US Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack:

I'm a student of history... I've never seen a sustained period of peace in the region that's called the Middle East, for at least 100 years.

We can go back through the dynasties for 1,500 years and find periods of time in sub-geographies that have had prosperity.

US Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack:

Talks between Syria and Israel continue despite tensions. The reports that the deal fell through at the last minute are not true.

The Syrian government, with great courage, held talks with Israel even two days after Israel struck the Ministry of Defense building.

Syria and Israel have taken each other's intentions into account. The discussions continue.

Zelensky:

We will strike back to force Russia to diplomacy.

Kremlin:

Putin's invitation to Trump to come to Moscow remains in effect, everything further depends on Trump's decision.

UK PM Keir Starmer’s approval has plunged to 13%, the lowest for any British PM since Ipsos began tracking in 1977, with 79% of voters dissatisfied, according to the latest poll.

Xi Jinping aims to use Trump’s eagerness for a trade deal to push for a major shift in US policy: a formal statement opposing Taiwan’s independence.

Xi wants Washington to move from its long-standing position of “not supporting” independence to actively opposing it, a change that would weaken Taiwan’s international standing and strengthen Beijing’s leverage.

Trump has so far avoided clear commitments on defending Taiwan, delayed military aid, and even denied a visit request by Taiwan’s President.

Chinese officials believe Trump’s desire for economic cooperation could make him more receptive to Beijing’s demand. Xi plans to press the issue at upcoming meetings.

Source: WSJ

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir showed Trump rare earth metals and precious stones from Pakistan's mines.

The Global Sumud Flotilla continues its journey to break the blockade on Gaza.

The boats carry the names of historic Palestinian towns: Gaza City, Nablus, Haifa, Jenin and Al-Khalil, honoring their enduring legacy and resilience.

Drones continue to fly over the Global Sumud Flotilla. Yasemin Acar, a Steering Committee member, says the surveillance aims to intimidate but also shows the urgency of the mission:

"For Palestinians, drones are not just cameras. They are weapons of war, used daily to surveil, intimidate and kill. The same technology that terrorizes Gaza is now policing the Mediterranean, turning the sea into a graveyard.

We will not turn back. We continue to Gaza because this is about justice, freedom and life."

Moldovans voted in a parliamentary election seen as a pivotal choice between closer ties with the EU or Russia.

President Maia Sandu’s pro-EU Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) faces challenges from the pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc amid warnings of Russian meddling, cyberattacks, and potential post-election protests.

Polls suggest PAS may lose its majority, forcing possible coalition talks with opposition parties.

Turnout was about 30% by midday, with final results expected to show whether Moldova stays on a pro-European path or shifts toward Moscow.

NEW: Hamas says it has lost contact with two hostages in Gaza City due to Israeli actions.

Hamas demands the withdrawal of Israeli forces from several neighborhoods in Gaza and a halt to drone flights and IDF strikes for 24 hours so that they can be located.

Source: Axios

Trump:

We have a real chance for GREATNESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST. ALL ARE ON BOARD FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL, FIRST TIME EVER. WE WILL GET IT DONE!!!

Footage showing the destruction in Ukraine caused by Russian attacks involving 43 missiles and 568 UAVs.

Footage of a fire in a residential building near Kyiv after a Russian drone attack.

Zelensky:

We welcome the clear decision of the UN Security Council to restore sanctions against Iran.

Tehran has long ignored the calls of the IAEA and the international community, undermining the nuclear order.

This must become a global rule: whenever someone undermines or threatens international peace and security, strict sanctions must be imposed immediately.

An Israeli person was seriously injured in a ramming attack north of the West Bank.

Source: Israeli Channel 12

NATO's Rutte:

We are in an age of confrontation we did not seek. It was contrived in capitals working to undermine us: Moscow, Beijing, Pyongyang, and Tehran.

Russia brought war back to Europe and joined China, North Korea, and Iran to expand their capabilities and influence.

But history shows North America and Europe together are a winning combination. Our adversaries notice.

Source

NATO's Rutte:

Putin's game in Ukraine? He wants it all but knows he can't. Every conflict ends, though not always with negotiation. WWII we won outright. The Cold War we won with Reagan and Thatcher.

Ukraine will likely end with negotiations, but Zelensky must know his country is protected after any peace deal or ceasefire.

Source

NATO's Rutte:

China diversified its economy, Russia has not. Russia is a petrol-based economy, now facing issues as Ukrainians hit key oil refineries with drones, impacting the economy.

There are queues at gas stations. In the US, if you could not fill up cars, 1776 would happen again. In Russia, so far, they cope.

Source

JD Vance:

Trump has been very clear: he wants Gaza and the West Bank to be controlled by the people who live there.

JD Vance on the Gaza deal:

I feel more optimistic about where we are right now than where we have been at any point in the last few months.