Vladimir Putin
2nd and 4th President of Russia (2000-2008, 2012-present), 7th and 11th Prime Minister of Russia (1999-2000, 2008-2012), Director of the Federal Security Service (1998-1999) and Deputy Mayor of Saint Petersburg (1994-1996)
- 11h ago
EU and Ukraine sign joint drone manufacturing pact; Zelenskiy says output will double to 20 million per year
The accord, signed during Ukraine's independence celebrations, aims to marry Kyiv's combat-proven drone know-how with Europe's industrial scale, starting with joint production by year-end and anti-ballistic missiles by 2028.
- 15h ago
US launches new airstrikes on Iran and threatens to destroy power plants and bridges if no deal, as Iran hits US bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan
The US launched a fourth night of airstrikes on Iran and reinstated a naval blockade as President Trump warned of attacks on Iran’s power plants and bridges if no deal is reached. Iran retaliated by hitting US bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan and threatened to shut more energy export routes.
- 18h ago
Zelenskiy dismisses popular defence minister Fedorov, sparking rare wartime protests across Ukraine
President Zelenskiy removed the reformist minister after just six months, citing a need for greater unity with military leaders. Thousands rallied in Kyiv and other cities, and a senior air force commander resigned in protest.
- yesterday
Lithuania warns Russia is planning kinetic attacks on critical infrastructure in Poland and the Baltics
Intelligence from multiple NATO allies points to Russian plans for selective attacks on critical energy and transport infrastructure, with Vilnius boosting security and the Kremlin dismissing the warnings as 'scare stories'.
- 2d ago
Macron's final Bastille Day parade showcases European rearmament with 6,800 troops and Ukrainian soldiers on the Champs-Élysées
President Emmanuel Macron presided over his tenth and final 14 July military parade on Tuesday, transforming the Champs-Élysées into a display of European military cohesion with 6,800 soldiers, 500 foreign troops from 35 nations, and 25 Ukrainian service members marching alongside French forces.
- 2d ago
Czarnek calls for halt to EU Ukraine funding; PiS dismisses rift as media spin
Warsaw’s ruling Civic Coalition and the Left slammed PiS vice-president Przemysław Czarnek after he urged the EU to stop funding Ukraine’s arms and reconstruction. Party leaders said the row is resolved and Czarnek remains their candidate for prime minister.
- 2d ago
Coalition of the willing to hold first military exercise in Poland this September, without Germany
French and British troops will train alongside Polish forces in September 2026 as the coalition of the willing prepares to deploy to Ukraine after a ceasefire. Germany will sit out the exercise.
- 3d ago
WA denies reported Russian spy hub, plans tighter intel coordination
A New York Times investigation has revealed that dozens of Russian intelligence operatives expelled from Europe are now active in Japan, exploiting weak espionage laws to feed Moscow's war effort in Ukraine.
- 3d ago
Rubio vows to 'dismantle the ICC brick by brick' as US launches whole-of-government campaign against the Hague court
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a State Department campaign on Monday, 13 July 2026, aiming to 'systematically disable' the International Criminal Court, accusing the Hague-based tribunal of waging a 'war' on American sovereignty through international law.
- 3d ago
Macron's final Bastille Day parade showcases 500 coalition troops, 35 nations in a display of European rearmament
Some 6,500 to 6,800 soldiers, including 500 from the Coalition of the Willing and 25 Ukrainians, marched down the Champs-Élysées as President Macron used his final national day parade to signal Europe's strategic awakening and readiness to defend itself.
- 3d ago
EU imports record 9.97 million tonnes of Russian LNG from Yamal plant ahead of 2027 ban
European Union countries imported 136 cargoes from Russia's Yamal LNG facility in the first half of 2026, a 16% volume increase over the same period last year, absorbing more than 97% of the plant's output.
- 4d ago
Ukraine’s drone blitz hits 90 Russian vessels in Sea of Azov, forcing suspension of navigation
Ukrainian drones have damaged around 90 vessels in the Sea of Azov in under a week, including tankers, ferries and dry cargo ships, forcing Russia to suspend navigation through the Don-Azov channel and disrupting traffic in the Kerch Strait.
- 4d ago
Darline Graham sworn in as US senator after Lindsey Graham's sudden death, raising questions over Ukraine sanctions bill
Darline Graham Nordone, 62, a political novice, was sworn in Tuesday as South Carolina's first female senator, just days after her brother Lindsey Graham, 71, died suddenly of an aortic tear while pushing for Russia sanctions.
- 6d ago
Conte's 'constructed Russian threat' remark at Naples rally triggers coalition rift and NATO rebuttal
The M5S leader told a joint opposition rally in Naples on 8 July that the Russian threat is 'constructed' to justify rearmament, prompting Elly Schlein's private rebuke, a formal NATO spokesperson denial, and sharp exchanges on Italian television.
- 6d ago
Ukraine strikes Russian oil facilities as Zelensky pushes for Patriot production licence after Ankara summit
Ukrainian drones hit the Ilsky refinery and Taganrog port overnight, while Zelensky says Patriot missiles are days away and presses for a production licence agreed at the NATO summit in Ankara.
- 6d ago
Spahn proposes stripping Thuringia AfD leader Höcke of voting rights instead of party ban
CDU parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn suggested a targeted legal procedure to revoke the active and passive voting rights of Thuringia's AfD chief Björn Höcke, calling it a more practical step than a full party ban.
- 6d ago
Kremlin says intensified Ukrainian strikes will prolong the war, rejecting Trump's call for escalation
The Kremlin said Thursday that intensified Ukrainian drone strikes will only extend the war, pushing back against President Trump's suggestion that escalation could force Moscow to negotiate.
- Jul 9
Putin rejects peace talks, considers strikes on NATO bases in Baltic states and Romania
Three sources close to the Kremlin say Vladimir Putin is rejecting peace overtures and is likely to escalate the war in Ukraine, with a former defence official warning of possible strikes on NATO bases in the Baltic states and Romania.
- Jul 9
Russia bans diesel exports after Ukrainian drone strikes fuel shortages
Moscow halted diesel exports until the end of July to stabilize domestic supplies after drone attacks on refineries, sending global prices sharply higher.
- Jul 9
Germany to buy US Tomahawk cruise missiles after NATO summit deal, closing a strategic gap in European defence
Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced the purchase on 9 July, a day after the NATO summit in Ankara, as Washington pushes Europeans to pay for their own security.
