France calls fight against Islamic State ‘absolute priority’ during Syria talks
France’s “absolute priority” remains the fight against the Islamic State (IS) group, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on Thursday (5 Febr...
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin failed to reach a deal on Ukraine at their Alaska summit, sparking swift reactions from Kyiv, European capitals and beyond. Leaders stressed the need for firm security guarantees for Ukraine and continued pressure on Moscow.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on X that he welcomed Trump’s proposal for a trilateral meeting with Russia and would travel to Washington on Monday to “discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war.” He added that Europe must remain involved to ensure “reliable security guarantees together with America.”
A joint statement by European leaders underlined that “Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees” and insisted Russia cannot veto Kyiv’s pathway to the EU or NATO. The leaders pledged further sanctions on Moscow, warning that international borders must not be redrawn by force.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised Trump’s efforts, saying his leadership “brought us closer than ever before to ending Russia’s illegal war.” French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted Russia’s track record of breaking commitments, stressing that “France continues to stand resolutely by Ukraine’s side.” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the outcome as “a glimmer of hope,” while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen both vowed “unwavering solidarity” with Ukraine.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Washington holds the leverage to compel Moscow to negotiate seriously, noting that the EU is preparing a 19th sanctions package. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said Europe must guard against Putin’s attempts to split allies, while Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala accused the Russian leader of seeking “the greatest possible territorial gains and the restoration of the Soviet empire.”
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that “the game for Ukraine’s future…has entered a decisive phase,” calling unity essential. His aide Marcin Przydacz added that talks themselves held some value but reiterated that Poland sees Russia’s defeat as the surest outcome. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson cautioned against “a bad peace on Russia’s terms,” saying Europe must keep supporting Ukraine to avoid fresh threats.
From outside Europe, India welcomed the summit as “highly commendable,” stressing diplomacy as the only path forward. Romanian Foreign Minister Toiu Oana said Black Sea stability is crucial for peace and prosperity, while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared that “today the world is a safer place than it was yesterday.”
The differing tones reflect both cautious optimism and firm resolve. While Trump prepares to meet Zelenskyy in Washington, European leaders and allies signal they will keep sanctions and military support flowing until Moscow makes concessions.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) unveiled a new underground ballistic missile base on Wednesday (4 February), just over a day before the start of mediated nuclear negotiations with the United States, slated for Friday in Oman.
Rivers and reservoirs across Spain and Portugal were on the verge of overflowing on Wednesday as a new weather front pounded the Iberian peninsula, compounding damage from last week's Storm Kristin.
Morocco has evacuated more than 100,000 people from four provinces after heavy rainfall triggered flash floods across several northern regions, the Interior Ministry said on Wednesday.
The World Health Organization has added the Nipah virus to its list of the world’s top 10 priority diseases, alongside COVID-19 and the Zika virus, warning that its epidemic potential highlights the global risk posed by fast-spreading outbreaks.
Uzbekistan is accelerating plans to expand uranium production and deepen international nuclear cooperation, positioning the sector as a pillar of long-term industrial growth and resource security.
Security services say they have now rescued all 166 worshippers who were kidnapped by gunmen during attacks on two churches in northern Nigeria last month, a Christian group said on Thursday (5 February).
The U.S. military said Washington and Moscow have agreed to reestablish high-level military-to-military dialogue following talks in Abu Dhabi. The move could signal a step toward normalising some ties between the United States and Russia.
U.S. President Donald Trump gave his “complete and total endorsement” of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Thursday (5 February) ahead of Japan’s national election on Sunday, backing the country’s first female premier as she seeks a fresh mandate for controversial spending plans.
Diplomacy remains U.S. President Donald Trump’s first choice in dealing with Iran, and he is prepared to wait and see whether a deal can be reached at the high-stakes talks, the White House said on Thursday (5 February).
The U.S. and China are locked in a growing struggle over critical minerals, the materials that power everything from electric vehicles and microchips to missiles and advanced radar systems, as both sides move to secure control over supply chains that underpin economic and military power.
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