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Russia Expels British Diplomat Over Espionage Allegations

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Russia has expelled a British diplomat, accusing him of engaging in economic espionage and activities threatening national security. The Federal Security Service (FSB) said the diplomat, a second secretary at the British embassy in Moscow, was involved in intelligence-gathering efforts, including attempts to obtain sensitive economic information through informal meetings with Russian experts.

The move comes amid heightened tensions between Moscow and London during the ongoing Ukraine conflict, with Russia increasingly portraying Britain as a primary adversary. Russian authorities warned citizens to avoid contact with British diplomats, cautioning that such interactions could lead to serious legal consequences. The Russian Foreign Ministry also lodged an official protest with Britain’s diplomatic mission.

Britain has not immediately responded to the latest expulsion, though it has previously rejected similar accusations as baseless. Diplomatic relations between Russia and Western nations remain strained, with increased surveillance, travel restrictions on diplomats, and mutual claims of harassment. Western officials describe diplomatic postings in Moscow as increasingly difficult amid rising geopolitical tensions.

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Spain’s King Acknowledges Colonial-Era Abuses in Rare Remark

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King Felipe VI made a rare acknowledgment of abuses during Spain’s colonial past, noting that while historical laws were intended to offer protection, they often resulted in exploitation and injustice. Speaking in Madrid, he said such actions, when viewed through modern values, cannot be a source of pride.

At its peak between the 16th and 18th centuries, Spain controlled a vast global empire spanning multiple continents, including much of Latin America. The period was marked by forced labour, land seizures, and violence against Indigenous communities, leaving a legacy that continues to shape international relations today.

The remarks come amid ongoing tensions with Mexico over historical accountability. While past leaders like Andrés Manuel López Obrador have called for formal apologies, Spain has not issued one. The issue has strained diplomatic ties, with recent disagreements highlighting the continued sensitivity surrounding colonial history.

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EU Leader: Russia Gains from Middle East War

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EU Council President Antonio Costa warned that Russia has emerged as the primary beneficiary of the ongoing Middle East conflict, profiting from soaring energy prices and reduced international attention on its war in Ukraine. Speaking to EU ambassadors in Brussels, Costa said Russia gains new resources to finance its operations in Ukraine while the diversion of military capabilities weakens support for Kyiv.

Costa emphasized the broader risks of the conflict, noting that the Middle East war diverts focus from Ukraine and threatens regional stability. He urged international actors to return to the negotiating table to prevent further escalation and protect human rights.

Highlighting the need to uphold global norms, Costa stressed that freedom and human rights cannot be achieved through military action alone. He called for the EU to defend the rules-based international order and avoid paths that endanger Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.

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EU Must Project Power as Global Rules-Based System Weakens, von der Leyen Says

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The European Union must be prepared to assert its power more strongly in a changing geopolitical landscape, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said on Monday. Speaking at a conference for EU ambassadors in Brussels, she warned that the bloc can no longer rely solely on the global “rules-based” system to safeguard its interests.

Von der Leyen said the EU will continue to support the international framework it helped build with allies but must recognise that those rules alone may not protect it from emerging threats. She emphasised that Europe needs to be ready to defend its interests more proactively in an increasingly complex and uncertain global environment.

She also urged the bloc to reassess whether its institutions and decision-making structures—designed in a post-war era of stability and multilateral cooperation—remain effective today. According to von der Leyen, the EU must determine if its systems strengthen or weaken its credibility as a geopolitical actor amid rapidly evolving global challenges.

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Kremlin Affirms Interest in Continuing Ukraine Peace Talks

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The Kremlin stated on Monday that continuing peace talks with Ukraine remains in Russia’s own interests, emphasizing a preference for a diplomatic settlement to end the fighting. Despite recent deadlocks over Russia’s demand for control of the remaining part of eastern Donbas, Moscow reiterated its commitment to negotiations.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia’s approach to talks has not changed and that political and diplomatic solutions are the preferred method to resolve the conflict. He noted that Russia remains open to discussions while prioritizing its own national interests.

When asked about potential impacts of U.S. strikes on Iran, Peskov affirmed that Russia still values U.S. mediation but would rely primarily on its own judgment. The statement signals Moscow’s intention to continue dialogue while protecting its strategic objectives in the region.

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Italy Urges EU to Label Iran’s Revolutionary Guard a Terrorist Group

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Italy will press its European Union partners this week to designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, marking a significant shift in Rome’s stance, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said. Italy had previously resisted such a move, but Tajani said Iran’s violent crackdown on recent street protests, which reportedly left thousands dead, demanded a firm response. He said the issue would be raised at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

Tajani said the civilian toll from the protests required decisive action, proposing both the inclusion of the IRGC on the EU’s terrorist list and targeted sanctions against those responsible for what he described as “heinous acts.” A terrorist designation would impose far-reaching legal, financial and diplomatic restrictions on the powerful force, which was established after Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution and plays a central role in the country’s military, economy, and missile and nuclear programmes.

The proposal could strain EU–Iran relations, as some member states fear such a step could sever diplomatic ties, undermine efforts to revive nuclear negotiations and complicate the release of EU nationals held in Iran. While the IRGC is already subject to EU human rights sanctions, listing it as a terrorist group would require unanimity among member states, and objections from countries such as France could block the move. Tajani said Italy’s top priority remained the safety of its citizens, adding that staff at Italy’s embassy in Tehran would be sharply reduced.

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Lukashenko Says US Acknowledgment of 2020 Election Outcome Could Reset Ties

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Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said relations with the United States could improve if Washington acknowledges that efforts to overturn his 2020 re-election had failed. In an interview with U.S. outlet Newsmax, Lukashenko suggested that such an admission could serve as a starting point for renewed dialogue between the two countries.

Official results declaring Lukashenko re-elected to a sixth term in 2020 triggered mass protests in Belarus, with demonstrators alleging electoral fraud. Western nations refused to recognise the result, while Russia backed Lukashenko. The Belarusian leader responded to the unrest with widespread arrests, deepening tensions with the West.

The United States and its allies later imposed sanctions on Belarus over the election, human rights concerns and Minsk’s role in allowing Russia to use its territory to launch the invasion of Ukraine. Despite this, U.S. officials have engaged Belarus in recent years, including efforts to secure the release of detainees. Lukashenko said Belarus wanted constructive relations with Washington and even suggested the two sides could cooperate on international issues such as Venezuela.

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Finland PM Apologises to Asian Nations Over Racism Controversy

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Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has issued an apology to Asian nations after a racism controversy involving members of the far-right Finns Party, part of his governing coalition. The incident, labelled the “slanted eyes” scandal by Finnish media, centres on derogatory images shared online by several lawmakers, prompting diplomatic concern and backlash abroad.

Orpo said the remarks and images did not reflect Finland’s values of equality and inclusion. In statements released through Finnish embassies in China, Japan and South Korea, he stressed that the government takes racism seriously and is committed to combating it. The controversy began when the Miss Finland titleholder was photographed making an offensive gesture in a social media post, later leading to her being stripped of her crown despite an apology.

The situation escalated when multiple Finns Party politicians shared similar images online, drawing criticism at home and overseas. Finland’s national airline Finnair said the widely reported incident had triggered negative reactions in Asian markets, a key region for its long-haul business. The Finns Party is set to discuss the matter internally, while the episode has revived scrutiny of Orpo’s coalition, which has faced previous no-confidence votes linked to racist remarks by party members.

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Ukraine Prepares New Peace Plan, Zelensky Rejects Territorial Concessions

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Ukraine is set to present a revised peace proposal to the United States, aiming to avoid territorial concessions to Russia. President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated that ceding land is not an option, citing Ukrainian law, the constitution, and international law. His comments came during meetings with European and NATO leaders, amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure a peace deal without compromising Ukraine’s sovereignty.

The revised plan follows intensive weekend talks between US and Ukrainian negotiators that failed to yield an agreement acceptable to Kyiv. Zelensky emphasized that sensitive issues like control of the Donbas region and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant remain non-negotiable. The original US-backed draft, which proposed handing over full control of Donbas to Russia and splitting energy from Zaporizhzhia, has been trimmed from 28 to 20 points, with no compromise on territorial matters.

Meanwhile, fighting continues along the front line, including a drone attack on Sumy that cut power but caused no casualties. Zelensky’s European tour included meetings with leaders in London and Brussels to secure support and potential security guarantees for Ukraine. Talks with Moscow reportedly remain ongoing, though little progress has been publicly acknowledged, and the US seeks a resolution ahead of the 2024 presidential elections.

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Macron Stresses Need for U.S.–Europe Unity on Ukraine

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French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed that unity between Europe and the United States remains crucial in supporting Ukraine. Speaking during a visit to China, Macron dismissed suggestions that he had questioned Washington’s commitment to Kyiv, insisting there was “no mistrust” and underscoring that transatlantic cooperation is vital on the issue.

Macron welcomed the peace efforts led by the U.S. but highlighted that Europe must play a leading role alongside Washington. He noted that the United States “needs Europeans to lead these peace efforts,” reinforcing his stance that a collaborative approach is required to secure a sustainable resolution to the conflict.

The comments followed a report published by Germany’s Spiegel, alleging that Macron and German Chancellor Scholz were skeptical of U.S. diplomatic efforts. Macron strongly denied the claims, stating that an enduring peace would only be possible through joint efforts by Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia and Japan. “There is no scenario,” he said, “where peace in Ukraine is achieved without shared responsibility.”

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