Poland's Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz has stated that Warsaw can serve as a "transatlantic link" between Europe and the challenges posed by US President-elect Donald Trump. In response to Trump's demand for NATO allies to spend 5% of their GDP on defence, Kosiniak-Kamysz said it will take another decade to reach this goal, but acknowledged that setting an ambitious target is necessary to prompt countries to increase their spending. Poland currently spends the most on defence at 4.12% of its GDP, followed by Estonia and the US.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/why-poland-backs-trump-on-raising-nato-spending-to-5-of-gdp-13852411.htmlSaudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan emphasized the importance of lifting sanctions on Syria, stating that their continuation hinders the country's development and reconstruction efforts. The Saudi government is hosting talks with Arab officials, Turkey, France, the European Union, and the United Nations to discuss potential relief from Western-imposed sanctions. Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is pushing for sanctions relief, citing the devastating effects of over 13 years of conflict that have killed hundreds of thousands of people and left millions displaced. The US Treasury Department has eased enforcement on some restrictions, but officials say they will wait to see progress before easing further. European Union diplomats are considering lifting sanctions if Syria's new rulers form an inclusive government that protects minorities.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40342357/talks-with-regional-eu-diplomats-saudi-arabia-urges-syria-sanctions-reliefSaudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan emphasized the importance of lifting sanctions on Syria during talks in Riyadh, citing their hindrance to the country's development and reconstruction. The meeting included representatives from Arab officials, Turkey, France, the European Union, and the United Nations. Saudi Arabia has welcomed Syria's new leader, Mohamed al-Jolani, who is pushing for sanctions relief, and has sent humanitarian aid to the country. Western powers, including the US and EU, imposed sanctions on Assad's government over its crackdown on anti-government protests in 2011. The US Treasury Department has eased enforcement of restrictions on essential services such as energy and sanitation, but officials say they will wait to see progress before easing sanctions further. The European Union is considering lifting sanctions if Syria forms an inclusive government that protects minorities.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/saudi-arabia-urges-syria-sanctions-relief-at-talks-with-regional-eu-diplomats/article69092896.eceRussian President Vladimir Putin is set to meet with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani's counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, in Tehran during a visit to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation between Russia and Iran in areas such as trade, investment, transport and logistics, and humanitarian aid. The two leaders will also sign an agreement on a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries and make joint statements to the media.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/941285-iranian-president-on-official-visit-to-russia-to-strengthen-bilateral-relationsRussian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's predecessor, Masoud Pezeshkian, during a meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, on October 23, 2022.
https://www.voanews.com/a/russia-says-iran-s-president-will-visit-this-week-sign-partnership-pact-with-putin/7934862.htmlRussian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine appears to be motivated by a desire to reassert Moscow's dominance over the country, rather than a fear of NATO expansion. This is evident in the fact that Russia has not taken similar aggressive actions against other NATO countries that are significantly closer to its borders, such as Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, or Poland. Instead, Putin chose to target Ukraine, which is rich in mineral resources and industrial capacity, and provides strategic access to the Black Sea.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3947998-ukraine-must-join-nato-the-surest-way-to-deter-russian-aggression.htmlRomania's government is urged to maintain or seek majority ownership in key sectors that are crucial for national security and the well-being of its citizens, according to representatives from the General Union of Romanian Industrialists (UGIR). The UGIR specifically identifies defense, energy, subsoil resources, transportation, healthcare, and education as priority areas.
https://www.actmedia.eu/daily/ugir-gov-t-should-keep-strategic-participation-in-sectors-key-to-national-security/112017The US has imposed tougher sanctions on Russian oil exports, which is expected to severely impact Russia's ability to transport its oil supplies. As a result, China and India are likely to source more crude from other regions such as the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas, leading to increased prices and shipping costs. According to Goldman Sachs analysts, 1.7 million barrels per day of Russian oil exports were transported by vessels targeted in the new sanctions, which is approximately 25% of Russia's total exports. The sanctions have also pushed Brent and WTI monthly spreads to their widest backwardation since the third quarter of 2024, indicating tight supply. Analysts at RBC Capital Markets note that the doubling of tankers sanctioned for moving Russian barrels will pose a significant logistical challenge to crude flows.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40342421/oil-jumps-as-new-us-sanctions-to-curb-russian-supply-to-china-indiaNATO chief Mark Rutte stated that Ukraine is not currently strong enough for peace talks with Russia. He emphasized the need for Ukraine to negotiate from a position of strength, which can be achieved through continued support and aid from NATO. This comes as US president-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, having promised to end Russian President Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine. Rutte warned that a bad deal for Ukraine would embolden Russia and its allies, including China, North Korea, and Iran. He urged Europe to increase its defense spending, citing the alliance's current threshold of 2% of gross domestic product as "not nearly enough" to counter the threat from Moscow.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40342506/nato-chief-says-ukraine-not-strong-enough-for-peace-talks-now