Ukrainian presidential official says at least eight energy facilities have been attacked by Russia since March 18, despite Moscow’s claim that it had halted strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

BIG: U.S. officials have privately assured European allies that President Trump supports NATO, won’t withdraw nuclear weapons from Europe, and remains committed to collective defense.

Source: NYT

Sweden plans to raise its defense spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2030, a sharper increase than previously planned.

Defense spending is currently projected at 2.4% in 2024 and 2.6% by 2028, but rising threats and U.S. pressure have prompted a faster ramp-up.

Secretive Chinese Network Targets Fired U.S. Officials

A covert Chinese-linked network has been trying to recruit recently laid-off U.S. federal workers, according to research by Max Lesser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

The campaign reportedly focused on officials affected by job cuts under President Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.

Four shadowy firms with ties to Chinese tech company Smiao Intelligence posted job ads on Craigslist and LinkedIn—many later deleted.

Investigators found fake addresses and disconnected numbers, making the firms hard to trace.

Analysts warn the network uses methods resembling Chinese intelligence operations, aiming to exploit financially vulnerable ex-officials.

The Chinese embassy denied knowledge, while the White House warned of potential espionage risks. It remains unclear if anyone has been successfully recruited.

Source: Reuters

EU Commission spokesperson says the “unconditional withdrawal” of Russian military forces from Ukraine would be one of the main preconditions for amending or lifting sanctions.

Source: Reuters

Sudan's Army Commander:

The Rapid Support Forces have been defeated — they did not withdraw voluntarily.

The battles will not stop — we are continuing toward Darfur and Kordofan.

Spain, Italy, and France Oppose EU Defense Loan Plan

Spain, Italy, and France are pushing back against the European Commission’s €150 billion defense loan proposal, fearing it would worsen national debt.

The plan, championed by Ursula von der Leyen, aims to boost defense spending and arms production—especially for Ukraine—through conditional EU loans.

In response to criticism, the Commission rebranded the initiative from “Rearm Europe” to “Readiness 2030.”

Source: Politico

BREAKING: The Atlantic has published detailed attack plans shared by Trump advisers in a Signal group chat.

Trump's envoy Witkoff in the Signal group chat:

🙏🙏💪🇺🇸🇺🇸

Hegseth on Signal chat:

We are currently clean on OPSEC.

JD Vance:

I will say a prayer for victory.

Waltz: VP. building collapsed. Had multiple positive ID. Pete, Kurilla, the IC, amazing job.

JD Vance: What?

Waltz: Typing too fast. The first target – their top missile guy – we had positive ID of him walking into his girlfriend’s building and it’s now collapsed.

JD Vance: Excellent

Michael Waltz: 👊🇺🇸🔥

US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz on the Signalgate:

No locations.

No sources & methods.

NO WAR PLANS.

Trump on Greenland:

We have to have it. We need it for international security. I don't think the people of Greenland are uneager.

JD Vance on Signalgate:

The Atlantic oversold the story.

NATO Secretary General Rutte:

If anyone thinks they can get away with an attack on Poland or on any other ally, they’ll be met with the full force of NATO. Our reaction will be devastating. This has to be very clear to Putin and anyone else who wants to attack us.

U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard:

It was a mistake that reporter was added to the Signal chat.

Europe has changed its mind about sending its peacekeepers to Ukraine. Now the EU is actively considering other security guarantees.

Source: Reuters

Four American soldiers have gone missing in Lithuania during training, the U.S. embassy in Vilnius announced on Wednesday.

Lithuania's military and police are searching for them together with the American military.