Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius asserts that NATO partners can lawfully permit Ukraine to use long-range weapons against Russia. He believes international law supports this stance.
Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin's threats, Pistorius dismisses them as mere rhetoric. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the return of 49 prisoners of war from Russia, including Azovstal steel plant defenders from Mariupol.
Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun advocates for negotiations as the only solution to conflicts like the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Germany is also looking to increase oil imports from Kazakhstan, with Chancellor Olaf Scholz's visit focusing on gas supplies from Central Asia.
France summoned Iran's diplomatic representative over ballistic missile deliveries to Russia. The Pentagon considers the Russian counteroffensive in Kursk marginal but notes damage from drone attacks.
Russian parliamentary head Vyacheslav Volodin accuses NATO of involvement in Ukraine. Germany continues to support Ukraine with additional weapon deliveries planned for this year.
The debate over allowing Ukraine to attack Russian targets with long-range weapons intensifies, with German politicians from the FDP and Greens urging support for such measures. Despite these discussions, Germany has not changed its stance on weapon deliveries to Ukraine.
