U.S. Warns Hungary on Growing China Ties

The top U.S. diplomat in Budapest urged Hungary to show “vigilance” over deepening Chinese investments, cautioning that they may clash with U.S. strategic interests.

“China poses a strategic challenge to the United States and our allies,” said Chargé d’Affaires Robert Palladino.

Hungary has drawn 44% of China’s recent European investments, including deals with EV giants CATL and BYD, and a new Huawei-linked cloud project.

Source: Bloomberg

China’s Defence Ministry:

‘Wanton use of force’ will not make America great again.

Pentagon officials recently questioned an ally about continuing arms supplies to Ukraine—an inquiry that was brushed off.

Some Trump aides reportedly express being “fed up” with Europe’s Ukraine support.

Source: The Economist

Israel and Türkiye are holding quiet backchannel talks to avoid military friction in Syria, senior officials in Israel confirm.

“It’s important to maintain the mechanism that will prevent a confrontation that neither side wants,” said an Israeli official.

Another warned:

“Any change in foreign force deployment—especially Turkish bases—would be a red line.”

Source: Maariv

Nvidia Hit by U.S. Ban on AI Chip Sales to China

The U.S. has indefinitely banned Nvidia from selling H20 AI chips to China without a license.

Nvidia expects up to $5.5 billion in losses from unsellable inventory and contract obligations.

NEW: Ukraine’s parliament extends martial law and mobilization from May 9 to August 6.

Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammed Al-Sudani:

I have extended an invitation to the Syrian President to attend the Arab Summit in Baghdad.

Israeli Defense Minister:

The army is not withdrawing from areas that are being cleared and controlled in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Defense Minister Katz:

Israel’s policy is clear—no humanitarian aid will enter Gaza.

NEW: Greece unveiled its official Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) map.

The plan grants full maritime rights to all Aegean islands—including Kastellorizo, just 2 km off the Turkish coast—raising renewed diplomatic concerns in Ankara.

Greece claims full maritime rights for even its smallest islands like Kastellorizo (Meis), just 2 km from Türkiye’s coast. Based on UNCLOS, Athens argues it can claim up to 40,000 sq km of maritime zone due to the island.

Türkiye calls this “irrational and maximalist,” arguing equity should override strict distance rules when an island is far from its mainland but extremely close to another country’s coast.

Germany and others have echoed concerns over “maximalist” Greek claims.

Türkiye releases its own Marine Spatial Planning Map (MSP) following Greece.

China Sets Conditions Before Trade Talks With Trump

Beijing is demanding several actions from the Trump administration before agreeing to resume trade talks, including:

Respectful rhetoric: Chinese officials want Trump’s cabinet to stop making disparaging remarks. Chinese officials say respect is the key condition for restarting trade talks.

Policy consistency: They seek a clearer, more unified U.S. position on issues like sanctions and Taiwan.

Dedicated envoy: China expects a U.S. negotiator with Trump’s full backing to prepare a potential agreement with Xi Jinping.

“China wants someone with real authority to negotiate, not just backchannel noise,” said a person familiar with Beijing’s stance.

Source: Bloomberg

Israel First: The U.S. has launched a major military airlift to Israel, delivering precision weapons and air defense systems to restock emergency supplies and prepare for potential conflict with Iran.

Included in the shipments:

JDAM kits to convert bombs into precision-guided weapons.
1,000–1,500 kg bunker-buster bombs.
Flares and countermeasures for aircraft defense.
THAAD missile systems for intercepting ballistic threats.

“The supplies were ordered to refill emergency stockpiles,” said a senior defense industry source.

Source: Maariv

French PM François Bayrou on "U.S. betrayal of the democratic world":

The president of the United States has started a hurricane whose consequences will not end any time soon.

As if war weren’t enough, a tsunami of destabilisation came to shake up the planet.

The world has witnessed a reversal of alliances that no one could have imagined.

NEW: Chinese government officials are considering asking Airbus to supply any new jets with an extra set of engines after ordering its airlines to stop accepting new Boeing aircraft.

Source: Bloomberg

Russia Seeks Boeing Jets Post-Ceasefire Using Frozen Assets

Russia has informally asked the U.S. to allow the purchase of Boeing aircraft using part of its frozen state assets—if a ceasefire is reached in Ukraine.

The request isn’t a condition for peace, but Moscow recognizes the funds can’t be accessed without halting the war.

Roughly $280 billion in Russian central bank reserves remain frozen globally, including $5 billion in the U.S. Boeing and the State Department declined to comment.

Source: Bloomberg

US to EU: Pick Us or China

The U.S. is pressuring the EU to cut economic ties with China as a condition for a future trade deal and tariff relief.

The overall US strategy is to decouple from China, and any country who wishes to have a trade deal with the US will also have to distance itself from Beijing.

Source: The Irish Times

US Lawmakers Plan Rare Visit to Syria

A bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation is expected to visit Syria in the coming days, according to American sources cited by Al-Modon.

The visit aims to assess the current situation on the ground, explore humanitarian needs, and potentially discuss easing U.S. sanctions on Damascus.

Source: SANA

Chinese TikTok is now lashing out at J.D. Vance after he referred to them as “peasants”.

Chinese Envoy to Spain:

Beijing wants to be a partner, not a competitor, to the European Union.