EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas:

Russia can’t be trusted.

It's clear that Russia does not really want to make any kind of concessions.

What Russia wants is for Ukraine to let its guard down

EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas on Gaza:

I talked to Israeli Foreign Minister Saar.

What is happening, why are you doing this...

This is unacceptable.

China’s Ministry of State Security confirmed the espionage case of Liu, an engineer sentenced to death for leaking state secrets, reportedly including classified data on the FC-31 stealth jet, to foreign intelligence agencies.

Over six months, Liu secretly traveled to multiple countries, compromising critical defense information.

The case, long speculated on Chinese social media, has now been officially acknowledged.

Source: CCTV

Germany plans to release an additional €3 billion ($3.3 billion) in military aid for Ukraine.

Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz had previously blocked the aid.

Source: Reuters

Taiwan Begins Rapid Response Drills

Taiwan launched a five-day rapid response exercise to enhance military readiness in case China’s drills escalate into an attack.

Defense Minister Wellington Koo warned that the PLA could swiftly transition from exercises to an assault, stressing the need for constant vigilance.

The drills come as China deployed 59 warplanes and warships near Taiwan, calling it “punishment” for President Lai Ching-te’s pro-independence stance.

Source: Reuters

Trump on why he is tougher with Canada than with America's biggest adversaries:

Only because it's meant to be our 51st state.

One of the nastiest countries to deal with is Canada.

Trudeau's people were nasty.

Russia's Medvedev:

Putin-Trump call confirmed a classic idea: Russia and America dine, others are on the menu.

Brussels sprouts, British fish & chips, Paris rooster for starters—main course? Kiev-style cutlet. Bon appétit!

NEW: After Putin-Trump talks, Russian Armed Forces received an order from Putin to halt strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Russian MoD:

At the time, seven Russian drones were airborne, targeting energy facilities in Mykolaiv linked to the defense industry.

Russian air defense was ordered to neutralize the drones , six of them were shot down by Pantsir, one by a Russian jet.

Trump and his inner circle, including Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner, Witkoff and Tucker Carlson, have been engaging with Ukrainian opposition figures behind the scenes.

The goal appears to be engineering early elections that could push President Volodymyr Zelensky out of power.

Source: Politico

Zelensky:

After Putin’s call with Trump, Russia struck energy infrastructure, hospitals, and transportation, launching 150 drones.

Putin’s words do not match reality.

Zelensky:

Ukraine will not recognize occupied territories as Russian, this is a ‘red line’.

Zelensky:

We will definitely win this war. Today, I will have a call with Trump.

Zelensky:

Without US intelligence, we will lose accuracy regarding the Russian ballistic missile flight, but we have our own intelligence capabilities.

Zelensky:

If Russia stops hitting our targets, we will definitely stop hitting their targets.

Finnish President Stubb:

If you show weakness to the Russians, they will definitely take advantage of it.

Kremlin:

Putin and Trump understand and trust each other well.

Putin:

Russian troops are completing the defeat of the Ukrainian Armed Forces group in the Kursk region.

Putin:

All Ukrainian military personnel and especially foreign mercenaries in the Kursk region are terrorists.

Congo has offered US access to critical minerals in return for military support.

Source: WSJ

Trump's envoy Witkoff:

I trust Putin is operating in good faith.