Rally in Tel Aviv calls for return of deceased hostage Ran Gvili
Hundreds of people gathered for a second consecutive week at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, on Friday (12 December), to support the family of Master Sg...
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot warned Monday that the risk of war in Europe has reached unprecedented levels, noting that the front line has steadily moved closer to the continent over the past 15 years.
Speaking in an interview with France Inter, Barrot emphasized that Europe now faces significant geopolitical threats, a situation exacerbated by recent tensions between the United States and Ukraine.
Barrot’s remarks follow a high-profile public exchange at the White House, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy questioned U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach to negotiations with Russia. The contentious encounter has raised concerns about the future of U.S. support for Kyiv and the overall unity of the transatlantic alliance.
“The risk of war on the European continent, in the European Union, has never been so high because for almost 15 years, the threat has continued to move closer to us,” Barrot said. He added that the unfolding events have served as a wake-up call for many European leaders, urging them to confront the stark realities of the region’s security challenges.
Despite the growing threats, Barrot reaffirmed France’s commitment to achieving a stable and lasting peace. “We want peace, but a solid peace and a lasting peace,” he stressed, highlighting that diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing three-year conflict in Ukraine remain a top priority. Barrot also pointed out that discussions between French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President Trump have been frequent, underscoring France’s active engagement with key international partners.
In a related development, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who hosted a summit in London on Sunday, announced that European leaders have agreed to draft a Ukraine peace plan to present to the United States. French President Macron later told Le Figaro that the proposed plan would include a one-month ceasefire covering air and sea attacks, though ground combat operations would remain unaffected.
As Europe grapples with the escalating risk of conflict, these statements underscore an urgent call among European leaders to secure robust peace and security guarantees not only for Ukraine but for the entire continent. Diplomatic channels continue to remain open, as efforts intensify to navigate a path toward lasting stability in an increasingly volatile region.
Japan has lifted a tsunami advisory issued after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 hit the country's northeastern region on Friday (12 December), the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. The JMA had earlier put the earthquake's preliminary magnitude at 6.7.
Iran is preparing to host a multilateral regional meeting next week in a bid to mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The United States issued new sanctions targeting Venezuela on Thursday, imposing curbs on three nephews of President Nicolas Maduro's wife, as well as six crude oil tankers and shipping companies linked to them, as Washington ramps up pressure on Caracas.
The resignation of Bulgaria's government on Thursday (11 December) puts an end to an increasingly unpopular coalition but is likely to usher in a period of prolonged political instability on the eve of the Black Sea nation's entry into the euro zone.
An extratropical cyclone has caused widespread disruption across Brazil’s São Paulo state, with powerful winds toppling trees and power lines, blocking streets and leaving large parts of the region without electricity.
Britain’s King Charles III said on Friday, 12 December, that his cancer treatment is expected to be reduced in the coming year, using a televised address to urge people across the country to take part in cancer screening programmes, officials confirmed.
Talks aimed at ending the war between Ukraine and Russia are set to continue in Berlin this weekend, with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and senior European leaders, a U.S. official said.
Türkiye’s Trade Minister Omer Bolat said Friday that discussions in Washington with U.S. officials have strengthened efforts to expand bilateral trade, moving closer to a $100 billion target.
Lebanon is prepared to demarcate its border with Syria, President Joseph Aoun said on Friday, while noting that the dispute over the Shebaa Farms could be addressed at a later stage.
Greek farmers blocked the Port of Thessaloniki on Friday (12 December) as part of nationwide protests demanding delayed European Union subsidies and compensation for rising production costs and livestock losses.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment