Moldova's Minister Popsoi accused the Kremlin of using Moldovan citizens as pawns in a geopolitical game, making them suffer and influencing their political development to impose a pro-Russian government. He stated that Ukraine is providing support to Moldova during this time, which will be remembered by its people. The minister also claimed that Moldovans are beginning to see through Russian propaganda and recognize Ukraine as a true friend of the country. This sentiment was echoed at a recent meeting in Kyiv involving Ukraine and South-East European countries, where participants reaffirmed their support for Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity and condemned Russia's actions against it.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3949691-ukraine-extends-helping-hand-to-moldova-while-kremlin-leaves-it-to-freeze-top-diplomat.htmlNATO and EU leaders are urging member states to significantly increase their defense spending in response to Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. The European Newsroom, a platform for cooperation between 23 European news agencies, reports that discussions are underway on allocating a larger percentage of GDP to defense and exploring the possibility of joint EU loans to support these efforts.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/942541-european-newsroom-europe-urged-to-wake-up-and-strengthen-its-securityNATO has taken over part of the responsibility for coordinating military aid to Ukraine, a move aimed at creating permanent assistance mechanisms to guarantee stability for the country. According to Admiral Rob Bauer, head of the NATO Military Committee, this change is intended to ensure that Ukraine receives consistent support regardless of political changes in Western capitals. The transfer of responsibility was made possible by a framework agreement reached in Washington and is part of NATO's commitment to providing Ukraine with everything it needs to continue its fight against Russian aggression.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/942360-nato-takes-over-coordination-of-us-military-aid-to-ukraineNATO is taking over responsibility for assisting Ukraine from the Special Advisory Group and International Donor Coordination Cell, with the US agreeing to this change. This move aims to establish permanent assistance mechanisms to ensure stability for Ukraine, regardless of political shifts. NATO's top military official, Rob Bauer, emphasized that constant support is crucial for the Ukrainian Armed Forces as war efforts do not depend on developments in Western capitals. The Alliance has committed to providing Ukraine with necessary resources to continue fighting against Russian aggression.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3949491-admiral-bauer-nato-taking-over-from-us-military-aid-coordination-for-ukraine.htmlRussian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's posthumous memoir has been released, highlighting his resilience in the face of persecution. Three lawyers who worked with Navalny, Vadim Kobzev, Alexei Liptser, and Igor Sergunin, have been sentenced to prison for participating in an "extremist organisation". The sentences were handed down by a court in Petushki, a town near Moscow where Navalny was held before being moved to a remote colony. Navalny's team has accused the authorities of secretly filming their meetings with him, which are meant to be confidential. The UK and other countries have condemned the move as a "new low point" in Russia's human rights situation, calling for the release of all political prisoners.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/russia-sentences-navalny-lawyers-to-years-behind-bars/article69109619.eceIsrael and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement on Wednesday, which was welcomed by Palestinians in Gaza, relatives of hostages held in the enclave, and world leaders. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office accused Hamas of reneging on parts of the agreement, citing issues with the deployment of Israeli forces in the Philadelphi corridor. Hamas denied the claims, saying it is committed to the ceasefire agreement. The deal includes the release of scores of hostages held in Gaza and a pause in fighting, which has destabilized the Middle East and sparked worldwide protests. The agreement was reached after months of diplomatic efforts, with Egypt playing a key role as mediator. However, Netanyahu's far-right coalition partners have fiercely resisted the ceasefire, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir threatening to quit the government if Israel approves it. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has also demanded that Netanyahu promise to resume the war against Hamas after the first phase of the ceasefire. Despite the challenges, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty called on Israel and Hamas to implement the ceasefire plan "without any delay." The deal includes the release of 33 hostages over the next six weeks in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Israeli forces will pull back from many areas, allowing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to return to their homes, and there would be a surge of humanitarian assistance. The agreement has been met with both praise and criticism, with some hailing it as a breakthrough and others expressing concerns about the long-term implications for Gaza. The deal is seen as a significant step towards ending the 15-month war that has killed over 46,000 Palestinians and displaced hundreds of thousands more.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/israel-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-postpones-cabinet-vote-on-gaza-strip-ceasefire-deal/article69106399.eceA six-week ceasefire agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas, aiming to halt the 15-month conflict in Gaza that has resulted in over 46,000 deaths and displaced most of the enclave's population. Under the deal, Hamas will release 33 Israeli hostages, including all women, children, and men over 50, while Israel will release all Palestinian women and children under 19 detained in its jails. The total number of Palestinians released could be between 990 and 1,650. The agreement is part of a three-stage deal that also aims to ease hostilities in the Middle East, where the conflict has spread to include Iran and its proxies. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced that agreements have been reached on a deal to release hostages, but the deal still requires approval from Israel's security cabinet and government before it can take effect on Sunday.
https://indiatoday.in/world/story/gaza-war-israel-hamas-will-release-first-hostages-under-ceasefire-deal-on-sunday-2666414-2025-01-17Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that a ceasefire deal with Hamas is not yet complete. The agreement was announced after months of negotiations to end the deadliest war in Gaza's history, which was triggered by a Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023. The deal would pause hostilities one day before the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump. Netanyahu spoke with both US Presidents Joe Biden and Trump, thanking them for their help securing the agreement but cautioning that "final details" were still being worked on. The war has resulted in the deaths of over 46,000 people, mostly civilians, according to Hamas-run health ministry figures considered reliable by the UN. In Gaza, there are mixed feelings about the deal, with some welcoming it while others express anguish due to ongoing strikes and casualties. Two far-right party leaders in Netanyahu's cabinet have publicly opposed the agreement. The deal was brokered by mediators Qatar, Egypt, and the US, with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani announcing that the two belligerents had reached an agreement. The deal includes a 42-day ceasefire, during which 33 hostages would be released, including women, children, elderly people, and civilians.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/israel-strikes-gaza-and-accuses-hamas-of-backtracking-on-deal/article69106095.eceIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu postponed a Cabinet vote on a long-awaited ceasefire deal with Hamas due to a last-minute dispute over the terms of the agreement. The deal, brokered by the US and Qatar, aims to pause fighting in the Gaza Strip and release dozens of hostages. However, Netanyahu's office accused Hamas of reneging on parts of the agreement, specifically citing issues related to the deployment of Israeli forces in the Philadelphi corridor. Hamas denied these claims, stating that it remains committed to the ceasefire agreement. The delay has raised concerns about the implementation of the deal amidst rising tensions within Netanyahu's government coalition.
https://www.news18.com/world/israel-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-postpones-cabinet-vote-on-gaza-ceasefire-deal-9191625.html