Zelensky:

I am not going to surrender my country because I have no right to do so.

The Pentagon is pressuring Japan to raise defense spending above 3.5% of GDP, which it calls the new NATO benchmark, despite Japan’s political and fiscal limits.

Japan, which kept defense spending around 1% of GDP for decades, pledged to reach 2% by 2027.

Source: Nikkei Asia

Zelensky:

European Union’s involvement in peace talks is crucial because no one except Europe is giving us security guarantees.

Zelensky:

I believe that Trump represents the United States of America. He acts as a mediator, he is in the middle – not on Russia’s side.

The Trump administration’s 2024 State Department Human Rights Report toned down criticism of allies like Israel and El Salvador, dropped most LGBTQ rights concerns, and reframed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as the “Russia-Ukraine war.”

It shifted focus to criticizing Brazil, South Africa, and European restrictions on right-wing speech. Israel’s section omitted Gaza’s humanitarian crisis despite high casualties, and El Salvador’s record was described as clean despite past reports of abuses.

The overhaul followed a purge of the State Department’s human rights bureau and rebranding toward “Western values.”

Source: Reuters

US Secretary of State Rubio:

There will be no peace in Gaza as long as Hamas exists.

U.S. State Department:

Rubio spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov about preparations for the upcoming Trump–Putin summit.

BREAKING: A Syrian government source says reports of a Syrian-Israeli meeting rumoured to take place tomorrow in Paris are not true.

Source: Al Arabiya TV

Egypt Training Mahmoud Abbas loyal Palestinian Forces for Post-War Gaza Administration

Security and diplomatic sources report that Egypt is training hundreds of Palestinian Authority police, intelligence, and security officers to assume control of Gaza’s administration after the war.

Source: MEE

US and Pakistan held counterterrorism talks in Islamabad, focusing on threats from BLA, ISIS-K, and TTP.

Source: Reuters

DR Congo: Army accuses Rwanda-backed rebels of multiple attacks in the east, saying they violate Washington and Doha agreements, and warns it may respond to provocations.

Source: Reuters

An Israeli patrol entered Taranja in northern Quneitra before heading to Hadar, while a convoy moved from Tal al-Ahmar to al-Asbah in the south amid heightened tensions.

Source: Levant 24

US Secretary of State Rubio:

Trump spoke with Putin on the phone 3 or 4 times without result or at least we did not reach what we want.

NEW: Israel is in talks with South Sudan on Gaza "migration."

Source: Israeli Channel 12

Ukrainian Intelligence (SBU) head Malyuk:

The "Spiderweb" operation had to be postponed for a month, because Russian truck drivers "partied" during the May holidays.

Ukrainian Intelligence (SBU) head Malyuk:

Russia has a plan called “Diversionary Noise”, personally approved by Putin, to escalate terror attacks and explosions across Ukraine.

SBU is countering it successfully, about 80% of such enemy plots are stopped in advance.

Ukrainian Security Service has hit 200+ targets deep inside Russia with long-range drones.

BIG: Netanyahu told i24 he feels on a “historic and spiritual mission” and strongly identifies with the vision of “Greater Israel,” encompassing land beyond Israel’s current borders, including areas slated for a Palestinian state and parts of Jordan and Egypt.

He framed his role as part of a “mission of generations” for the Jewish people.