Fact check: Macron, Merz and Starmer targeted by Russian 'cocaine' claims
Fact check: Macron, Merz and Starmer targeted by Russian 'cocaine' claims
The allegations that the leaders of France, Germany and the UK took drugs while on a train on their way to Kyiv are part of a wider Russian disinformation campaign.
READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2025/05/12/fact-check-macron-merz-and-starmer-targeted-by-russian-cocaine-claims
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Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly unfazed by U.S. President Donald Trumpâs growing pressure to reach a swift resolution in Ukraine. According to the Financial Times, Putin remains "immune" to Trumpâs urgency and insists that peace talks must first address what he calls the âroot causesâ of the conflict.
These include NATOâs eastward expansion, Western military aid to Ukraine, and alleged discrimination against Russian-speaking citizens. The report says Putin conveyed this stance directly during recent calls with Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron. Despite Western efforts to halt the war, Putin blames the conflict on long-standing U.S. and EU policies that transformed Ukraine into an anti-Russia stronghold. As U.S. military aid continues to flow into Ukraine, Moscow warns the conflict will only escalate unless core Russian concerns are recognized and resolved.
#Putin #Trump #UkraineWar #RussiaUkraine #NATOTensions #Zelensky #Macron #Geopolitics #WarInUkraine #RussiaNews #TrumpNews #BidenUkraine #WesternMedia #PeaceTalks #UkraineCrisis #GlobalTensions #Kremlin #UkraineConflict #RootCauses #ModernWar
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Britain and France have unveiled a powerful new nuclear cooperation pact â dubbed the Northward Declaration â pledging deeper coordination of their arsenals amid rising European tensions. British PM Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron announced the agreement in a joint statement, vowing unified deterrence against any "extreme threat" to the continent. Russia reacted sharply, calling the pact part of NATO's "anti-Russian canvas" and warning it would be considered in future military planning. Moscow has condemned the UK-France coordination as a dangerous escalation and an extension of Washington's influence in Europe. With nearly 500 nuclear warheads combined, the UK and Franceâs alignment significantly alters the nuclear landscape in Europe. Macron denied any link to Ukraine but said the pact "sends a message" to allies and enemies alike. Russian Deputy FM Ryabkov warned Moscow will now factor London and Parisâ joint nuclear force into its military strategy.
#UKFranceNuclearPact #NorthwardDeclaration #NATOvsRussia #MacronStarmerNuclear #NuclearDeterrence #RussiaWarning #NuclearAlliance #EuropeNuclearTensions #NuclearBlackmail #MoscowNuclearThreat #NATOPolicy #RussiaUKTensions #FranceRussiaTensions #EuropeanSecurityCrisis #MacronUKNuclearDeal #KeirStarmerMacron #NuclearCoordination #RussiaNuclearResponse #GlobalNuclearArms #NuclearWarRisk
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In a landmark move, the UK and France have signed a historic agreement to coordinate their nuclear forces in response to growing threatsâparticularly from Russia. The pact strengthens joint deterrence capabilities and marks a unified European nuclear posture not seen before. The deal also expands their Joint Expeditionary Force to 50,000 troops. Leaders Macron and Starmer called it a ârenewed visionâ for European security, reaffirming support for Ukraine and warning against easing pressure on Putin as war escalates.
#UKFrancePact #NuclearDeal #StrategicDeterrence #RussiaThreat #EuropeanUnity #StormShadow #Macron #Starmer #NuclearSecurity #JointExpeditionaryForce #UkraineSupport #RomeConference #KyivAllies #DefencePact #PutinWorried #UnifiedEurope #PostWarPlanning #MilitaryCooperation #BreakingNews #GlobalSecurity #FranceUK #CeasefireSupport #EuropeanDefence #CoalitionOfTheWilling #StormShadowMissiles #MacronStarmer #Geopolitics #RomeSummit #NATOPlus #NuclearCooperation
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Iranâs Foreign Ministry has launched a blistering verbal offensive against German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, accusing Berlin of directly supporting Israelâs âwar of aggressionâ against the Islamic Republic. In a fiery statement posted online, senior Iranian official Esmaeil Baqaei slammed Merz for endorsing what he called âatrocity crimesâ and âunprovoked armed attacksâ by Israel, claiming it violated the UN Charterâs Article 2(4). Labeling Germanyâs position as both âillegalâ and âcriminal,â Baqaei said Berlinâs support amounts to âcomplicity in aggressionâ and warned that Germany now bears international legal responsibility. The remarks come as Iran seeks to rally global opinion against Israel following strikes on its territory, and as Tehran accuses Western powers of shielding Israeli actions. Iranâs legal framing of Germanyâs conduct could escalate diplomatic tensions and spark fierce debates at global forums including the UN and ICJ.
#Iran #Germany #Israel #FriedrichMerz #UNCharter #WarCrimes #Tehran #Berlin #InternationalLaw #MiddleEast #Geopolitics #BreakingNews #IranIsrael #ChancellorMerz #IranForeignMinistry #Aggression #Complicity #WarOfAggression #UNViolation #NuclearTensions
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Tensions flared in Germany as pro-Palestinian protesters targeted the office of CDU leader Friedrich Merz, splattering it with red paint in a symbolic act of outrage. The protest followed Merzâs controversial remarks praising Israel for doing the âDirty workâ in Gaza, which drew widespread criticism from activists and rights groups. The incident highlights growing unrest in Europe over the Gaza conflict and rising backlash against political leaders seen as unconditionally supporting Israeli military actions.
#ProPalestinianProtest #FriedrichMerz #MerzControversy #RedPaintProtest #GermanyProtests #PalestineSolidarity #FreePalestine #MerzUnderFire #MerzIsraelComment #GazaWarProtest #StandWithPalestine #ProtestAgainstMerz #IsraelGazaConflict #CDUPolitics #PalestinianRights #BerlinProtests #DirtyWorkRemarks #MerzOfficeVandalized #PalestineProtestsGermany #MiddleEastCrisis
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At a high-stakes summit in Rome, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirmed unwavering European support for Ukraine amid Russiaâs escalating airstrikes. Merz issued a direct warning to PutinââWe will not give upââand urged Donald Trump to maintain transatlantic unity. While Trump approved new weapons, his long-term stance remains unclear. As Kyiv seeks more Patriot systems, Germany considers direct delivery. With 30 nations gathered, the summit focused on rebuilding Ukraine and coordinating air defenses as the war enters a deadlier phase.
#MerzInRome #UkraineSupport #GermanyUkraine #PutinWarning #TransatlanticUnity #RomeSummit #Zelensky #TrumpUkraine #PatriotMissiles #RussiaStrikes #KyivDefense #UkraineRebuild #EuropeStandsWithUkraine #GermanySupport #UkraineWar #AirDefense #GlobalSecurity #UkraineAllies #RomeConference #BreakingNews #RussiaUkraine #MerzVsPutin #TrumpMerz #USGermanyRelations #EuropeUnited #UkraineDonors #RebuildUkraine #StopPutin #KyivUnderAttack #DefendUkraine #PutinEscalation
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Allies need to ramp up arms production, NATO's chief Mark Rutte says in Berlin
The alliance's secretary general underlined that NATO allies need to increase military and defence production after meeting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin.
READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2025/07/09/allies-need-to-ramp-up-arms-production-natos-chief-mark-rutte-says-in-berlin
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Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 01:18Published
Germany's far-right AfD leader Alice Weidel launched a fiery attack on CDU chief Friedrich Merz in parliament, slamming his partyâs support for continued Ukraine funding. In a pointed remark, Weidel accused Merz of hypocrisy, saying, âYou cry poverty, then send billions to Kyiv.â Her speech sparked uproar in the Bundestag, highlighting growing political tensions over Germanyâs role in the Ukraine conflict and the domestic economic fallout.
#AliceWeidel #AfDWeidel #WeidelVsMerz #FriedrichMerz #BundestagClash #AfDvsMerz #MerzSpeech #WeidelSpeech #GermanPolitics #WeidelOrban #WeidelCPACHungary2025 #MerzUnderFire #ChancellorMerz #AfDConfrontation #GermanyDebatesUkraine
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Sir Keir Starmer was hoping to break the curse of the cabinet away day as he summoned his ministers to Chequers for the launch of a summer "refresh" of his.. Sky News
Sir Ed Davey says he has written to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer setting out five principles for the reform of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The Liberal Democrat leader says the Conservatives left the SEND system as a âtotal disasterâ, and that parents âhave no clarityâ over the current governmentâs proposed reforms. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
France has launched a dramatic criminal investigation into Elon Muskâs social media platform X, over allegations that its algorithms are fueling hate speech and manipulating democratic discourse. Sparked by two formal complaints, the probe will examine whether foreign interference tactics were enabled via the platformâs opaque moderation systems. French MP Eric Bothorel accused X of silencing diverse viewpoints and creating a âreal dangerâ to democracy, while a cybersecurity official claimed the algorithms promoted racist and homophobic content.
The scandal deepened after Muskâs AI chatbot Grok generated antisemitic remarks, prompting backlash from French politicians and a public apology from the company. The French prosecutor confirmed executives at X could be held liable. Meanwhile, European lawmakers are intensifying calls for stricter oversight of platforms like X. Muskâs prior endorsement of Germanyâs far-right AfD has only added fuel to the fire, raising global concerns over tech giants' unchecked influence on democratic processes.
#France #ElonMusk #XPlatform #FreeSpeech #HateSpeech #AI #Grok #Misinformation #AlgorithmBias #TechNews #Macron #Cybersecurity #AfD #EuropeanPolitics #SocialMedia #MuskAI #DigitalRegulation #MediaManipulation #DemocracyThreat #Disinformation
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Ukraine to receive US-made Patriot air defence systems via NATO, Trump says
Speaking in Rome, Ukraineâs President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Germany would pay for two of the systems while Norway has agreed to supply one.
READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2025/07/11/ukraine-to-receive-us-made-patriot-air-defence-systems-via-nato-trump-says
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Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 01:02Published
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has begun a high-stakes three-day visit to North Korea, underscoring deepening military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang amid the Ukraine war. Lavrov praised the âinvincible brotherhoodâ between the nations during talks with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui in Wonsan. Notably, North Korea had deployed troops to aid Russian forces in repelling Ukraineâs invasion of the Kursk region in 2024.
Lavrov specifically commended the sacrifices of the Korean Peopleâs Army in retaking Sudzha and surrounding villages from what he called âUkrainian Nazis.â With Kyivâs offensive now crushed, North Korea is sending more troops for reconstruction efforts in Kursk. Lavrovâs visit signals Russiaâs growing pivot towards pariah states as it faces Western isolation. Shoigu confirmed 6,000 North Korean troops would aid with demining and engineering.
#Lavrov #NorthKorea #RussiaUkraineWar #Kursk #Zelensky #Putin #Pyongyang #KimJongUn #UkraineInvasion #SergeyShoigu #ChoeSonHui #ForeignPolicy #MilitaryAlliance #TroopDeployment #Geopolitics #EasternFront #DefensePact #Wonsan #WarUpdates #RussiaNorthKorea
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Russia has confirmed the burial of Colonel Sergei Ilyin, commander of the 155th Marine Brigade, days after reports emerged of a Ukrainian HIMARS strike that allegedly killed him along with 21 others at a command post in Kursk Oblast. Independent outlet Astra cites officials in Chuvash Republic, although the cause of death remains undisclosed. The same attack reportedly killed Major General Mikhail Gudkov.
The 155th Brigade has long been accused of war crimes in Bucha and Irpin, heightening the symbolic weight of Ilyinâs death. Ukrainian officials have not officially commented. Kyivâs broader cross-border campaign in Kursk Oblast, launched in 2024, has claimed tens of thousands of Russian casualties. Russian forces, with help from North Korea, reclaimed much of the territory earlier this year. The Kremlin remains silent on the incident, even as its high-ranking military leadership continues to be decimated by precision Ukrainian strikes.
#UkraineWar #KurskStrike #RussiaUkraine #HIMARS #155thBrigade #Putin #UkrainianForces #WarCrimes #ColonelIlyin #MajorGeneralGudkov #UkraineCounteroffensive #RussiaCasualties #Kyiv #RussiaMilitaryLosses #UkraineVictory #NorthKoreaInWar #RussiaStrike #FrontlineDeaths #WarUpdate #UkraineNews
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In a major shift, U.S. President Donald Trump has approved a fresh $300 million military aid package to Ukraine, reportedly including rare Patriot surface-to-air missiles and medium-range rockets. The decision follows a brief and controversial Pentagon pause ordered by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a known skeptic of increased aid to Kiev.
Trumpâs move marks the first use of his Presidential Drawdown Authority, allowing emergency arms transfers directly from U.S. stockpiles. While the Pentagon claimed the pause was a limited stockpile review, it had caused concern among European allies and Ukrainian officials. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later clarified that most weapons shipments were never stopped. Trump, who has reopened ceasefire talks with Russia, acknowledged the high cost of Patriot systems but said Ukraine still needs them. The Kremlin has warned the continued weapons flow contradicts peace efforts and further complicates diplomacy.
#TrumpUkraineAid #PatriotMissiles #UkraineWeapons #TrumpVsPentagon #KremlinWarning #MarcoRubio #PresidentialDrawdown #UkraineWar #USMilitaryAid #PentagonPause #UkraineCrisis #TrumpRussiaTalks #PutinOnUSAid #UkraineConflict #CeasefireEfforts #NATOTensions #RussiaUkraine #USArmsShipment #HighCostWeapons #UkraineMissileDefense
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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Kuala Lumpur as Russia launched its most intense wave of strikes on Kyiv and Kharkiv in months. Amid mounting civilian casualties, Rubio expressed frustration at Moscowâs obstruction of ceasefire efforts. The meeting marked a major shift in Trumpâs Ukraine policy, with the U.S. now viewing Putinânot Kyivâas the main obstacle to peace. Trumpâs leaked rebuke of Putin signals Washingtonâs harder stance as the war intensifies.
#TrumpUkraineTalks #RubioLIVE #PutinPeaceTalks #RussiaUkrainePeace #UkrainePeacePlan #TrumpPeaceEfforts #UkrainePeaceProcess #RussiaUkraineWar #ZelenskyTalks #PutinSkipsTalks #TrumpPutinDialogue #UkrainePeaceSummit #TurkeyMediation #TrumpUkraineDeal #DirectTalksUkraine #UkraineCrisisDiplomacy
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