented on the scale of past US aid.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte reaffirmed US commitment to the alliance despite reductions in US contributions to NATO's force model, urging European allies to 'backfill' the gap. He outlined plans for a 'stronger European-led NATO' with Europeans assuming more responsibility in Europe and Ukraine.
A $300 billion fund to rebuild Iran is central to the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, but details on who will contribute remain unclear. US officials have distanced Washington from direct financial involvement, while reports suggest private investors and Gulf states may play a key role.
As Armenia prepares to host the Eagle Partner 2026 drills with the US, France, and Greece, a military expert tells TASS that NATO countries are seeking to turn Armenia into an outpost in the South Caucasus, highlighting deepening military-technical cooperation with France.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticized German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and European nations over Ukraine, accusing them of Nazi-style behavior and double standards. Wadephul, in turn, reaffirmed Germany's commitment to NATO and Ukraine, calling Russia the aggressor.
Semyon Skrepetsky, a Russian artist known for satirizing Vladimir Putin, was shot dead in eastern Poland. Polish authorities have detained two Belarusian nationals and later a suspect using a Georgian passport. Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the killing a likely political murder.
Germany and Poland mark 35 years since the Treaty on Good Neighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation, a pact that helped overcome decades of enmity. Recent defence agreements and shared responses to the Ukraine war are bringing the two nations closer.
TASS reviews Russian press coverage of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, which aims to end hostilities in the Middle East and restore navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Experts quoted in the Russian press express cautious optimism but warn of fragility, while also noting Europe's perceived attempts to derail Ukraine peace talks and falling oil prices amid hopes for de-escalation.
Israel anticipates additional European orders for its air and missile defense systems, driven by Russia-related security concerns. Swiss moves to accelerate its own air defense, including resumed Patriot payments, also point to renewed European interest in such capabilities.