⚠️ JUST IN: Trump had phone call with Putin this week, told the Russian president “not to escalate the war” in Ukraine - WaPo citing sources

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❗️JUST IN: Kremlin Denies WaPo Reports Putin-Trump Conversation Has Taken Place

“This is false information,” Dmitry Peskov said.

The Kremlin spox adding that there is no plans for any communication between the two presidents.

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😮 ICYMI: French Politician Thierry Breton Reveals EU Institutions Had “Absolutely No Right to Speak” About Stopping the War in Ukraine Before Trump’s Win

The former EU commissioner has just said the quiet part out loud - the bloc can’t even speak if that voice disagrees with US policy.

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😯 Starmer Plots to Ramp Up War Rhetoric in Bid to Thwart Trump Scaling Back US Support for Ukraine - Telegraph

Stormer and Macron will discuss Monday whether Biden can be persuaded to give Ukraine permission to fire Storm Shadow missiles deep into Russia, according to UK govt insiders.

Biden could give the approval, the UK outlet reported, in an attempt to “secure his foreign policy legacy.” 🤡

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Taiwan and Philippines poised to obtain advanced US weapons under Trump as China fumes

Taiwan plans to purchase a massive package of US weapons to show the new Trump administration that Taipei is “serious” about protecting the island from China, the Financial Times cited unnamed sources as saying.

The package could include an Aegis destroyer, the Lockheed Martin vessels, advanced Hawkeye airborne radar systems and a number of fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets, according to the sources.

At the end of the day, Taiwan may receive 60 F-35 fighters, four advanced Hawkeyes, 400 Patriot missiles, plus 10 retired warships, like Ticonderoga-class cruisers and Perry-class frigates. The package would reportedly be worth more than $15 billion. Neither Taipei nor Washington has commented on the matter yet.

The information comes after the Chinese Foreign Ministry vowed last month to retaliate against the US’ move to approve almost $2 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, which included the national advanced surface-to-air missile system (NASAMS) and radars. Beijing says its sovereignty over Taiwan is indisputable and slams any US attempt to supply weaponry to the island.

In a separate development, the Philippines is likewise mulling buying an intermediate-range missile launcher, known as Typhon, which the US brought to the country in April for bilateral military drills, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told the FT.

He added that the launcher would “increase deterrence” by complementing the BrahMos supersonic anti-ship missiles that the Philippines earlier procured from India. China denounced Typhon’s initial deployment and subsequent extension as “provocative” and “destabilizing.” The territorial affiliation of a number of islands and reefs in the South China Sea has been the subject of disputes between Beijing, Manila and several other countries.

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📌 Trump, Scholz discuss ‘return to peace in Europe’

“Both exchanged views on the German-American relationship and the current geopolitical challenges,” Scholz’s spox, Steffen Hebestreit, said.

“They also agreed to work together towards a return to peace in Europe,” he added.

Scholz is currently facing calls for a snap election- following the collapse of his coalition govt:

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⚡️ NEW: Israel Attacks Displaced Palestinians in Gaza’s Nuseirat Refugee Camp Again

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