Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu's counterpart from Croatia, Gordan Grlić Radman, is set to visit Turkey for a meeting with Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan. The two ministers will discuss regional and global developments, particularly in the Balkan region, as well as cooperation between their countries within NATO and the EU. Fidan is expected to highlight Turkey's commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region, while also discussing efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, and situations in Gaza and Syria. The meeting will also touch on defense industry cooperation, including a recent deal between Croatia and Turkish company Baykar, which marks the first direct supply from Turkey to Croatia.
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/croatian-top-diplomat-due-in-ankara-for-talks-with-fidan-206550The article discusses the implications of NATO nuclear sharing on the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and its potential impact on European countries like Germany. The NPT prohibits new countries from developing nuclear weapons, but it does not explicitly address NATO nuclear sharing. Key points: 1. NATO members argue that nuclear sharing does not violate the NPT because the weapons remain under U.S. control in peacetime. 2. Critics argue that stationing French or British nuclear weapons in Germany would stretch the limits of the NPT and potentially violate its spirit or articles. 3. Russia's recent deployment of nuclear weapons to Belarus has sparked debate over the implications for the treaty. 4. Any change in Europe's nuclear posture could trigger additional ripple effects, such as other regional powers strengthening their own extended deterrence arrangements or pursuing independent nuclear arsenals. To foster meaningful discussions on nuclear deterrence, Germany and other European countries can: 1. Engage with the United States within the NATO framework to request additional information on Washington's strategy regarding extended deterrence. 2. Suggest addressing U.S. expectations regarding European involvement in reinforcing NATO's conventional posture. 3. Open bilateral dialogues with France and the United Kingdom regarding their nuclear contributions. 4. Raise public awareness about the importance of nuclear deterrence in Europe's defense. By taking these steps, Germany can enhance solidarity within Europe, foster a sense of shared responsibility among NATO members, and build a stronger European voice on nuclear deterrence issues.
https://www.csis.org/analysis/can-france-and-united-kingdom-replace-us-nuclear-umbrellaMost Americans' foreign policy views remain largely unchanged since President Donald Trump's first term in 2017, with preventing terrorism, stopping nuclear proliferation, and securing energy supplies being top priorities. A Gallup survey found that 76% of Americans believe the NATO alliance should be maintained, despite some partisan differences on its importance. The majority of Americans see foreign trade as an opportunity for economic growth, with 81% viewing it positively, including 78% of Republicans and 86% of Democrats.
https://krcgtv.com/news/nation-world/bipartisan-support-for-foreign-trade-seen-as-economic-opportunity-despite-tariff-debates-gallup-surveys-americans-on-foreign-policy-priorities#Romania has expelled two military diplomats from the Russian embassy, Victor Makovskiy and Evgeni Ignatiev, over alleged activities that contravene diplomatic relations. This decision was made by Romania's Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu during a meeting with the head of the Russian embassy. The expulsions come amid tensions between Russia and Romania, which is an EU and NATO member country. The move follows reports that Russia's SVR foreign intelligence service claimed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had asked Bucharest to bar Romanian presidential candidate Calin Georgescu from participating in the rerun election in May, citing his past praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin and negative comments about Ukraine.
https://apnews.com/article/romania-russia-diplomats-expelled-d2fffa92cef6f5c15d7f0471b31ff434The US is facing concerns about its economic power and technological innovation, with a decline in respondents believing it will remain the world's dominant economic power by 2035. A survey of 357 global experts found that nearly half (47.4%) believe China will lead an alliance with Russia, Iran, and North Korea, which may rival the G7 group consisting of the US, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the UK. The same survey predicts a 15% increase in attempts by China to invade Taiwan, with 45% of experts expecting a shooting war between Russia and NATO within the next decade.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-14430825/world-look-like-2035-experts-ww3.htmlRomania's government has allocated 2.5% of its GDP for defense, with plans to increase investments in this area. President Bolojan emphasized the need for a lasting peace in Ukraine and thanked NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte for Romania's contribution to collective defense. Rutte expressed support for strengthening NATO's presence in the Black Sea region, while also highlighting the importance of increased defense spending by European allies like Romania.
https://www.actmedia.eu/daily/in-phone-talk-with-president-bolojan-mark-rutte-reaffirms-nato-s-and-u.s.-commitment-to-article-5/112788Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte thanked Romania for its contribution to NATO security, welcoming the country's increased defense budget. He reaffirmed NATO's commitment to collective defense and Article 5, emphasizing the importance of transatlantic ties and US military presence in Europe. The Romanian presidency stated that Romania allocates 2.5% of GDP to defense and is ready to increase investments. Rutte also stressed the need for other European allies to follow suit, as NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg highly appreciated Romania's role in stabilizing the Black Sea region.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/954024-romania-reaffirms-its-commitment-to-nato-and-the-security-of-the-eastern-flankUS President Donald Trump's decision to halt aid to Ukraine has sparked fears in Kyiv and European capitals that America is pivoting away from its allies towards Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had instructed his defence and intelligence chiefs to contact US counterparts for official information on the aid freeze, which Moscow hailed as a "solution" to push the Kyiv regime into a peace process. The European Union has scrambled to bolster support for Ukraine, with French President Emmanuel Macron praising Zelensky's willingness to engage in dialogue with Trump. Germany's next chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz supports an immediate approval of a three-billion-euro Ukraine aid package, while Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk noted that the US decision was made without consulting NATO allies. The pause in aid has impacted hundreds of millions of dollars of weaponry and is seen as a betrayal by ordinary Ukrainians, who view it as a "stab in the back".
https://www.geo.tv/latest/593792-zelensky-say-he-wants-to-make-things-right-with-trump-after-aid-haltThe NATO coalition is weakening as US President Donald Trump criticizes the UK-led 'coalition of the willing' for relying on an American backstop in Ukraine's conflict. French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met at Lancaster House, where French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot proposed a limited ceasefire that would allow Western forces to assess Russian President Vladimir Putin's intentions. The US has asked the State and Treasury departments to draft a list of sanctions that could be eased for talks with Russia, potentially indicating a willingness to support a peace deal on European terms rather than Russia's.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14457585/NATO-split-deepens-Trump-accuses-Coalition-Willing-weakness.html