π¨ πΊπ²π·πΊ American actor Steven Seagal:
I think and I've said this before that President Putin is the greatest world leader we have. That's my humble opinion, and I have the right to an opinion.
I think that Zelenskyy is not really any different than he was when he started out. That means he's an actor.
President Trump has his own style and his style keeps evolving.
Source: Die Weltwoche
π¨ πͺπΊπ·πΊ Kaja Kallas:
We need to increase the pressure to stop it and help Ukraine so Russia comes to the negotiating table.
We have a window of opportunity because Ukraine is in a stronger position than before, while Russia is in a weaker position.
We need to accept this short-term pain for a long-term gain.
π¨ π·πΊ Vladimir Putin says helping children learn how to navigate the world, build and maintain relationships with others is crucial:
"What could be more important than a childβs soul, what could be more important than shaping their views on life, their relationship with society and people, what could be more important than the relationship of the younger generation with their parents, their grandparents, them respecting the sacrifices they make for them, for their future children, for their grandchildren?"
Source: Tass
π¨ πΊπ² President Trump backed Darline Graham Nordone, sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, to serve as South Carolina's interim U.S. senator.
π¨ πͺπΊ EU says claims that it is introducing an "internet passport" to control or censor internet access are false. The planned system is an age-verification app for age-restricted online services, not a passport for general internet access.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the app will allow users to "prove their age without revealing any other personal information" and that "users cannot be tracked."
Source: Euronews
π¨ π·πΊπͺπΊ Putin said the βcollective Westβ is fighting Russia, added that Moscow is strengthening its economy, military and defense industry while its forces continue advancing toward victory:
"Russophobic part of the so-called collective West is fighting against us, yet we continue to develop our economy, strengthen our finances, improve our armed forces, achieve new results in the defense industry, and move forward. Our boysβour fightersβkeep advancing. Victory undoubtedly awaits us."
π¨ NATOβs Ankara summit highlighted a major shift in the alliance. European countries are facing pressure to increase defence spending and take more responsibility for their own security as questions grow over Americaβs long-term role in Europe, β FP. 1/6
The future of NATO may depend on finding a new balance: a Europe that can do more for its own security while keeping the strength of the transatlantic alliance with the United States, β FP. 6/6
π¨ π±πΊ Luxembourg's prime minister wants NATO countries to share more military equipment and focus on different strengths instead of doing everything.
"We need more specialisation and more pooling of assets among allies. Not every country can do everything," said PM Luc Frieden.
He argued that NATO members should divide responsibilities and share resources instead of all trying to maintain the same military capabilities.
Source: Euractiv
π¨ π΅π±π·πΊ Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski mocked Russia, saying Putin now has only the "second strongest army" in Ukraine:
βWe used to think Putin had the second strongest army in the world. Today, it can be said that he has the second strongest army in Ukraine.β
π¨ πͺπΊπ·πΊ The EU has sanctioned Russian intelligence officers and other suspects accused of running a cyber spying campaign that allegedly targeted European countries for years.
π¨ πͺπΊπ·πΊ Kaja Kallas: "We are hoping to get 250 listings agreed. We are also working on the 21st sanctions package. This is the biggest number of listings we have done so far. It's also a reaction to Russia's recent attacks on civilians."