Ukrainian drones attacked the Kronstadt drone development plant in the Moscow region city of Dubna.

The Russian Defense Ministry reports that almost 300 UAVs were shot down.

Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting Berlin for the third time in three weeks to meet with Germany’s new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, highlighting a warming relationship.

German Chancellor Merz prioritizes Ukraine war.

• Talks expected on Taurus missile & EU unity.
• Sharp contrast with former chancellor Scholz’s approach.
• As U.S. support fades, Germany steps up.

Source: NYT

Trump’s New World Order: U.S., China, Russia

President Donald Trump appears to be reshaping U.S. foreign policy through a 19th-century-style lens, envisioning a tripartite world dominated by three great powers: the U.S., China, and Russia.

This underpins his efforts to reset ties with both countries—easing pressure on Moscow despite the war in Ukraine and defusing tensions with Beijing after a trade war.

Spheres of Influence: A Modern Empire?

Analysts suggest Trump seeks a global order where each superpower controls its regional sphere.

Monica Duffy Toft calls it “imperial nostalgia”:
“Commanding and extending spheres of influence appears to restore a fading sense of grandeur.”

Stephen Wertheim points to Trump’s desire “to expand America’s overt sphere of influence in the Western Hemisphere.”

Examples include public calls to annex Canada, control Greenland, and reassert dominance over the Panama Canal.

In Asia, Trump’s stance on Taiwan raises concerns. Though U.S. law mandates arms sales, Trump has questioned the commitment. Analyst Yun Sun warns:
“Beijing would love to have a grand bargain… with Taiwan as its first and foremost focus.”

Under Secretary Elbridge Colby says Taiwan is “not an existential interest,” adding:
“It’s very important the core American interest is in denying China regional hegemony.”

Source: NYT

Macron:

France does not have double standards on the Israel/Palestinians issue and the Middle East.

France supports a two-state solution.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto:

Indonesia is ready to establish diplomatic relations with Israel once Israel recognizes a Palestinian state.

Elon Musk criticized President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” for expanding the federal deficit:

The bill adds trillions to the national debt despite partial tax cuts.

Musk says it contradicts DOGE’s mission and “undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing.”

He argues the bill “can be big or beautiful, not both.”

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov:

We will announce the next round of direct talks with Ukraine in the near future.

Israeli Defense Minister Katz:

The Air Force targeted Houthi positions at Sanaa Airport and destroyed the last plane there.

Israeli Defense Minister Katz:

Airports and ports in Yemen will be severely hit, and Sanaa airport will be destroyed time after time.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov:

Russia insisted on the abolition of discriminatory laws at the meeting with Ukraine in Istanbul and will continue to do so at the next round.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov:

Russia's demands for a non-nuclear and neutral status for Ukraine must be met in any form of conflict resolution.

At least 47 Palestinians have been injured - mostly by gunfire - when a crowd overwhelmed an aid hub in Gaza, according to a UN official.

Source: Sky News

Zelensky:

June 2026 – we all hope that there will be no more war.

Turkish unmanned fighter jet Bayraktar KIZILELMA PT-4 successfully completed its aggressive maneuver test with afterburner-assisted takeoff.

BREAKING: Germany plans to allocate millions to support Ukraine’s defense industry in independently developing and mass-producing cruise missiles with a range of up to 2,500 kilometers.

Source: Bild

Germany will not supply Taurus long-range missiles — the issue is currently considered “taboo” within the government.

Source: Bild

BIG: Putin’s conditions to end the war include a written pledge to halt NATO’s eastward expansion — officially excluding Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, and other ex-Soviet states from membership.

Russia also wants Ukrainian neutrality, some Western sanctions lifted, frozen assets returned, and protection for Russian-speaking Ukrainians.

If peace on his terms fails, Putin aims to show Ukrainians and Europeans through military gains that “peace tomorrow will be even more painful.”

Source: Reuters

A Russian soldier remains motionless, resigned to his fate, as a Ukrainian FPV kamikaze drone circles overhead, scanning for the perfect angle to strike.

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa tears up at Aleppo Citadel as a 2023 video plays:

“The revolution is at its strongest… I see you in Aleppo.” The crowd erupts, chanting, “Here is Aleppo!”

Lebanon PM Nawaf Salam:

The days of spreading the Iranian revolution are over.

Lebanon won’t accept weapons outside state control and would only seek “real peace” with Israel.

Kremlin:

Putin's meeting with Zelensky is possible, but it should be the result of specific agreements between the delegations.