Crimea Power Outage After Ukrainian Drone Attack, Russian Authorities Say 
White House Seeks $87.6 Billion Emergency Funding for Iran War, Farmers, and Ebola Response 
US Delivers $13M Autonomous Maritime Drones to Philippines 
U.S. Reviewing Potential F-35 Fighter Jet Sale to Turkey Amid S-400 Dispute 
Lebanon Pushes Ahead With Israel Talks Despite Iran-U.S. Deal Impact 
Pelosi Discloses Major Intel and Uber Call Option Purchases Worth Up to $6 Million 
US Seeks Gulf Support for Iran Peace Deal Amid Regional Tensions 
DOJ Opens Investigation Into NYC Coffee Shop Over Anti-Goldman Social Media Post 
U.S. Eases Iran Team Travel Restrictions Ahead of Seattle World Cup Match 
Trump Highlights Manufacturing Agenda in Pennsylvania as Midterm Elections Approach 
Bessent Says U.S. Must Strengthen Supply Chains and Economic Security 
Marco Rubio Reassures Gulf Allies Over U.S.-Iran Peace Deal 
Japan Signals Preference for Low Interest Rates as BOJ Policy Debate Intensifies 
Peru Election Dispute Deepens as Roberto Sanchez Rejects Runoff Results 
White House Seeks $1.4 Billion to Combat Growing Ebola Outbreak 
US Senate Approves War Powers Resolution Urging Trump to End Iran Military Action 
The war in Ukraine continues in its fourth month, with Russia focusing on capturing the eastern region of Ukraine in its new offensive. This week, Germany’s foreign minister said negotiations with Russia are not an option.
In an interview with Stern magazine, German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said negotiations with Russia are not an option, citing that Moscow is not prepared to allow the Red Cross to let civilians evacuate from bombarded areas.
Baerbock also rejected calls from a group of Germans in an open letter for an immediate ceasefire and talks, criticizing the move as “naive, disturbing, and arrogant.”
“What can you negotiate about with someone who is not even ready to agree with the International Committee of the Red Cross to let civilians flee?” said Baerbock.
“What right does the German foreign minister have to decide for Ukraine which part of their country they should please give up, how many millions of their citizens to submit to their Russian rule?” said Baerbock, referring to the letter.
The top diplomat also said she has not been in contact with her Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov since Russia invaded Ukraine in February. Baerbock said she wished she could tell Lavrov to come and talk peace but questioned the power of his role in the war.
“What kind of role the Russian foreign minister plays at all in this is questionable,” said Baerbock.
Both Baerbock and Lavrov attended the G20 Summit in Bali. However, Lavrov left after his speech without hearing Baerbock’s remarks.
Meanwhile, the European Union is preparing the seventh round of sanctions against Russia in another effort to punish Moscow for its unprovoked attack on Ukraine. However, Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala told Reuters that curbing imports of Russian energy products is not included.
According to Fiala, the sanctions that are being finalized by the bloc’s executive included a ban on gold imports, widening a list of dual-use goods that are banned from exporting to Russia while also targeting more individuals.
Fiala said the European Commission is expected to unveil the seventh package in the coming days to be signed off by member states.
