International
Stoltenberg assures that NATO countries are willing to give more Patriots to Ukraine
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday that the allies are willing to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses, especially Patriot anti-missile batteries, after the specific request made today by the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmitro Kuleba.
“The allies understand the urgency of accelerating when it comes to air defense, so they will now look in their inventories or if there is a way they can provide more systems, in particular Patriots,” Stoltenberg said at a press conference at the end of a two-day meeting of the Alliance’s Foreign Affairs heads.
At the same time, he said that it is necessary to make sure that the air defense systems that are already deployed in Ukraine “have the ammunition and spare parts to work as they should.”
“In part it is a question of battery systems, but it depends a lot on the delivery of the interceptors of the systems that are already there,” he explained.
Stoltenberg assured that several allies promised that they will make “a new effort to find what they can, see what else they can provide.”
The 32 allied ministers participated today in a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council after attending a ceremony to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Atlantic Alliance.
“I don’t want to water the anniversary party, but my main message today will be Patriots, because saving Ukrainian lives, saving the Ukrainian economy, saving Ukrainian cities, depends on the capacity of the Patriots and other air defense systems,” Kuleba told the press upon his arrival at the meeting.
“The situation on the battlefield is still serious. Ukraine needs more air defenses, more ammunition and more help,” Stoltenberg stressed.
The Allied Secretary General listed that, in recent days, Germany has announced about 600 million euros for the Czech initiative to acquire artillery ammunition, the United Kingdom has announced the shipment of 10,000 drones to Kiev, France will give more missiles and armored vehicles and Finland will provide a new aid package worth 188 million euros.
“But we have to do even more. And we need to establish our support on an even firmer and more lasting basis,” he said.
Therefore, yesterday, Wednesday, the allied ministers agreed to move forward in the planning of a greater role of NATO in the coordination of aid and security training for Ukraine, a work that will continue in the coming weeks.
Stoltenberg indicated that the allies must move forward on these two aspects: the mobilization of urgent aid in the coming days and weeks and the establishment of “a more predictable framework for long-term support” that “does not depend on voluntary ‘ad hoc’ announcements, but on more predictable commitments.”
In this way, the allies have entrusted the supreme commander of the Alliance for Europe (SACEUR), American General Christopher G. Cavoli, start the planning of that framework, which “could be underpinned by financial commitments.”
Stoltenberg has proposed to create a fund of 100 billion euros for five years for Ukraine so that the support has a long-term journey, at a time when it is possible to return in November to the White House of Republican Donald Trump, who has already said that he would cut off attendance to Kiev.
“Russia is mobilizing more troops, but it is also willing to sacrifice men and material for marginal profits. This is serious, and that is exactly why it is urgent to mobilize more support for Ukraine,” argued the Norwegian politician.
He warned that there are fundamentally two possible scenarios: that the allies are able to mobilize more support and that Ukraine can recover more territory, or “that we are not able to do so.”
“And then there is a real risk that Russia will capture even more territory and that we will find ourselves in an even more dangerous position,” he said.
In his opinion, if NATO allies comply, he was convinced that Ukraine will be able to make new advances, and therefore “we must thoroughly seek and provide more military support” and put in place “stronger and more solid structures in the long term.”
Stoltenberg also insisted again that they have “no plan to have combat troops within Ukraine, there has been no request for it.”
The fact that the allies are providing him with weapons to defend himself “does not make us part of the conflict,” he said.
International
Sheinbaum highlights anti-drug gains after U.S. says challenges remain
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Friday highlighted her government’s achievements in the fight against drug trafficking, after the United States said challenges remain in combating organized crime.
On Thursday, Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente held talks with his U.S. counterpart, Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Following the meeting, the U.S. State Department said in a statement that “despite progress, challenges still exist” in addressing organized crime.
“There are very strong results from joint cooperation and from the work Mexico is doing: first, a 50% reduction in fentanyl seizures at the U.S. border,” Sheinbaum said during her regular morning press conference.
The president also said that authorities have seized nearly 320 tons of drugs and that there has been a “40% decrease in intentional homicides in Mexico” since the start of her administration on October 1, 2024.
Sheinbaum added that the United States should implement campaigns to reduce drug consumption within its territory and curb the flow of weapons into Mexico.
“There are many results and there will be more, but there must be mutual respect and shared responsibility, as well as respect for our sovereignties,” she said.
On Monday, Sheinbaum held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss security issues. She said she once again ruled out the presence of U.S. troops in Mexico to fight drug cartels.
Security has been a recurring issue used by Trump to threaten tariffs on Mexico and to pressure negotiations over the USMCA (T-MEC) free trade agreement, which are scheduled for 2026.
The agreement is crucial for Mexico’s economy, as about 80% of the country’s exports are destined for the United States.
International
Canada accuses Iran of killing its citizen during anti-government unrest
A Canadian citizen has died “at the hands of Iranian authorities,” the Canadian government said on Thursday, amid ongoing protests against the government in Tehran.
“I have just learned that a Canadian citizen has died in Iran at the hands of Iranian authorities,” Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, said, without providing further details. She added that Tehran’s response to what she described as “peaceful protests” has “led the regime to show a blatant disregard for human life.”
On Thursday, the United States imposed sanctions on Iranian security officials and individuals linked to the country’s banking networks, accusing them of orchestrating a violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrations and laundering billions of dollars in oil revenues. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the measures following what were described as the largest anti-government protests in the history of the Islamic Republic, although demonstrations have reportedly eased in recent days amid heavy repression and a near week-long internet shutdown.
“The United States stands firmly with the Iranian people in their pursuit of freedom and justice,” Bessent said in a statement, adding that the sanctions were imposed at the direction of President Donald Trump.
Those sanctioned include Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, whom Washington accused of coordinating the repression and the use of force against protesters.
International
Ukraine declares nationwide energy emergency amid russian attacks and extreme cold
The Ukrainian government on Wednesday declared a nationwide energy state of emergency amid continued Russian military attacks and extreme winter weather, with nighttime temperatures dropping as low as minus 18 degrees Celsius.
“The consequences of Russian attacks and worsening weather conditions are severe (…) Overall, a state of emergency will be declared for Ukraine’s energy sector,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement posted on social media following a meeting with senior officials.
Zelensky announced the creation of a “permanent coordination headquarters” to manage the crisis in the capital, Kyiv, and tasked former defence minister and current energy chief Denys Shmyhal with overseeing support efforts for affected individuals and communities, including addressing power outages, heating shortages and other “practical issues.”
“There are many problems that require urgent solutions,” the president said, noting that repair crews, energy companies, municipal services and the State Emergency Service are working “around the clock” to restore electricity supplies. Kyiv has been particularly affected after Russian strikes last Friday disabled key parts of the power grid, as daytime temperatures hover around minus 12 degrees Celsius and plunge to minus 18 at night.
Zelensky added that public authorities will “maximize efforts with partners to obtain the necessary equipment and additional support,” while the government will ensure “maximum deregulation of all processes” to speed up the connection of backup power equipment to the grid. He also confirmed that work is underway to significantly increase electricity imports into Ukraine.
The Ukrainian leader further instructed his Cabinet to review curfew regulations in light of the extreme cold, arguing that citizens must have the greatest possible access to assistance centers, while businesses should be given flexibility to plan their operations according to the state of the energy system.
Sheinbaum highlights anti-drug gains after U.S. says challenges remain
Canada accuses Iran of killing its citizen during anti-government unrest
Ukraine declares nationwide energy emergency amid russian attacks and extreme cold
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
-
International4 days agoDeadly van accident near Brazil border leaves 11 dead in Bolivia
-
International4 days agoU.S. to host Danish and Greenlandic Foreign Ministers at the White House
-
Central America4 days agoU.S. and El Salvador maintain close partnership, embassy says
-
Central America4 days agoTaiwan’s $10 million donation after 2001 earthquakes allegedly diverted in El Salvador
-
International4 days agoDominican court postpones hearing in deadly nightclub collapse case
-
International4 days agoPolice hunt gunmen after fatal shooting in Corsica
-
International4 days agoEx-President accused of bid to establish dictatorship as verdict nears in South Korea
-
International4 days agoVenezuelan opposition leader dedicates Nobel Prize to Trump
-
International3 days agoColombian Defense Chief Meets U.S. Officials to Advance Bilateral Narcotics Strategy
-
International2 days agoIran closes airspace amid U.S. threats and deadly nationwide protests
-
International2 days agoUkraine declares nationwide energy emergency amid russian attacks and extreme cold
-
Central America3 days agoBukele warns crime can become a ‘parallel government’ during visit to Costa Rica
-
International2 days agoFrance joins Denmark’s ‘Operation Arctic Resistance’ in Greenland amid U.S. tensions
-
International2 days agoX moves to block Grok from creating sexualized images of real people amid legal scrutiny
-
International3 days agoPeruvian Court Orders Definitive Dismissal of Money Laundering Case Against Keiko Fujimori
-
International2 days agoU.S.–Denmark tensions escalate as Trump pushes NATO to back U.S. claim on Greenland
-
International2 days agoUK Intelligence estimates russian casualties in Ukraine at over 1.2 million
-
International2 days agoSwiss Canton of Valais Grants Emergency Aid to Victims of Crans-Montana Bar Tragedy
-
International3 days agoU.S. to suspend visa processing for applicants from 75 countries
-
International2 days agoHillary Clinton skips Epstein inquiry as house panel threatens contempt charges
-
International16 hours agoCanada accuses Iran of killing its citizen during anti-government unrest
-
International16 hours agoSheinbaum highlights anti-drug gains after U.S. says challenges remain