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🇺🇦 Ukraine - 🇫🇷 France - 🇬🇧 United Kingdom • Towards an international reassurance force

26 countries, mainly European, have announced their willingness to deploy in Ukraine "on land, at sea, or in the air" as part of a future ceasefire with Russia. The decision was taken today in Paris at a summit attended by around 35 leaders, including President Volodymyr Zelensky. The meeting, organized at the initiative of Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer, aimed to finalize robust security guarantees for Kiev.

This "coalition of the willing," which includes some 30 states providing military support to Ukraine, has committed to establishing a "reassurance force" capable of supporting the stability of a ceasefire. The French president assured that the allies were "ready," stressing the importance of a coordinated and multifaceted presence on Ukrainian territory, as well as in its maritime and airspace.

The summit also marked a key diplomatic milestone with the United States. Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky held a videoconference with Donald Trump, alongside other key European leaders. According to the Élysée Palace, the US president gave his agreement in principle to support the security guarantees currently being drawn up. Macron said they would be finalized "in the coming days" and threatened new joint sanctions against Moscow if Russia continued to refuse a negotiated peace.

On the sidelines of the summit, Zelensky met with Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump's special envoy. The Ukrainian head of state described his direct exchange with the US president as "long" and "precise." He reiterated that peace would come through weakening the Russian military apparatus by cutting off its funding and sources of resources.

IN SHORT

🇮🇱 Israel – 🇵🇸 Palestine • The Israeli army is preparing an offensive on Gaza City and expects the exodus of one million inhabitants. The IDF controls nearly 75% of the enclave and wants to seize Hamas' last major stronghold. A Guardian investigation reveals that only a quarter of the 6,000 Gazan detainees are classified as combatants by Israel, with the majority being civilians, including children, the sick, and the elderly, held without trial in conditions denounced as abusive. The Guardian

🇮🇷 Iran • The IAEA reports that Tehran has accelerated the production of uranium enriched to 60%, a level close to the 90% threshold required for nuclear weapons. As of June 13, stocks stood at 440.9 kg, up 32.3 kg from May. This finding precedes the “12-day war” launched by Israel, which led Iran to suspend its cooperation with the UN agency, deeming its silence in the face of Israeli and American strikes “regrettable.” Despite these tensions, Tehran says it remains open to discussions with Washington. RFI

🇨🇳 China • Beijing unveiled its new DF-5C and DF-61 intercontinental missiles during its military parade this week, illustrating its growing nuclear ambitions. These missiles, capable of carrying multiple warheads, strengthen deterrence against US missile defenses. The parade showcased a complete nuclear triad (air, sea, land), reminiscent of Cold War practices. The Pentagon estimates that China could have 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030.

🇫🇷 France • Paris is testing the markets by seeking to raise up to €11 billion through 10-30 year bonds, its first issue since François Bayrou's vote of confidence. The political crisis and uncertainty over the future of the government have pushed the spread between French and German rates to its highest level since January. With the eurozone's heaviest debt burden, the prime minister's expected failure would reinforce doubts about the country's ability to reduce its deficit, while rates are flirting with 14-year highs. Bloomberg

🇺🇸 United States - 🇻🇪 Venezuela • Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of thousands of sailors, troops, and warships to the Caribbean to target the Maduro government, accused of running a vast drug trafficking network. Washington claims to have struck a boat from Venezuela, killing 11 “terrorists.” Caracas denounced an “immoral” attempt at regime change and mobilized the army and militias. China, Russia, and Iran condemned the operation, while Brazil and Colombia warned of the risk of regional destabilization.

🇳🇴 Norway • Next Monday's parliamentary election promises to be unprecedented, with the country's huge $2 trillion sovereign wealth fund becoming an international issue. After controversial investments in Israeli companies, Oslo ordered divestments, including Caterpillar, triggering Washington's anger. The return of Jens Stoltenberg as future finance minister has revived the Labour Party and boosted Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre's chances, at a time when public opinion is more critical of Washington and the delicate announcement of the Nobel Peace Prize (which Donald Trump is eager to win) looms large.

🇬🇾 Guyana • President Irfaan Ali claimed victory in the general election after the electoral commission awarded his party more than 242,000 votes out of 438,000, or more than 55% of the vote. His party is expected to win 36 or 37 seats out of 65, strengthening its majority. The opposition and the new WIN party are contesting the results and demanding a recount. This second term would place Ali at the heart of an economy boosted by oil, revenues expected to reach $10 billion per year by 2030.

🇨🇩 DRC – 🇶🇦 Qatar • The Al Mansour Holding fund promises $21 billion in investments in the DRC, covering the mining, agriculture, fishing, livestock, and health sectors. This announcement is part of Doha's African tour, which is increasing its financial commitments to boost its influence and secure resources, while also playing a mediating role in the crisis in eastern Congo.

🇦🇫 Afghanistan • The earthquake that struck the country on Sunday evening has killed more than 2,200 people, according to the latest figures released today by the authorities. This earthquake is the deadliest in Afghanistan's recent history.

CONFLICTS

  • Palestine - 84 people killed in the last 24 hours (Gaza Ministry of Health). Around 70,000 residents have fled Gaza City, while 200,000 are refusing to leave (Haaretz).

  • Ukraine - “Russia has no intention of discussing foreign intervention in Ukraine, which would be fundamentally unacceptable and would undermine any form of security, in whatever form or format.” (Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson). Russia also boasts of being a leader in the field of prosthetics due to the war in Ukraine (Russian Ministry of Defense).

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