Pope Francis is currently battling double pneumonia at the Gemelli hospital in Rome. The Vatican spokesperson, Matteo Bruni, confirmed that recent blood tests showed a "slight improvement" in inflammation indices for the 88-year-old pontiff. Pope Francis, who had an acute case of pneumonia in 2023, remains susceptible to respiratory infections, particularly during the winter months.
Meanwhile, the geopolitical landscape is fraught with tension as the United States and Europe grapple with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. US President Donald Trump plans to meet with Pope Francis in Washington DC, potentially to discuss humanitarian efforts amid the pontiff's health crisis. Additionally, Polish foreign minister Radosław Sikorski will meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington DC on Friday, a meeting reportedly requested by the US side to address escalating concerns in Eastern Europe.
The United States is preparing to deploy up to 30,000 troops as peacekeeping forces in Ukraine as part of a broader peace settlement. European leaders are actively discussing this deployment alongside the UK, which is leading discussions on security guarantees during the peace process. The US Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv today to further these discussions. The US has expressed frustration with Ukraine’s pushback on the proposed deal, which includes a strategic economic alliance aimed at strengthening ties between the two nations.
In a move to reinforce security measures, the United States plans to offer a security shield for Ukraine through an economic deal. A new Polish poll indicates robust trust in NATO, with 67% of Poles expecting the alliance to intervene if Russia attacks Poland. As discussions evolve, European leaders underscore the importance of collective defense strategies.
“They all have to do it by next summer. I tell them: if you do not react to my phone calls, you may get phone calls from a very nice man in Washington who might be less… well, let’s say… has more of a time limit on what he wants to achieve,” said Mark Rutte.
Rutte added that the presence of US troops is crucial for deterrence and defense along NATO's Eastern flank.
“This presence is a vital part of how we collectively deter aggression and defend our Eastern flank,” Rutte emphasized.
The new US administration has shown significant engagement in European affairs, marking a departure from past interactions.
“Over the past week, Europe has seen an extraordinary level of engagement by the new US administration … The US has made crystal clear its commitment to a strong NATO. That should not be in doubt,” Rutte stated.
However, not all responses are positive. Dmitry Medvedev commented on the shifting dynamics between Europe and the United States.
“They are no longer dealing with the same United States as they were dealing a few months ago,” Medvedev noted.
With defense spending under scrutiny, Mark Rutte urged NATO allies to increase their investments.
“We know that the 2014 target of 2% will not keep us safe in the years ahead. Allies must invest more,” Rutte declared.
Amidst these developments, former US Secretary of State John Kerry addressed misinformation surrounding Russia's motives in Ukraine.
“Everybody knows what is going on, so the answer is, yeah, that’s evil,” Kerry remarked.
Kerry criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for his unfounded justifications for invading Ukraine.
“Putin individually decided, contrary to what Donald Trump said yesterday or day before, to invade Ukraine. He wants it back. … He said different motives expressed at different times, that it was Nazis taking over the country, and he had to go in to root out the Nazis. Well, come on, folks. I mean, that lie has been proved. There’s so many lies,” Kerry asserted.
John Healey echoed Kerry's sentiments on Russia's accountability.
“There is no system, unfortunately, by which Putin is accountable to anybody,” Kerry lamented.
Healey further emphasized the causative role of Russia in the conflict.
“This war started because Russia invaded the territory of a sovereign state,” Healey affirmed.
He also highlighted a potential resolution if Russia withdraws its forces.
“This war could be ended today if president Putin withdrew his troops from Ukraine,” Healey concluded.