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Russia Targets Students for Drone Warfare Recruitment

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Russia has launched a new recruitment drive aimed at university students, offering lucrative financial packages to join its growing drone units involved in the Ukraine conflict. Universities across the country are promoting these opportunities, highlighting benefits such as academic leave, free accommodation, and substantial salaries. Officials say the initiative is part of efforts to strengthen technologically skilled divisions rather than a broader military mobilisation.

The move reflects the increasing importance of drone warfare, with operators and engineers playing a critical role on the battlefield. Institutions like Far Eastern Federal University and others are actively encouraging students to enlist, offering payments that far exceed typical local earnings. While authorities insist participation is voluntary, some reports suggest students may face indirect pressure, though this has not been independently verified.

At the same time, regional authorities are expanding recruitment efforts beyond campuses. In the Ryazan region, companies have been assigned quotas to supply workers for military service, signaling a wider push to sustain troop numbers. Despite ongoing recruitment, Russian officials maintain that enlistment levels remain strong and sufficient for current military needs.

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German Chancellor Merz Doubts U.S.-Israel Strategy in Iran War

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has expressed doubts about whether the military actions by United States and Israel against Iran will achieve lasting success. Speaking at a conference in Berlin, Merz said he was unconvinced that there was a clear endgame to the conflict, which began with joint strikes on February 28 and has since escalated across the region.

Iran has responded with attacks on Israeli territory, U.S. bases, and Gulf states, while also disrupting vital oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. European countries, including Germany, have largely avoided direct involvement, a stance that has reportedly frustrated U.S. President Donald Trump. Merz emphasized ongoing diplomatic efforts through the G7 and regional talks but admitted limited influence over Israeli decisions.

Merz also clarified that the conflict is not a mission for NATO, noting he conveyed this position in a recent call with Trump. While Germany may consider future roles such as securing maritime routes or clearing mines in the Strait of Hormuz, he stressed that any such involvement would depend on international approval and would only be considered after hostilities end.

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EU to Sanction Nine Over Alleged Bucha War Crimes

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The European Union is set to impose sanctions on nine individuals accused of involvement in alleged war crimes linked to the killings in Bucha, Ukraine, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said ahead of an EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels. The move forms part of ongoing European efforts to hold individuals accountable for actions during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine has stated that more than 1,400 civilians were killed in Bucha, a town near Kyiv, during a 33-day occupation by Russian forces in the early phase of the 2022 invasion. The sanctions are expected to target individuals allegedly connected to these events, reinforcing the EU’s stance on accountability and international law violations linked to the conflict.

In addition to the nine individuals, the EU plans to sanction several alleged Kremlin propagandists accused of spreading disinformation. Among them is Franco-Russian national Adrien Bocquet, whom Barrot described as a recruiter of foreign fighters and a figure involved in promoting narratives supporting the war and influencing audiences across Europe and Africa.

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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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Iran Warns EU Nations Over Possible Military Involvement

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Iran has warned that any European Union country joining military attacks by the United States and Israel would be considered a “legitimate target” for retaliation. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi made the statement during an interview with France 24, stressing that countries supporting the aggression would face direct consequences from Iran.

His comments come as tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East. Several EU nations, including France, Greece, and Italy, have deployed warships to the region. While many European leaders have criticized Iranian actions, they have also called for de-escalation and a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany is working with international partners to find ways to end the fighting. However, he noted that Berlin shares strategic goals with the United States and Israel regarding the situation with Iran.

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EU Diplomat Says Iran’s Actions Risk Its Own Downfall

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European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Iran’s government is undermining its own future by launching indiscriminate attacks across the region. Speaking to reporters, she accused Tehran of pursuing a strategy aimed at spreading instability and escalating conflict in the Middle East, warning that such actions could ultimately backfire on the Iranian leadership.

Tensions escalated further after Turkey reported that NATO air defence systems intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile heading toward Turkish airspace. Radosław Sikorski, Poland’s foreign minister, criticised Iran’s actions, saying the country was widening the conflict by targeting nations that were not directly involved in the war.

Kallas also warned that the growing Middle East crisis risks diverting international attention away from the war in Ukraine. While she noted that the conflict could weaken Russia by costing it a regional ally, she cautioned that Moscow might still benefit from rising global oil prices triggered by the escalating tensions.

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Trump Threatens Trade Embargo on Spain Over Military Base Dispute

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U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to halt all trade with Spain after Madrid refused to allow American forces to use its military bases for operations linked to strikes on Iran. Speaking during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump said he had instructed U.S. officials to consider cutting off economic dealings with Spain, accusing the NATO ally of failing to support U.S. security objectives and defence commitments.

The dispute follows Spain’s decision to deny the use of the Rota and Moron air bases for Iran-related military missions, prompting the relocation of U.S. aircraft stationed there. Trump also criticised Spain for not meeting proposed NATO defence spending targets and argued that U.S. law could allow trade restrictions or embargoes under emergency powers. However, legal experts noted that imposing a full trade embargo would require declaring Spain an extraordinary national security threat — a move considered difficult to justify.

Spain responded by stressing respect for international law, private business autonomy, and existing European Union trade agreements with Washington. Madrid said it was prepared to manage any economic impact while continuing to support free trade. Spain exports products such as olive oil, auto parts, steel, and chemicals to the U.S., though America currently maintains a trade surplus with Spain, highlighting the broader economic stakes of the escalating diplomatic tension.

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Merz Warns Rules-Based World Order Has Collapsed at Munich Security Conference

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Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned that the rules-based world order “no longer exists,” urging Europe to prepare for sacrifices in an era dominated by great-power politics. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Merz said Europe’s freedom was no longer guaranteed and acknowledged a “deep divide” between Europe and the United States, citing growing tensions over trade, values, and security.

His remarks came amid strains in transatlantic relations following actions and rhetoric by US President Donald Trump, including threats to annex Greenland and the imposition of tariffs on European goods. Merz rejected protectionism and criticised the ideological influence of the Maga movement, while still appealing for renewed cooperation with Washington. He also revealed confidential discussions with Emmanuel Macron on the possibility of a joint European nuclear deterrent.

The conference, attended by around 50 world leaders, is also focused on the war in Ukraine, relations with China, and questions over US commitment to NATO. Addressing delegates later, Macron urged Europe to accelerate rearmament and become a stronger geopolitical actor, calling Russia’s war against Ukraine an “existential challenge.” Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the moment as a “new era in geopolitics,” underlining the scale of global realignment now under way.

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Aircraft Lessors Hold Firm as Geopolitical and Supply Risks Rise

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Global aircraft leasing companies say they remain resilient despite rising geopolitical tensions and market volatility, citing supply shortages and decades of crisis experience as stabilising factors. Speaking at an industry gathering in Dublin, leasing executives said the sector’s ability to move aircraft across borders and preserve tariff-free trade has helped shield it from recent global shocks.

A large backlog of jet orders at Boeing and Airbus has handed lessors significant control over new aircraft deliveries well into the next decade, supporting lease rates, resale values and profits. Executives said manufacturing issues and limited supply have placed “guardrails” around the industry cycle, keeping demand firm even as global markets remain unsettled.

While risks have increased following past crises including COVID-19 and Russia’s seizure of leased aircraft, industry leaders said long investment horizons help absorb shocks. At the same time, consolidation is accelerating, with a widening gap between lessors with large order books and smaller rivals. Executives said barriers to entry are rising, and attention is now focused on the potential sale of Macquarie AirFinance, which could reshape the competitive landscape.

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Germany Pushes ‘Two-Speed’ Europe With Core Group of Six Economies

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Germany is advocating a “two-speed” European Union to overcome decision-making gridlock and strengthen the bloc’s economic and strategic autonomy. German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said a core group of countries should move faster on key policies, arguing that the EU needs new momentum to respond to growing geopolitical and economic challenges.

Klingbeil has invited finance ministers from France, Poland, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands to form a leading group of six economies, with an initial video meeting planned as a starting point. The proposal aims to boost Europe’s sovereignty, resilience and competitiveness, as EU economies seek to reduce reliance on imported critical raw materials and shield themselves from global trade fragmentation and tariff risks.

According to a letter seen by Reuters, the initiative includes a four-point agenda focusing on advancing the capital markets union, strengthening the international role of the euro, improving coordination on defence investment, and securing supplies of strategic raw materials. Klingbeil said faster progress in these areas is essential to make Europe stronger, more independent and better prepared for an increasingly unpredictable global environment.

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