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Zelenskiy Warns of Tough Months Ahead as Ukraine Faces Military and Diplomatic Pressure

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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned that the coming spring and summer months will be challenging as the country faces growing pressure both on the battlefield and in diplomatic negotiations to end the war with Russia. He said international partners have urged Kyiv to scale back strikes on Russia’s oil sector due to rising global energy prices linked to the Iran conflict and Middle East tensions, while also noting that the United States is currently less focused on advancing Ukraine peace talks.

Zelenskiy stressed that Russia must halt its attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure if it wants de-escalation and resume trilateral peace negotiations mediated by Washington. He expects the political and military situation to remain difficult until at least September and called for stronger international pressure and sanctions on Russian oil, especially after temporary easing of restrictions during the Iran crisis.

In recent weeks, Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russian oil facilities, including major Baltic ports such as Ust-Luga and Primorsk, aiming to reduce Moscow’s energy revenues. Despite requests from partners to slow these strikes, Zelenskiy argued that Russia’s oil exports do not significantly impact global markets and insisted that meaningful diplomatic progress will only happen if Russia stops demanding control over Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region while fighting continues along the 1,200-km front line.

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Greenland Rejects Trump’s Arctic Remarks, Urges NATO Unity

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Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has strongly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks describing Greenland as a “big, poorly run piece of ice,” calling the comments disrespectful and emphasizing the island’s sovereignty and global responsibility. Nielsen said Greenland is a proud nation of 57,000 people that respects international law and works closely with global allies, urging NATO members to stand together to protect the international order.

The comments came after Trump criticized NATO’s role in the Iran war and revived tensions over Greenland, which the U.S. has previously expressed interest in controlling due to its strategic Arctic location. Earlier this year, European nations including Germany and France sent troops to Greenland in a show of solidarity after concerns that the U.S. might consider military action, before diplomatic talks shifted the issue to negotiations.

Despite ongoing discussions between Greenland, Denmark, and the United States on defence cooperation, Nielsen warned that Trump’s ambitions regarding the island remain a concern. He stressed that Greenland supports dialogue and cooperation but remains cautious, noting that existing agreements already allow U.S. military presence on the island while maintaining Greenland’s autonomy and sovereignty.

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Lufthansa Strike Disrupts Travel as City Airlines Secures Pay Deal

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Tens of thousands of passengers across Germany faced major travel disruptions as Lufthansa cabin crew and its regional unit CityLine staged a day-long strike, leading to widespread flight cancellations at key airports. The industrial action, organized by the UFO union, affected major hubs including Frankfurt and Munich, with Frankfurt Airport alone reporting around 580 cancelled flights and roughly 72,000 passengers impacted.

Lufthansa management criticized the strike as “completely disproportionate,” while union representatives defended the move, saying stalled wage negotiations left them with no choice but to escalate. The strike highlights growing tensions within the airline group as employees demand better pay and working conditions amid ongoing restructuring in Europe’s aviation sector.

In contrast, Lufthansa’s newer subsidiary City Airlines reached its first labour agreement with the Verdi union, securing salary increases of 20% to 35% through 2029 along with improved benefits and working conditions. The agreement comes as Lufthansa plans to shut down CityLine by the end of the year and shift short-haul operations to City Airlines, raising concerns among CityLine employees over job security and future employment.

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Dutch Police Seek Victims in Global Sextortion Case

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Dutch police have launched a global appeal for victims of an alleged international sextortion campaign to come forward, after a 22-year-old Dutch man was accused of coercing dozens of women and girls into degrading sexual acts online. Investigators say the suspect posed as a teenage girl on social media platforms, convinced victims to share explicit photos, and then blackmailed them into producing increasingly graphic content by threatening to send the images to their families and friends.

The suspect, identified as Damian A. under Dutch privacy laws, was arrested in January 2025 and is currently on trial in Dordrecht. Prosecutors have charged him with online sexual assault and online rape and are seeking a nine-year prison sentence along with psychological treatment. Authorities say more than 50 victims from countries including the Netherlands, the UK, the US, Canada, Germany, and Montenegro have been identified, though the actual number is believed to be much higher.

Police say the campaign aims to reassure victims that the suspect is in custody and encourage others to seek help and report abuse, while also warning people who shared or bought the images to delete them immediately. The case highlights the growing threat of sextortion, with nearly 3,000 cases recorded in the Netherlands in 2025 alone, marking a sharp rise and raising concerns about online safety and digital exploitation.

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Italy Cuts Growth Outlook as Energy Costs Weigh on Economy

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Italy is set to lower its economic growth forecasts as rising energy prices continue to pressure its economy, Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said. The government is expected to trim this year’s GDP growth estimate to around 0.5%–0.6%, down from 0.7%, while next year’s outlook may also be reduced slightly. The slowdown is largely attributed to external and temporary factors, particularly the ongoing energy crisis.

The weaker growth outlook complicates Italy’s efforts to reduce its budget deficit below the European Union’s 3% threshold. With the deficit already projected at 3.1% in 2025, slower expansion could limit fiscal room and make it harder to meet agreed targets. Despite these challenges, officials maintain that recent data does not indicate any structural weakness in the economy.

Italy has urged the European Union to consider temporarily easing its budget rules if geopolitical tensions, especially involving Iran, worsen further. While existing mechanisms allow flexibility during severe downturns, current conditions do not yet meet that threshold. Meanwhile, Italy remains under EU scrutiny for its deficit, restricting its ability to introduce major relief measures.

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Italy Declares Emergency After Landslide Disrupts Key Adriatic Transport Route

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Italy has declared a state of emergency and pledged initial funding to repair major transport links disrupted by a landslide in Petacciato. Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini announced an initial allocation of 10 million euros to restore damaged rail and motorway connections along a crucial north-south corridor.

The landslide, triggered by heavy rainfall in a region prone to hydrogeological instability, forced the closure of the A14 motorway and a key rail line linking Bologna to Taranto. Around 50 residents were evacuated, while thousands of motorists faced long detours and rail services were suspended or rerouted.

Authorities said conditions have stabilised, with partial reopening of roads and rail services expected to resume soon. However, a collapsed bridge will keep a main road closed for up to seven months, potentially impacting the region’s tourism season.

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Spain Intensifies Criticism Of Israel And U.S., Defying Trump Pressure

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Spain has sharply escalated its criticism of Israel and the United States, condemning Israeli strikes on Lebanon and the broader conflict involving Iran. Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares described the situation as a grave attack on global values, echoing Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who has been a vocal opponent of the war.

Madrid’s stance has deepened tensions with Washington, especially amid pressure from allies of Donald Trump to penalize Spain. Sanchez has taken concrete steps, including closing Spanish airspace to aircraft involved in the conflict and urging the European Union to suspend its agreement with Israel, accusing it of violating international law and ceasefire terms.

Spain is also pursuing diplomatic efforts, announcing plans to reopen its embassy in Tehran to support regional peace. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Spain’s position, highlighting growing international divisions as Madrid continues to position itself as a leading critic of the ongoing conflict.

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Security Agents Raid Office of Independent Russian Newspaper

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Masked security service agents conducted a search at the Moscow office of Novaya Gazeta on Thursday, according to the publication. The newspaper said it was unaware of the reason behind the operation and claimed its lawyers were denied access to the premises during the search.

Russia’s state news agency reported that they may be linked to an investigation into the alleged illegal use of personal data. The incident comes amid increasing pressure on independent media following Russia’s 2022 war in Ukraine, during which authorities have tightened censorship laws and oversight.

In a separate ruling the same day, Russia’s Supreme Court declared Memorial an extremist group, exposing its supporters to possible prosecution. Dmitry Muratov, editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta and a Nobel Peace Prize co-winner, has previously been labeled a “foreign agent,” reflecting the broader crackdown on dissenting voices.

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Romania Appoints Prosecutors Amid Criticism

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Nicusor Dan appointed seven chief prosecutors and deputies despite opposition from civil society groups and the country’s top judicial regulator. The move has raised concerns about the direction of Romania’s anti-corruption efforts, especially as the regulator had declined to endorse the nominees.

Romania, often ranked among the more corrupt countries in the European Union, has seen scrutiny over its justice system even after special EU monitoring ended in 2023. Critics say the pace of anti-corruption investigations has slowed, with recent high-profile acquittals adding to fears that enforcement is weakening.

Among the appointments, Cristina Chiriac was named prosecutor general, alongside key roles in anti-corruption and organized crime units. While the president defended his choices as necessary, critics—including former justice minister Stelian Ion—warned that ignoring the regulator’s negative opinion could undermine judicial independence and public trust.

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Germany Suspends Approval Rule for Long Overseas Stays by Military-Age Men

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Germany has suspended a controversial requirement that men of military age seek approval for extended stays abroad, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced after public concern over new military service rules. The regulation, introduced under the Military Service Modernisation Act that took effect in January, had required males aged 17 and above to obtain permission before travelling abroad for more than three months, though it had not yet been enforced.

Pistorius clarified that during peacetime, citizens aged between 17 and 45 are free to travel without notifying authorities or requesting approval. The government has temporarily halted the permission process while military service remains voluntary, stressing that the measure was originally intended as a precaution tied to national defence planning amid heightened security concerns following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The updated law seeks to strengthen Germany’s armed forces and allows conscription to be reinstated if voluntary recruitment falls short. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged to build Europe’s strongest conventional army, with all 18-year-olds now receiving questionnaires about potential military service — mandatory for men and optional for women. From July 2027, 18-year-old men will also undergo medical examinations to assess fitness for possible service.

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