South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Trump Allows Commercial Fishing in Protected New England Waters 
Iran–U.S. Nuclear Talks in Oman Face Major Hurdles Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
TrumpRx.gov Highlights GLP-1 Drug Discounts but Offers Limited Savings for Most Americans 
Missouri Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Starbucks’ Diversity and Inclusion Policies 
Trump Says “Very Good Talks” Underway on Russia-Ukraine War as Peace Efforts Continue 
Trump Backs Nexstar–Tegna Merger Amid Shifting U.S. Media Landscape 
Ohio Man Indicted for Alleged Threat Against Vice President JD Vance, Faces Additional Federal Charges 
China Warns US Arms Sales to Taiwan Could Disrupt Trump’s Planned Visit 
Japan Election 2026: Sanae Takaichi Poised for Landslide Win Despite Record Snowfall 
Pentagon Ends Military Education Programs With Harvard University 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Nighttime Shelling Causes Serious Damage in Russia’s Belgorod Region Near Ukraine Border 
U.S. Announces Additional $6 Million in Humanitarian Aid to Cuba Amid Oil Sanctions and Fuel Shortages 
U.S. to Begin Paying UN Dues as Financial Crisis Spurs Push for Reforms 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Leaders of countries part of the European Union are set to make a historic decision regarding Ukraine’s potential candidacy. Diplomats and ministers revealed that the bloc’s leaders are set to approve of Ukraine becoming a candidate for European Union membership.
Diplomats and ministers revealed Tuesday that leaders of the nations part of the European Union are set to sign off on Ukraine’s candidacy for membership into the bloc during the summit on Thursday. This follows the recommendation made by the European Commission last week to grant Ukraine candidacy status.
Following days of internal discussions, three diplomats told Reuters there was no opposition to Ukraine joining the European Union.
“We are working towards the point where we tell Putin that Ukraine belongs to Europe, that we will also defend the values that Ukraine defends,” Luxembourg foreign minister Jean Asselborn told reporters prior to meeting his EU counterparts.
Along with Ukraine, Moldova is also likely to be given candidate status. However, Georgia must fulfill its conditions, most especially breaking the political gridlock that the country is currently facing.
A French presidential official also told reporters during a briefing that he was confident there would be no opposition from the 27 countries for Ukraine and Moldova.
“We are forging consensus. At this moment I can’t say all 27 are agreed but there is reasonable hope to quickly get an agreement on Ukraine and Moldova at the EU Council,” said the official.
While northern European countries have some reservations about giving Ukraine candidacy status over certain issues, such as the rampant corruption, Denmark’s foreign minister said he was willing to give Ukraine candidacy status.
At the same time, several countries in the bloc are pushing to impose new sanctions on Russia and Belarus to increase pressure as the war moves into its fourth month.
One-third of the EU countries, led by the eastern and Nordic states, want the European Commission to start working on the seventh set of sanctions to punish Russia for its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
However, according to diplomats, countries such as Germany prefer to focus on applying existing sanctions for now and closing loopholes in the sanctions rather than start work on new ones.
