Colombia begins process to join BRICS bank
Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on May 16 that his country has started the process of joining the New Development Bank of BRICS.
European capitals are advising the European Commission to delay any major responses to U.S. trade tariffs until after the NATO summit in June, as leaders prioritize securing a consensus with Donald Trump on the future of Europe’s defense responsibilities.
EU governments are calling on Brussels to delay any retaliatory action against U.S. trade tariffs ahead of next month’s NATO summit, emphasizing the importance of focusing on long-term security cooperation with Washington.
According to diplomats cited by the Financial Times, several member states have urged the European Commission to postpone key decisions related to the U.S. - particularly in defense procurement and trade - until after the NATO summit on June 24-25 in The Hague. The goal is to avoid actions that might complicate negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump.
European officials have also suggested scaling back the NATO summit to a two-day format and minimizing high-stakes discussions between leaders, in an effort to ensure a smooth and focused dialogue. Concerns persist over the possibility of intense exchanges, as seen during the 2018 NATO summit, when Trump advocated for higher defense contributions and raised questions about the alliance's dynamics.
Trump has proposed that European allies commit to spending 5% of their GDP on defense and take on greater responsibility for the continent’s security, shifting away from long-standing U.S. support. Discussions between European leaders and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte are ongoing to present a united and constructive position that could align with U.S. expectations.
In parallel, European officials are advising the Commission to avoid public debate over potential trade retaliation, delay procurement decisions involving U.S. and EU options, and refrain from statements that could be interpreted as criticism of Washington’s international posture.
Trump has implemented tariffs of up to 25% on EU steel, aluminum, and cars, with a temporary suspension on plans to double those rates pending talks. EU officials have indicated that if negotiations do not lead to a balanced agreement, the bloc is prepared to respond with its own trade measures.
U.S. officials have informed allies that Trump's participation in the summit may depend on prior consensus among the 31 NATO members to increase defense spending and assume more responsibility. NATO is currently preparing a comprehensive study on members’ defense capabilities and identifying areas where the U.S. could gradually reduce its presence without affecting European security.
European estimates suggest that with average defense spending moving toward 4%, and a roadmap for more autonomous European defense, a 5-to-10-year transition period could be realistic.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on May 15, with discussions reportedly focusing on upcoming peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegates in Istanbul.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war in Gaza will not stop until Hamas is destroyed, following the release of US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander.
Qatar signed a landmark agreement with U.S. aerospace giant Boeing on Wednesday to acquire 160 aircraft for Qatar Airways, a deal valued at $200 billion. The signing took place in Doha during the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Delegations from Russia and Ukraine met in Türkiye for their first direct peace talks since 2022, with discussions lasting under two hours.
Vietnam and Thailand have officially upgraded their ties to a strategic partnership, marking a significant step forward in regional diplomacy.
Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, announced that India is opening up 200,000 square kilometers of its sedimentary basin for oil and gas exploration, inviting Russian companies to participate.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on May 16 that his country has started the process of joining the New Development Bank of BRICS.
Ministers in Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU) are resigning one by one amid mounting protests in Tripoli, Libya Press agency reports
The US Supreme Court on Friday paused President Donald Trump’s attempt to carry out deportations using the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, siding with a group of Venezuelan immigrants in Texas who argued they were at risk of sudden removal under the rarely used wartime law.
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