NATO

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a threatening message to the U.S. and European countries: leave Kyiv immediately. Two days ago, he issued a similar warning and announced that the Russian army would begin systematic strikes on the Ukrainian capital. The Baltic states told NATO headquarters: "We fear a Russian attack."

Following Friedrich Merz’s criticism of U.S. handling of Iran, the Pentagon says roughly 5,000 troops will leave Germany over six months; an air-defense battalion planned for later this year won’t deploy.

Washington is weighing steps against key NATO partners that, officials say, failed to back U.S. operations against Iran. An internal email circulated among top Pentagon ranks outlines options ranging from sidelining Spain to revisiting the U.S. stance on the Falklands.

In a blunt interview, President Donald Trump tore into Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni over security and Iran, citing Italy’s refusal to help secure the Strait of Hormuz and the government’s reported move to block U.S. use of Italian bases for a potential war with Iran.

A political earthquake in Hungary: the opposition led by Peter Magyar wins 138 of 199 seats—more than two-thirds—ending Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule. The former prime minister concedes: "We will continue to serve our homeland and the Hungarian people even from the opposition... 2.5 million voters will not be abandoned. We never give up."