NATO
🇱🇻 NATO members await the new U.S. administration’s decision regarding Ukraine’s invitation to join the alliance, as noted by Latvia’s foreign minister.
🇺🇦 Ukraine criticizes the 30-year-old nuclear disarmament deal that promised security assurances but failed to deliver. The country is now actively seeking an invitation to join NATO.
🇺🇸 U.S. Senate confirms promotion of Army Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue, who commanded during the Afghanistan withdrawal. His promotion was briefly blocked by a Republican senator.
🇺🇦 NATO unlikely to extend a membership invitation to Ukraine at Tuesday’s meeting, according to diplomats. This comes as Kyiv seeks political support amidst ongoing battlefield struggles and the anticipation of Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House.
🇺🇦 Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has requested NATO to issue an invitation for membership during a meeting in Brussels next week, according to a letter seen by Reuters.
🇷🇺 Russia warns that cutting U.S. aid to Ukraine would be a “death sentence” for its military. The deputy U.N. ambassador claims Ukraine is attempting to escalate tensions with NATO against Russia.
🇩🇪 German intel chief warns that Russia’s hybrid attacks on Western targets heighten the risk of NATO invoking Article 5 mutual defence clause.
🇷🇴 The far-right presidential candidate in Romania, who won the first round of elections, has stated he does not intend to leave NATO or the European Union, amidst ongoing protests over his victory.
🇺🇦 NATO reaffirms support for Ukraine amid rising tensions following Russia’s launch of an experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile. Talks with Ukrainian officials emphasized commitment to Ukraine’s security.
🇬🇷 Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis calls for a stronger EU defence role and enhanced cooperation with NATO following discussions with Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
🇷🇴 Romanian coalition government supports centrist candidate in presidential run-off, amid fears of an anti-NATO candidate winning. The election could shift the country’s political landscape significantly.
🇷🇴 Calin Georgescu, a far-right outsider, leads the first round of Romania’s presidential election, surprising allies. He is critical of NATO and Ukrainian President Zelenskiy.
🇷🇴 A hard-right NATO critic who has praised Russia advances to Romania’s presidential run-off against a centre-right leader. The outcome of this election could challenge Romania’s pro-Western stance following a surprising first-round vote.
🇷🇴 Calin Georgescu, a hard-right NATO critic, ties with leftist PM Marcel Ciolacu in Romania’s presidential election first round. This unexpected outcome poses a challenge to Romania’s strong pro-Ukraine position.
🇬🇧 Britain and NATO allies must lead in the “new AI arms race,” warns UK minister Pat McFadden. He cautions that Russian cyber criminals are increasingly targeting nations supporting Ukraine.
🇹🇷 Turkish President Erdogan to meet with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday in Ankara to discuss developments in the Russia-Ukraine war.
🇨🇦 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemns violence and antisemitism at anti-NATO and pro-Palestinian protests in Montreal, where NATO delegates are gathered for the annual assembly.
🇺🇸 Senator Chris Van Hollen introduces legislation to halt US weapons sales to the UAE until it is certified that the UAE is not supplying arms to the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan.
🇷🇺 Russia warns that a new U.S. missile defense base in Poland raises nuclear danger. In response, Warsaw states that threats from Moscow reinforce the need for stronger NATO defenses.
🇺🇸 Trump nominates Matthew Whitaker as U.S. ambassador to NATO. The choice of the loyalist comes despite his limited foreign policy experience for a key role in the upcoming administration.