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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Thursday, per a Public Telegram Board, that NATO and the European Union are waging war against Russia “using Ukraine as a proxy” and are “directly participating” in the conflict. Lavrov’s comments follow repeated Kremlin claims that Western military and financial support for Ukraine amounts to direct hostility toward Russia.

The announcement also comes amid repeated drone incursions into NATO allies' air space. NATO warned Russia on Tuesday that it was prepared to defend "every inch of allied territory" after Estonia said that Russian fighter jets had violated its airspace last week. The incursion followed a similar incident in Poland earlier this month, where around 20 drones from Moscow entered Polish airspace. Just this week, Denmark reported multiple drone incidents at critical infrastructure points, as a Russian landing ship was discovered lurking off the Danish coast.

What to Know:

• NATO and EU members have not formally entered the war
• Lavrov accused NATO and the EU of declaring war on Russia via Ukraine
• He claimed both alliances are “directly participating” in the conflict
• The statement was made on Thursday on a Telegram board
• Russia has previously framed Western support for Ukraine as aggression

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Sep 25, 2025 at 08:08 PM EDT

Zelensky surprised by Trump’s comments that Ukraine could win back its territory

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday said he had been surprised by President Donald Trump's comments earlier this week, where he said that he believed Ukraine could win back its territory and potentially more from Russia.

“It was a surprise for me, you’re right,” Zelensky told Fox News on Tuesday. [It] was very positive signals from the side that Trump and America will be with us to the end of the war."

In a Truth Social post, Trump had backed Ukraine and its ability to “fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form." He had also criticized Russia, calling it a "paper tiger."

The statement represent a big shift from when Trump gave Vladimir Putin the red carpet welcome in Alaska during their meeting last month.

Sep 25, 2025 at 07:50 PM EDT

Putin ally fires nuclear warning at Trump’s US

Top Kremlin official Dmitry Medvedev issued a fiery nuclear warning to the U.S. after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said officials in Moscow should learn where their nearest bomb shelter is if they don't end Russia's war.

Zelensky, in an interview with Axios, said U.S. President Donald Trump had given his explicit backing to Ukrainian strikes on Russian targets such as energy infrastructure and arms factories, and that if Kyiv receives more long-range American weaponry, then "we will use it".

"The Kiev drug addict said the Kremlin should know where a bomb shelter is so its occupants can hide when he uses long-range American weapons," Medvedev, who is deputy chairman to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Kremlin's Security Council, and is himself a former president and prime minister of Russia, in a post on X.

"What the freak needs to know is that Russia can use weapons a bomb shelter won't protect against. Americans should also keep this in mind."

Sep 25, 2025 at 07:44 PM EDT

Mark Rutte says he agrees with Trump’s calls to shoot down Russian aircraft violating airspace

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said that he agreed with President Donald Trump’s call for alliance members to shoot down Russian planes that violate their airspace after a series of incursions in Europe.

During a Thursday appearance on Fox News’s Fox & Friends, Rutte said that NATO member countries should be prepared to take the action "if so necessary."

"I totally agree here with President Trump, if so necessary. But our military... have trained and prepared for this. We know how to do this," he said.

Sep 25, 2025 at 07:13 PM EDT

WATCH: Russia urges Turkey’s Erdogan to cut Russian oil

Sep 25, 2025 at 06:47 PM EDT

German defense minister warns of Russia’s growing capabilities in space

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius warned on Thursday about Russia's growing capabilities "for warfare in space."

He pointed to Russian satellites currently shadowing Intelsat satellites which are used by German forces, and Moscow's ability to "disrupt satellite operations" or even destroy them entirely.

"Russia and China have expanded their capabilities for warfare in space rapidly over the past years: They can disrupt satellite operations, blind satellites, manipulate or kinetically destroy them," Pistorius said at a space conference in Berlin.

Sep 25, 2025 at 06:32 PM EDT

Poland officials told Russia not to ‘whine’ if they shoot down their aircraft

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski told Russia not to "whine" if Poland shoots down its aircraft.

"If another missile or aircraft enters our space without permission, deliberately or by mistake, and gets shot down and the wreckage falls on NATO territory, please don't come here to whine about it," Sikorski said during an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting on Monday.

"You have been warned."

Sep 25, 2025 at 06:17 PM EDT

Pete Hegseth summons US military officials from around the world to rare Quantico meeting

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered hundreds of the nation’s top military officers to assemble at a Marine Corps base in northern Virginia next week for an unscheduled meeting, an unusual move that has raised questions inside the Pentagon.

The gathering, scheduled for Tuesday at Quantico, will bring together generals and admirals of one-star rank or higher, along with senior advisers, according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke to the Associated Press. The directive did not include a reason for the meeting. The people, who described the move as extraordinary, were not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity.

Vice President JD Vance said Thursday the gathering is “not particularly unusual.” Asked about it during an Oval Office appearance, President Donald Trump appeared unaware of the details and said, “I’ll be there if they want me but why is that such a big deal?”

It was unclear whether the White House was involved in the decision or if the president would attend. Those within the U.S. military overseas have reportedly expressed concerns about the sudden call back home, with some having to travel thousands of miles on short notice without explanation, rather than using secure video or phone lines to meet.

Across the services, roughly 800 generals and admirals hold positions of authority, commanding troops around the globe in multiple time zones.

Sep 25, 2025 at 06:06 PM EDT

European diplomats privately tell Kremlin they are ready to shoot down aircraft: Report

European diplomats warned the Kremlin, during a tense meeting in Moscow this week, that NATO allies are ready to shoot down Russian aircraft if there are any further violations of their airspace, Bloomberg reports.

Following the meeting, the British, French and German diplomats concluded that the violations had been deliberate.

The envoys gave Russian officials a forceful warning that they will meet future incursions with full force.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Thursday that he’s coordinating with France, Poland and the U.K. and supports “all measures necessary.”

Sep 25, 2025 at 05:46 PM EDT

Denmark may trigger NATO Article 4 over drones chaos: ‘Hybrid attack’

Danish defense minister Troels Lund Poulsen said a recent wave of disruptive drone flights near the NATO ally's airports and military installations are a "hybrid attack" and Denmark was considering activating NATO's Article 4 in response.

Article 4 calls for consultations between NATO members if, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the parties is threatened.

The appearance of drones over Denmark comes days after Poland, Romania and Estonia complained of airspace violations by Russian forces, raising tension between the NATO alliance members and the Russian military operating in Ukraine.

Russia denied responsibility for those incursions by drones and aircraft and Danish officials said they did not know who was flying drones over Denmark this week.

Police in Denmark said drones were sighted over the course of approximately five hours overnight from Wednesday into Thursday at Aalborg airport, causing its closure, and at smaller airports at Sønderborg and Esbjerg. Drones were also seen at the Skrydstrup Air Station of the Danish Air Force and the barracks of the Jydske Dragoon Regiment in Holstebro.

It followed a drone incident on Tuesday night at Copenhagen airport, which caused major disruption to flights. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she could not rule out the possibility that Russia was behind the drone attack, an accusation Moscow said was unfounded.

Read in full from Shane Croucher on Newsweek.

Sep 25, 2025 at 05:36 PM EDT

WATCH: Trump says NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircraft violating their airspace

Sep 25, 2025 at 05:26 PM EDT

Alaska air defense identification zone where NORAD intercepted Russian planes today

Sep 25, 2025 at 05:17 PM EDT

Drone downed, detonated 800 meters from Ukrainian nuclear power plant

A drone was downed and detonated within around 800 meters of Ukraine’s South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant last night, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said.

The plant observed 22 drones within its monitoring zones overnight, some as close as 500 meters from the active nuclear plant.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi warned that the incident was the latest in a series of nuclear safety close calls during the Ukraine-Russia war.

“Once again drones are flying far too close to nuclear power plants, putting nuclear safety at risk. Fortunately, last night’s incident did not result in any damage to the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant itself. Next time we may not be so lucky. I continue to urge both sides to show maximum military restraint around all important nuclear facilities,” he said.

The IAEA team reported hearing explosions at around 1 a.m. local time, which was when they discovered the downed drone in a one meter-deep crater. Surrounding vehicles and a regional power line had been damaged but there was no impact on nuclear safety, the agency said.

“For more than three and a half years, the IAEA has been doing everything in its power to help prevent a nuclear accident during this devastating war. We will only be able to say that our mission was successful if the war ends without a serious nuclear accident. Our indispensable work is far from finished,” Grossi said.

Sep 25, 2025 at 05:03 PM EDT

‘There would be war,’ warns Moscow ambassador if NATO shoots down Russian planes

Russia’s ambassador to France Alexey Meshkov warned that there would be war if NATO shoots down Russian planes violating alliance member's air spaces.

"There would be war. What else could there be?" Meshkov said on RTL radio, according to Russia's state-owned media Tass. "Quite a few planes violate our airspace, accidentally and not accidentally. No one shoots them down," the ambassador added.

Moscow has denied deliberately invading European air space, while Meshkov says that NATO has not provided "any material evidence" that Russia was involved with the repeated drone incursions.

"We're not playing games with anyone," he warned, adding that "the West has deceived us so many times, we believe only the hard facts."

President Donald Trump recently showed support for NATO shooting down Russian aircraft if they invaded their air space, although he did not confirm if the United States would assist its allies, telling reporters, it "depends on the circumstances."

Sep 25, 2025 at 04:44 PM EDT

Russian bombers, fighter jets intercepted near Alaska

The United States and Canada scrambled multiple aircraft to track Russian military planes flying near Alaska on Wednesday.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said that its aircraft tracked two Tupolev Tu-95 four-engine strategic bombers and two Sukhoi Su-35 air defense fighters in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

NORAD, a joint U.S.-Canadian command, said it dispatched an E-3 Sentry surveillance plane, four F-16 Fighting Falcons and four KC-135 aerial tankers to intercept the Russian aircraft, which remained in international airspace.

It comes days after Estonia said that Russian aircraft had breached the NATO member’s airspace.

Read in full from Brendan Cole on Newsweek.

Sep 25, 2025 at 04:29 PM EDT

U.S. Energy chief calls Russian gas cutoff key to ending war

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Thursday that halting Russia’s natural gas exports to Europe is the most effective immediate tool Washington can use to pressure Moscow over its war in Ukraine. In an interview cited by Reuters, Wright explained that gas is more difficult to smuggle than oil due to the infrastructure required for transport, such as pipelines and LNG terminals.

“Natural gas is one that’s easier,” Wright said, pointing to Russia’s five major pipelines into Europe. “You stop the gas sales going out of those five pipelines coming into Europe to zero, [Russia is] not going to get that revenue.”

His comments align with President Donald Trump’s recent UN address, where Trump criticized NATO countries for continuing to buy Russian energy while opposing Russia militarily. Wright said his recent trip to Europe aimed to reassure allies that U.S. LNG exports could replace Russian supply: “We can supply all the gas that currently comes from Russia.”

Wright also addressed concerns about India and China’s continued purchases of Russian oil. He acknowledged the difficulty of curbing India’s imports, despite U.S. tariffs imposed in August, and said dialogue with China on the issue is ongoing.

Sep 25, 2025 at 04:17 PM EDT

Lavrov accuses Nato and EU of waging war through Ukraine; UK dismisses claim

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused NATO and the European Union of using Ukraine to wage war against Russia during a speech at a G20 foreign ministers meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations on Thursday. Lavrov claimed the West had provoked the conflict and was now “directly involved” in a “real war” against his country.

The remarks, consistent with past Russian rhetoric, were delivered in front of global diplomats, underscoring Moscow’s hardened stance more than three years into its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper sharply rebuked Lavrov’s comments, calling them “false fantasy world distortions” and condemning Russia’s “unprovoked war of aggression.” European foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also urged international pressure on Moscow, warning that Russia’s aim to subjugate Ukraine remains unchanged.

Lavrov did not address recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who earlier this week mocked Russia’s battlefield performance and said Ukraine could reclaim all occupied territory. Russian forces currently control roughly 20% of Ukraine, with fighting ongoing in the east.

Sep 25, 2025 at 04:09 PM EDT

Trump expresses deep frustration with Putin over Ukraine war

President Donald Trump voiced criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying he is “very disappointed” by Moscow’s continued refusal to end its war against Ukraine. In recent remarks, Trump highlighted the staggering human and financial toll of the conflict, noting that despite intense bombardment, Russia has made virtually no territorial gains.

“They lost like a million soldiers,” Trump said, emphasizing the futility of recent offensives. He stopped short of labeling Russia a “paper tiger,” but underscored the waste of resources and lives. “I think it’s time to stop. I really do,” he added.

Sep 25, 2025 at 04:00 PM EDT

Zelensky signals he may step down after war ends

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday he is prepared to leave office once Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is over, telling Axios that elections are not his goal. “My goal is to finish the war,” he said, adding that he wanted to serve during a time of crisis to help his country.

Zelensky, elected in 2019, has seen Ukraine’s scheduled 2024 election postponed under martial law. Critics, including U.S. President Donald Trump, previously accused him of consolidating power, but Zelensky now says Ukrainians may want “a leader with a new mandate” after the war.

He also suggested elections could be held during a cease-fire, even without a complete peace agreement. Zelensky met with Trump this week at the United Nations, where both leaders expressed a desire for improved relations. Trump later called Russia a “paper tiger” and predicted Ukraine could reclaim all occupied territory.

Currently, about 20% of Ukraine remains under Russian control.

Sep 25, 2025 at 03:51 PM EDT

Kremlin suggests Trump’s rhetoric aims to influence foreign leaders

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov has suggested that U.S. President Donald Trump’s sharp remarks toward Russia may be intended to appeal to foreign leaders, particularly during high-level meetings at the United Nations General Assembly.

“There are public statements, and there are contacts through closed channels,” Ushakov said, noting that Moscow monitors all signals from Washington regarding the war in Ukraine.

Ushakov speculated that Trump’s tough stance could be strategic: “To some extent, maybe he is playing to them,” he said of Trump’s interactions with other world leaders.

Trump recently told Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that Russia must end its war against Ukraine, citing over 7,800 deaths in a single week and criticizing Russia’s costly military efforts with little territorial gain.

The Kremlin has repeatedly rejected ceasefire proposals from the U.S. and Ukraine, including partial measures. In response, Trump said Putin had “let him down” and declared their past relationship irrelevant. He added that Ukraine could reclaim all lost territory with European support, pointing to Russia’s economic strain.

Sep 25, 2025 at 03:37 PM EDT

Russia and China push UN vote to delay Iran sanctions

Russia and China have requested a United Nations Security Council vote to postpone the reimposition of sanctions on Iran by six months, diplomats confirmed Thursday. The move comes as UN sanctions are set to resume tomorrow, following a 30-day process initiated by the UK, France, and Germany over Iran’s alleged violations of the 2015 nuclear agreement.

The proposed resolution will be brought before the 15-member council on Friday and requires at least nine votes in favor, with no vetoes from Britain, France, or the United States.

Western powers have offered Iran a six-month delay—conditional on restoring UN nuclear inspector access, addressing enriched uranium concerns, and engaging in talks with Washington. However, diplomats say chances of a deal remain slim.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking at the UN this week, sharply criticized Israel, further complicating diplomatic efforts. French President Emmanuel Macron warned that Iran has only “hours left” to reach an agreement.

Sep 25, 2025 at 03:27 PM EDT

Germany warns of rising Russian threat in space

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius raised alarms on Thursday over Russia’s expanding space warfare capabilities, citing recent activity involving two Russian satellites that shadowed Intelsat systems used by German forces and others.

Speaking at a space conference in Berlin, Pistorius said both Russia and China have rapidly advanced technologies that can disrupt, blind, manipulate, or destroy satellites. He emphasized the importance of international dialogue in developing defensive space capabilities as a deterrent.

Pistorius specifically referenced Russia’s Luch Olymp satellites, which have been observed tracking Intelsat assets, calling the behavior a growing concern for national and allied security.

Sep 25, 2025 at 03:21 PM EDT

Rep. Mike Turner pushes for immediate vote on Russia sanctions bill

House Republican Mike Turner is urging congressional leaders to swiftly bring bipartisan sanctions legislation targeting Russia and its trading partners to a vote. The push follows Turner’s recent visit to Kyiv, where he met with Ukrainian defense officials and assessed the country’s battlefield resilience.

Turner, a former chair of the House Intelligence Committee, echoed President Donald Trump’s view that Ukraine could reclaim lost territory—with sufficient international support. He emphasized that Russia’s industrial capacity, fueled by foreign trade, remains Ukraine’s biggest obstacle.

The proposed bill, led by Sens. Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, would impose steep tariffs on nations purchasing Russian energy and uranium. Turner called the measure essential to weakening Russia’s war economy: “The only way to impact that is to turn the spigot off.”

Turner sent a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday, urging immediate action. While Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune have expressed support for new sanctions, neither has committed to a floor vote. Turner predicted the bill would pass overwhelmingly but declined to say whether he’d force a vote.

Sep 25, 2025 at 03:10 PM EDT

Russian Navy ship caught lurking off Denmark’s coast as drones attack

...

Danish authorities have reported the sighting of a Russian warship on the edge of Danish waters with its tracking system turned off, indicating it is likely trying to avoid detection, according to Danish outlet Ekstra Bladet.

A helicopter spotted the Russian vessel, identified as the landing vessel Aleksandr Shabalin, off the coast of Langeland, Denmark.

The vessel has been sailing along Danish waters while Denmark also has suffered what officials have labelled a "hybrid attack" of drones flying through the country's airspace and disrupting the operations of critical infrastructure, prompting Denmark to invoke NATO Article 4.

The drone incursions over a two different days forced the closure of major airports, including Aalborg airport, which is used for military and commercial flights, according to Reuters. All airports had resumed normal operations by Thursday morning.

Read the full story by Peter Aitken on Newsweek.

Sep 25, 2025 at 03:03 PM EDT

U.S. jets intercept Russian aircraft near Alaska amid rising tensions

The United States deployed four F-16 fighter jets, a surveillance plane, and four tankers to intercept Russian bombers and fighters that entered Alaska’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

The incident follows President Donald Trump’s recent call for NATO to shoot down Russian aircraft violating allied airspace, citing repeated incursions in recent weeks.

NORAD clarified that the Russian planes remained in international airspace and posed no immediate threat. Such flights are routine, with at least nine similar encounters reported this year. The last known Russian entry into Alaska’s ADIZ occurred on August 26 near the Aleutian Islands.

The ADIZ is a buffer zone beyond U.S. sovereign airspace where foreign aircraft must identify themselves to avoid escalation.

Sep 25, 2025 at 02:54 PM EDT

Russia denies responsibility for drones incidents in Denmark

Moscow has denied any involvement in the drones that have been spotted across critical Danish infrastructure in recent days.

"The Russian side flatly rejects absurd allegations about [its alleged] role in the incidents," the Russian diplomatic mission announced on Telegram.

The Russian Embassy in Denmark added that the incidents were a "staged provocation."

They did not address the Russian landing ship that was spotted Thursday lurking off the Danish coast with its tracing signal turned off.

Sep 25, 2025 at 02:52 PM EDT

NATO chief backs Trump on response to Russian airspace violations

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has endorsed President Donald Trump’s call for a firm response to Russian jets entering alliance airspace, saying he “totally agrees” that military action could be necessary.

Speaking on Fox and Friends, Rutte emphasized that NATO forces are trained to evaluate whether to escort intruding aircraft or escalate further. His remarks mark a shift from earlier in the week, when he had taken a more reserved stance during United Nations meetings dominated by discussions on Gaza, Ukraine, and Russian threats.

Sep 25, 2025 at 02:36 PM EDT

Map shows territories covered by NATO and Article 5

Sep 25, 2025 at 02:34 PM EDT

Map shows control of territory in Russia-Ukraine war

Sep 25, 2025 at 02:33 PM EDT

Russia seeks support to stabilize Arctic Council amid growing cooperation

The Russian Foreign Ministry says that it will continue efforts to stabilize the Arctic Council, TASS reports. It expects support from observer states, according to Vladislav Maslennikov, Director of the Department of European Affairs. Speaking at the “Northern Sea Route — 500 Years from Now” session during World Atomic Week in Moscow, Maslennikov emphasized Russia’s commitment to improving the organization’s dynamics.

He noted that observer states are contributing constructively to Arctic Council projects and that cooperation with Russia in the region is expanding. “Now is the time to work, not wait for the weather to change,” Maslennikov said, underscoring a shared urgency among member states.

World Atomic Week, hosted by Rosatom from September 25 to 28, marks the 80th anniversary of Russia’s nuclear industry. The event has attracted participants from over 100 countries, including representatives from international organizations, government officials, scientists, and students.

Sep 25, 2025 at 02:25 PM EDT

Olena Zelenska meets Melania Trump

Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska met with U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, expressing gratitude for her support of Ukraine and shared dedication to children’s welfare. In a statement posted on social media, Zelenska said that they share common values: “care for the younger generation and the right of every child to a happy and fulfilling childhood.”

She thanked Melania Trump for her attention to those impacted by Russia’s war in Ukraine and voiced hope that their collaboration could help safeguard the future. The meeting underscores ongoing humanitarian efforts amid the conflict.

View this post on X

Sep 25, 2025 at 02:21 PM EDT

Russia-Ukraine war control of territory: Map

Sep 25, 2025 at 02:07 PM EDT

Russian landing ship caught lurking off Denmark coast: Report

A Russian landing vessel has been detected off the coast of Langeland, Denmark, with its Automatic Identification System (AIS) switched off, according to local news outlet Ekstrabladet.

The Aleksandr Shabalin is part of Russia's Naval Baltic Fleet, which is based in Kaliningrad.

The ship has been stopped close to Danish waters, between the southern tip of Langeland and Lolland, for several days, local media reports. While there, it has had its AIS signal off meaning it could not be tracked and did not appear on global ship databases.

Its discovery comes after multiple reports of drone incidents at critical Danish infrastructure such as military bases and airports in recent days. The drones have not caused any damage or injuries but has sparked concerns over Danish defenses.

Sep 25, 2025 at 01:51 PM EDT

NATO warned Russia it would defend ‘every inch of allied territory’ after drone incursions

NATO warned Russia on Tuesday that it was prepared to defend "every inch of allied territory" after Estonia said that Russian fighter jets had violated its airspace last week.

"The North Atlantic Council met this morning and strongly condemned Russia’s dangerous violation of Estonian airspace on Friday. Our posture – on land, at sea and in the air – is serving us well. NATO stands ready & willing to defend every inch of Allied territory," NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Tuesday.

The Russian drone incursion into Estonian air space followed a similar incident in Poland earlier this month, where around 20 drones from Moscow entered Polish airspace.

Drones have been an ongoing problems for the NATO member Baltic countries such as Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, that border Russia.

View this post on X

Sep 25, 2025 at 01:32 PM EDT

NATO nation ready to shoot down Russian planes

Sweden would shoot down Russian fighter jets if its airspace was violated, NATO’s newest member said this week.

"Sweden will defend its airspace," Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson told the newspaper Aftonbladet.

Newsweek has contacted the Russian Defense Ministry and NATO for comment.

Sweden joined NATO in March 2024, marking the expansion of the alliance due to security concerns caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Jonson’s remarks reflect the growing concerns in the alliance about how to respond to the threat posed by Russia which is accused of breaching the airspace of NATO’s eastern flank members Poland, Romania with drones and Estonia with fighter jets.

Jonson told the Swedish newspaper that no country had the right to violate his country’s airspace, which Stockholm would defend “by force if necessary.”

He said that under Swedish IKFN regulations, which relate to responses to violations of Swedish territory, his government had the right to use weapons if necessary, “with or without warning."

Read in full from Brendan Cole on Newsweek.

Sep 25, 2025 at 01:30 PM EDT

What are Trump’s latest comments on the Russia-Ukraine war?

Donald Trump surprised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday, by urging Ukraine to take back all its territory taken by Russia during the war, and “go even further than that”.

Trump's comments are in stark contrast to his position just last month where he urged Zelensky to accept Russia's terms for a ceasefire, and welcomed Vladimir Putin to Alaska for a face-to-face meeting.

This week, Trump posted on Truth Social that, "After getting to know and fully understand the Ukraine/Russia Military and Economic situation and, after seeing the Economic trouble it is causing Russia, I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form.

"With time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and, in particular, NATO, the original Borders from where this War started, is very much an option. Why not? Russia has been fighting aimlessly for three and a half years a War that should have taken a Real Military Power less than a week to win. This is not distinguishing Russia.

"In fact, it is very much making them look like “a paper tiger.” When the people living in Moscow, and all of the Great Cities, Towns, and Districts all throughout Russia, find out what is really going on with this War, the fact that it’s almost impossible for them to get Gasoline through the long lines that are being formed, and all of the other things that are taking place in their War Economy, where most of their money is being spent on fighting Ukraine, which has Great Spirit, and only getting better, Ukraine would be able to take back their Country in its original form and, who knows, maybe even go further than that! Putin and Russia are in BIG Economic trouble, and this is the time for Ukraine to act. In any event, I wish both Countries well. We will continue to supply weapons to NATO for NATO to do what they want with them. Good luck to all! "

Sep 25, 2025 at 01:11 PM EDT

Russian strike triggers power outage for 30,000 in Chernihiv region

Approximately 30,000 residents in Ukraine’s northern city of Chernihiv and nearby areas are without electricity following a Russian strike on critical infrastructure, a local official reported Tuesday.

The attack sparked a fire but resulted in no casualties, according to a statement shared via Telegram. Emergency crews are working to assess the damage and restore power to affected households.

Sep 25, 2025 at 01:06 PM EDT

When did Russia invade Ukraine?

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, marking the largest military attack in Europe since World War II.

In the early hours of that day, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation," and soon after, Russian forces crossed the border from multiple directions, including from Russia, Belarus, and occupied Crimea. Major Ukrainian cities — including Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Mariupol — came under missile and artillery strikes, while armored columns pushed deep into Ukrainian territory.

This escalation followed months of military buildup along Ukraine’s borders and years of rising tension between Moscow and Kyiv. In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea after a disputed referendum and backed separatist movements in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions. That sparked an eight-year conflict in the Donbas, which killed more than 14,000 people before the 2022 invasion.

Sep 25, 2025 at 01:04 PM EDT

What countries are part of NATO? What to know about the alliance

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a military alliance formed in 1949 to promote collective defense and security among member states. As of 2025, NATO includes 32 countries across North America and Europe.

The founding members were the United States, Canada, and ten European nations: Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. Over the decades, NATO has expanded to include countries from Eastern Europe and the Balkans, with Finland and Sweden being the most recent additions.

Membership in NATO means a commitment to mutual defense under Article 5 of the alliance’s charter—an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. The alliance also engages in crisis management, cooperative security, and political consultation among its members.

Here’s the full list of NATO member countries as of 2025, in alphabetical order:

• Albania
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Canada
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Montenegro
• Netherlands
• North Macedonia
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Turkey
• United Kingdom
• United States

Sep 25, 2025 at 01:03 PM EDT

Is Ukraine part of NATO?

Ukraine is not a member of NATO, despite long-standing aspirations to join the Western military alliance.

Since the 1990s, Kyiv has deepened cooperation with NATO through joint exercises, training programs and political dialogue, but full membership has remained out of reach.

At the heart of the issue is the war with Russia. Admitting Ukraine now would trigger NATO’s Article 5 collective defense clause, potentially drawing all member states into direct conflict with Moscow. This reality has made allies cautious, even as they ramp up military and financial support for Ukraine’s defense.

NATO leaders have repeatedly stressed that Ukraine’s future lies within the alliance. At the July 2023 summit in Vilnius, officials reaffirmed their commitment to eventual membership but stopped short of setting a timetable. Instead, they created a NATO-Ukraine Council to bolster political ties and pledged long-term security assistance.

Another hurdle has been reform. NATO expects prospective members to strengthen democratic institutions, tackle corruption and modernize their armed forces. While Ukraine has made progress, particularly since Russia’s first invasion in 2014, alliance leaders say more work is needed before accession can happen.

Consensus among the 31 member states is also required for any new admission. Some capitals remain wary of moving too quickly, fearing escalation with Russia and questioning how Ukraine’s ongoing conflict could be squared with NATO’s collective defense obligations.

Despite these obstacles, NATO’s position is clear: Ukraine will one day become a member. For now, however, the timeline remains uncertain — hinging on the outcome of the war and Kyiv’s ability to complete the reforms demanded by the alliance.

Sep 25, 2025 at 12:59 PM EDT

Mark Rutte says NATO and US ‘working together every day’ to help boost eastern flank security, and defend Ukraine

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said he'd had a "great catch up" with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday as NATO and the U.S. continue to work closely to achieve their shared goals.

"Whether ensuring the security of our eastern flank, driving investment & innovation in our capabilities, or getting Ukraine the essential support they need to defend their freedom, #NATO and the US are working together every day to deliver," Rutte wrote in a post on X.

View this post on X

Sep 25, 2025 at 12:56 PM EDT

Did NATO declare war on Russia? What to know

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has publicly said that NATO and the European Union have declared war on Russia through their support of Ukraine. The remark was shared via a public Telegram board.

“NATO and the EU, through Ukraine, have declared war on Russia and are directly participating in it,” Lavrov said, according to the excerpt.

Neither NATO nor the EU has issued a formal declaration of war.

Sep 25, 2025 at 12:51 PM EDT

Trump urges Erdogan to cut Russian oil imports during White House meeting

During a high-profile meeting at the White House, President Donald Trump pressed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to halt oil purchases from Russia, reiterating a message he delivered earlier this week at the United Nations.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump described Erdogan as “opinionated” and “likable,” but made clear his disapproval of Turkey’s energy ties with Moscow. “I’d like him to stop buying oil from Russia,” Trump said, echoing his UN remarks where he called European reliance on Russian energy “embarrassing.”

Trump also condemned Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, labeling it “disgraceful” and denouncing the “unnecessary killings.” He added pointedly, “Putin ought to stop.”

Sep 25, 2025 at 12:49 PM EDT

Russia claims NATO plotting Ukraine ‘landing’, Moldova ‘occupation’

Russia has said it believes NATO is plotting a "landing" in Ukraine as part of a bid by the European Union to "occupy" Moldova.

The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) claimed NATO military units were massing in Romania close to the Moldovan border and were also planning a "landing" in Ukraine's Odesa region, according to TASS, Moscow's state news agency.

Moldova goes to the polls on Sunday in a critical parliamentary election. The vote is seen as a stark choice for the country between a path to EU membership or closer ties with Moscow. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moldova applied to join the EU. It was given candidate status later that year and, in 2024, the EU agreed to open accession negotiations, further increasing tensions with Russia.

The Russian intelligence report said that the EU was "determined to keep Moldova within the framework of their Russophobic policies."

"This is planned to be done at any cost, including the deployment of troops and the de facto occupation of the country. At this stage, NATO military units are concentrating in Romania near the Moldovan border," the report stated.

"A NATO 'landing' is being prepared in Ukraine's Odesa region to intimidate Transnistria. According to available information, the first group of career military personnel from France and Great Britain has already arrived."

Read in full from Barney Henderson on Newsweek.

Sep 25, 2025 at 12:45 PM EDT

Trump says Erdogan could play key role in Ukraine-Russia peace talks

President Donald Trump has suggested that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan could serve as a pivotal mediator in potential peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. Speaking to reporters, Trump emphasized Erdogan’s standing with both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling him “very respected” and “very neutral.”

Erdogan has repeatedly offered to host direct talks in Istanbul, a venue previously used for negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow in 2022 and again earlier this year, though those efforts failed to produce a lasting agreement.

While acknowledging Erdogan’s diplomatic potential, Trump added that the most impactful move Turkey could make would be to halt purchases of Russian oil and gas.

Trump also revealed his own efforts to broker dialogue, including a proposed summit between Zelenskyy and Putin following his hosting of the Russian leader in Alaska. However, during a recent visit to the UK, Trump expressed disappointment in Putin’s actions, saying the Russian president had “let him down.”

In a notable shift at the United Nations this week, Trump stated for the first time that he believes Ukraine could reclaim all territory lost to Russia since the start of the war.

Sep 25, 2025 at 12:41 PM EDT

Russian MFA claims NATO, not Ukraine, seeks control of disputed territories

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has accused NATO members of pursuing strategic interests in Ukrainian territories referenced by President Vladimir Zelensky, alleging that Western powers—not Ukrainians—are driving the conflict.

In a statement posted to Telegram on September 25, ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claimed Zelensky’s insistence on reclaiming lost regions is less about national sovereignty and more about satisfying NATO ambitions. She singled out Britain and other alliance members as actively undermining peace efforts, echoing tactics seen in 2022.

Zakharova criticized Zelensky for allegedly disregarding the people living in these contested areas, suggesting his rhetoric treats them as expendable. She questioned the true value of the territories, arguing that widespread emigration and reluctance to fight indicate a lack of public support for continued military engagement.

“The real desire of those left in Ukraine,” she wrote, “is not to defend these lands, but to see the war’s architects held accountable.”

Her remarks reflect Russia’s broader narrative that Western influence is prolonging the war, while Kyiv’s leadership remains disconnected from its citizens’ priorities.

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