Amid missiles and diplomacy, Russia is exploiting western divisions over Ukraine

The European Commission has proposed a plan to provide Ukraine with a loan funded by frozen Russian assets, aiming to bolster Ukraine's financial position amid ongoing conflict. This initiative includes a secondary option for an EU loan based on common borrowing, addressing concerns raised by Belgium, which holds a significant portion of these assets.

NATO foreign ministers convened in Brussels to address the ongoing threat posed by Russia amid the continued conflict in Ukraine. With no significant progress towards peace, European leaders are intensifying military support efforts for Ukraine.

President Trump has issued threats of U.S. military strikes against Colombia, a move that has sparked anger and disbelief in the country, particularly as it comes amid deteriorating diplomatic relations that were once celebrated during the 200th anniversary of ties with Washington.

NATO chief Mark Rutte responded to Vladimir Putin's assertive remarks, affirming the alliance's readiness to protect Europe. Analyst Peter Zalmayev noted that Putin's confidence stems from a lack of international repercussions for NATO airspace violations.

Oil futures have risen as peace talks between Russia and Ukraine have yet to yield tangible results, while crude supplies remain high. This development reflects ongoing tensions in the region and the impact on global oil markets.

Emmanuel Macron arrived in China for a three-day state visit aimed at enhancing trade relations and discussing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine with President Xi Jinping. The French president seeks to engage Beijing in pressuring Russia towards a ceasefire, emphasizing the importance of global governance and Xi's participation in the upcoming G7 summit in France.

The European Union has proposed a plan to utilize frozen Russian assets to provide €90 billion in support for Ukraine over the next two years, amid ongoing financial challenges due to the prolonged conflict with Russia. Belgium has expressed significant concerns regarding this initiative, labeling it as potentially unlawful and destabilizing.

Russian and U.S. negotiators met in Moscow for nearly five hours to discuss Ukraine's NATO membership, a pivotal issue in ongoing peace talks. Despite the lengthy discussions, no significant breakthroughs were reported, highlighting the complexities of the negotiations.