Hello,

Marco Rubio said the United States remains committed to the transatlantic partnership despite policy disagreements, and European officials criticised President Trump’s Gaza Board of Peace over its structure and scope.

These developments come as Viktor Orbán warned Hungary should fear the European Union more than Russia before April elections, and Bangladesh’s opposition secured a large election victory amid claims of irregularities.

Read more below ⤵️

Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇺🇸🇪🇺 Rubio says US and Europe ‘belong together’: Marco Rubio reassured allies the United States does not plan to abandon the transatlantic partnership despite criticising European immigration, trade and climate policies, while calling for higher defence spending. European leaders welcomed the tone but tensions and policy differences remained evident.

2️⃣ 🇺🇸🇻🇪 US boards sanctioned tanker after fleeing Venezuela: US forces boarded the Veronica III in the Indian Ocean after tracking it from the Caribbean as part of efforts to enforce sanctions on Venezuelan oil shipments. Officials said the vessel tried to evade a quarantine and carried nearly two million barrels, though it was unclear if it was formally seized.

3️⃣ 🇺🇸🇺🇦 Zelensky says US pushes Kyiv on concessions: Volodymyr Zelensky said Washington too often presses Ukraine rather than Russia to make compromises ahead of new peace talks, while urging stronger security guarantees and greater European involvement. He also said Russian demands and delegation changes suggest delays, leaving the outcome uncertain.

4️⃣ 🇪🇺🇺🇸 EU criticises Trump’s Gaza ‘Board of Peace’: European officials said the initiative bypasses the UN-backed mandate and excludes key provisions and stakeholders, raising concerns over its structure and purpose. Plans for reconstruction and a stabilisation force were discussed, though ceasefire conditions and implementation remain unclear.

5️⃣ 🇺🇸🇮🇷 Trump backs regime change as attack plans reported: Donald Trump said regime change in Iran “would be the best thing” as officials reportedly prepared for possible sustained military operations and deployed additional forces to the region. The developments come amid stalled diplomacy, with the scale and outcome of any action uncertain.

Major Story

🇪🇺 Von der Leyen pushes EU defence shift:

Ursula von der Leyen challenged remarks by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that Europe cannot guarantee its own security without the United States, arguing the situation is more complex and urging progress on activating the EU’s mutual defence commitments.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, she called for stronger cooperation, faster decision-making, and closer partnerships with countries including the UK, Norway, Iceland, and Canada, while noting defence spending in Europe has risen significantly since Russia’s war against Ukraine.

She highlighted Article 42.7 of the EU treaties, which obliges member states to assist one another if attacked and has only been invoked once, and said its credibility depends on trust and capability.

Rutte had previously warned European lawmakers that the continent could not defend itself without US backing, citing the costs of dramatically increased spending and the loss of the US nuclear umbrella.

Von der Leyen also argued Europe must become more self-reliant beyond defence, including in energy and technology, and said the EU would maintain its digital rules despite external pressure.

Other News

1️⃣ 🇭🇺🇪🇺 Orban says EU bigger threat than Russia: Viktor Orban warned Hungary should fear the European Union more than Moscow ahead of April elections, pledging to remove what he described as foreign influence and framing the vote as a choice between “war or peace”. Polls cited show the opposition leading as campaign rhetoric intensifies.

2️⃣ 🇮🇷🇺🇸 Iran signals readiness for nuclear compromises: Tehran said it is willing to consider limits on enriched uranium if sanctions relief is discussed, with recent talks described as positive but inconclusive and more negotiations planned. Officials pointed to mixed US messaging and warned conflict would have severe consequences.

3️⃣ 🇺🇦 Ukraine ex-energy minister detained at border: Authorities arrested former energy minister German Galushchenko while he attempted to leave the country as part of a corruption investigation tied to an alleged $100m scheme. Proceedings are ongoing and several figures linked to the case have denied wrongdoing.

4️⃣ 🇧🇩 Bangladesh opposition wins landmark election: The BNP secured 212 seats in the first vote since Sheikh Hasina’s overthrow, with turnout higher and polling described as largely peaceful. Rivals alleged irregularities in some races, and the new government faces major challenges restoring institutions and stability.

5️⃣ 🇺🇦🇷🇺 Ukrainian drones hit Russian oil terminal: Kyiv said it struck the Tamanneftegaz facility in Krasnodar, causing fires and damage, while Russian officials reported injuries and said many drones were intercepted. The strike came as attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid left buildings without heat, with battlefield claims unverified.

6️⃣ 🇺🇸 Pentagon weighs cutting Anthropic over AI limits: The US military is considering ending its partnership with the firm after disputes over restrictions on uses such as mass surveillance and autonomous weapons. Tensions rose over possible operational use in Venezuela, though Anthropic denied involvement and talks continue.

7️⃣ 🇫🇷 Macron urges calm after fatal Lyon attack: A 23-year-old man died after being assaulted near a political event, prompting an aggravated manslaughter investigation as suspects remain unidentified. Politicians traded accusations and related tensions led to vandalism of La France Insoumise offices.

8️⃣ 🇨🇴 Colombia to probe rebels’ alleged drug links: President Gustavo Petro agreed to an ELN proposal for an independent commission to investigate claims the group is tied to drug trafficking, with findings to be reported to the UN. The issue has blocked peace talks and it remains unclear if the move will revive negotiations.

Weekly Updates?

Want weekly updates as well as daily?

Subscribe to our sister publication Geopolitics Weekly here ⤵️

Our Shop

Ukraine Phone Wallpaper Pack