A top European Union official has warned the United States against interfering in European affairs. European Council President António Costa was reacting Monday to the Trump administration's new national security strategy. The document criticizes European allies and offers tacit support to far-right parties in Europe. Costa emphasized that only European citizens can choose their political leaders. The strategy released Friday questions Europe's free speech and migration policies. It underlines the importance of ending Russia's war in Ukraine and improving U.S.-Russia relations. But Costa says it focuses chiefly on the end of hostilities rather than peace and on the stability of relations with Russia.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have met their Australian counterparts for annual talks focused on Indo-Pacific security and countering China's increasing assertiveness in the region. Rubio, Hegseth, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defense Minister Richard Marles gathered Monday at the State Department. None of them mentioned China by name in their brief comments to reporters before the formal meeting began, but the challenges posed by Beijing have been a central theme of the U.S.-Australia relationship in recent years. They discussed progress in the AUKUS pact, a Biden administration-era agreement under which the U.S., Britain and Australia committed to building nuclear submarines for the Australians.
Thailand and Cambodia have resumed fighting over disputed territory, just months after agreeing to a ceasefire. The two nations clashed in July, resulting in civilian and military deaths and mass evacuations. On Monday, heavy fighting broke out again, with Thailand launching airstrikes. The conflict stems from a 1907 map and a contentious 1962 court ruling favoring Cambodia. A ceasefire brokered by the U.S. in July proved to be fragile, with both sides accusing each other of violations. The renewed fighting threatens tourism, a key industry for both countries. Long-standing cultural tensions also fuel the conflict.
By JILL LAWLESS and ILLIA NOVIKOV Associated Press
Updated
British, French and German leaders met in London with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a show of European support for Kyiv at what they called a "critical moment" in the U.S.-led effort to end Russia's war in Ukraine. Afterward, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Zelenskyy and the other leaders called their European allies to urge them to keep economic pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelenskyy earlier said discussions were focused on security, air defense and long-term funding. A spokesman for the British prime minister said "intensive work" will continue, although "outstanding issues" remain. Russia continues to attack Ukraine, killing at least four people, while Russian air defenses destroyed 67 Ukrainian drones overnight.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an annual summit, focusing on diversifying economic ties. The 23rd Russia-India Summit comes as the U.S. pushes for a Ukraine peace deal and global cooperation. On Thursday, Modi greeted Putin in New Delhi with a warm welcome. After the talks, both leaders announced a program to boost trade to $100 billion by 2030, emphasizing strong energy ties. India aims to bridge trade deficits by increasing exports. The U.S. is pressuring India to reduce its Russian oil imports, citing concerns over financing Moscow's war efforts.
Talks between Russia and the U.S. on ending the nearly four-year war in Ukraine were productive, but much work remains. Yuri Ushakov, a senior adviser to President Vladimir Putin, spoke to reporters on Tuesday after a lengthy session at the Kremlin. Putin met U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner as part of a renewed push by the Trump administration to broker a peace deal. Both sides agreed not to disclose the substance of the talks.
By BARRY HATTON and ISOBEL KOSHIW Associated Press
Officials say progress was made in urgent weekend talks on amending the U.S. peace proposal for Ukraine that many saw as favoring Russia. But the Kremlin on Monday said it hadn't seen the changes. Washington's 28-point plan presented last week caused alarm by heavily aligning with Moscow's demands in the nearly four-year war caused by its invasion. The plan pressed Ukraine to hand over some territory to Russia and reduce its army. It also sought Europe's agreement that Ukraine will never be admitted into NATO. President Donald Trump now says that "something good just may be happening" in peace talks.
An American proposal to end the war in Ukraine puts the country in a delicate diplomatic position — caught between placating its most important ally, the United States, and not capitulating to Russia, its much larger neighbor that launched a full-scale invasion nearly four years ago. The 28-point peace plan was crafted by the U.S. and the Kremlin, without Ukrainian involvement. It acquiesces to many Russian demands that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has categorically rejected on dozens of occasions, including giving up large pieces of territory.
The U.N. Security Council is set to vote on a U.S. plan for Gaza, but a big question remains: Will Russia veto it? The U.S. resolution would provide international backing for a stabilization force and envisions a possible future pathway to an independent Palestinian state. After nearly two weeks of negotiations on the U.S. resolution, Russia suddenly circulated a rival proposal late Thursday that would strip out reference to a transitional authority meant to be headed by President Donald Trump. The vote is a crucial next step for the fragile ceasefire and efforts to outline Gaza's future following two years of war between Israel and Hamas.
