NATO needs a stronger focus on the south and Africa, Italy's prime minister told a news conference on Thursday, saying Russia might boost its presence in eastern Libya after the collapse of its allied regime in Syria.

Peter Magyar, the opposition challenger to Prime Minister Viktor Orban, told Reuters he would keep Hungary firmly anchored in the European Union and NATO if he wins elections due in early 2026 and would strive for "pragmatic relations" with Russia.

Ukraine's leader says partners sending ground troops would help "force Russia into peace," as America's European allies ponder Trump's next move.

President-elect Donald Trump said on Tuesday he sympathized with the Russian position that Ukraine should not be part of NATO, and he lamented that he will not meet Russian President Vladimir Putin before his inauguration.

The Kremlin said Thursday they are monitoring President-elect Donald Trump's "dramatic" comments over his desire to acquire Greenland amid other expansionist remarks, including the Panama Canal and Canada.

Ukraine's long-range drone strikes on airbases and ammunition depots inside Russia have reduced the glide-bomb threat.

Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Donald Trump's statements that the war began due to Joe Biden's support of Kyiv joining NATO.

Joe Biden is expected to unveil new sanctions targeting Russia's economy as part of measures to bolster Kyiv's war effort before Donald Trump takes office.

Europe and NATO rely on the US for SEAD capabilities, something that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has shown is critical in a modern conflict.

US President-elect Donald Trump has said he can "understand the Russians' feelings" about Joe Biden allegedly breaking a "deal" to deny Ukraine NATO membership. Source: Trump at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on 7 January,

Guests on Russia's NTV channel discussed how Moscow has been blamed for undersea cables being cut in the Baltic Sea.