
EU Proposes Cutting Oil Price Cap to $45 to Hit Russian Revenue
The European Union proposed banning the Nord Stream pipelines and cutting the Group of Seven oil price cap to $45 as part of a new sanctions package that aims to increase pressure on Moscow to end its war against Ukraine.
'Russia's goal is not peace it's to impose the rule of might,' European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters in Brussels Tuesday. 'Therefore we are ramping up pressure on Russia because strength is the only language that Russia will understand.'
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The Hill
31 minutes ago
- The Hill
GOP senators get heated over Hegseth answers
The Big Story Republican senators came out firing during Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's hearing on Wednesday before the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on armed forces. Greg Nash, The Hill Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) immediately pressed Hegseth over the Russia-Ukraine war, with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) driving home the point later in the hearing; Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), the top Senate appropriator, scolded the Pentagon's delays with budget information. McConnell, one of three Republicans who opposed Hegseth's confirmation, gaveled in the hearing by calling out the Trump administration for what he views as a flat base-line defense budget. He then launched into strong warnings against the U.S. cozying up to Russia in its bid to end its war in Ukraine. McConnell said Washington's allies are 'wondering whether we're in the middle of brokering what appears to be allowing the Russians to define victory. I think victory is defined by the people who have to live there — the Ukrainians.' The former Senate majority leader who now chairs the subcommittee, McConnell asked Hegseth which side he wanted to win the war. The Defense chief said the Trump administration wanted the killing to end but would not choose a side. 'America's reputation is on the line,' McConnell said. 'Will we defend Democratic allies against authoritarian aggressors?' Later in the hearing, Graham asked Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine if Russian President Vladimir Putin is going to stop at Ukraine. 'I don't believe he is,' Caine replied. Hegseth, meanwhile, said it 'remains to be seen.' Graham fired back, referring to his previous allusion to appeasement of Adolf Hitler: 'Well, he says he's not. This is the '30s all over. It doesn't remain to be seen.' The line of questioning laid bare the ideological divide within the GOP as to how the U.S. should confront Russia, seen by defense hawks as a global threat that must be countered with military assistance to prop up Ukraine and assert U.S. force in the European theater. But many in the Trump administration, including Hegseth, have taken a more ambivalent tone, arguing for an 'America First' approach that could see American troops rotated out of bases in Europe and an end to the flow of military aid from Washington to Kyiv. 'We don't want a headline at the end of this conflict that says Russia wins and America loses,' McConnell told Hegseth. The hearing had a far more adversarial tone compared to Hegseth's appearance before the House Appropriations defense subcommittee a day prior, in which the Pentagon chief emerged largely unscathed, particularly at the hands of GOP members. Read the full report at Welcome to The Hill's Defense & National Security newsletter, I'm Ellen Mitchell — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads How policy will affect defense and national security now and inthe future: US scales back personnel in Middle East as Israel-Iran tensions mount The United States is scaling back the number of personnel in the Middle East as the tensions between longtime foes Israel and Iran mount. The U.S. is downsizing its footprint in Iraq, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has greenlighted the departures of military dependents across northeast Africa, the Middle East, and portions of South and Central Asia. 'President Trump is committed to keeping Americans safe, … Marines deployed near LA have not completed training on use of force, nonlethal weapons The 700 Marines mobilized to the Los Angeles area on Monday have not yet completed pre-mission training as of Wednesday morning, with no clear picture yet as to whether they will be deployed on the ground, a U.S. Northern Command official confirmed to The Hill. The Marines 'are still conducting pre-mission training and they have not been employed by Task Force 51, the DoD command element in Los Angeles,' a Northcom spokesperson … Troops in LA can detain individuals, general says A U.S. Army general said on Wednesday that troops tasked with ensuring security in Los Angeles will be able to temporarily detain individuals until law enforcement agents step in to arrest them. U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman told reporters Wednesday that the 700 Marines and 4,000 National Guard troops, ordered to the City of Angels in response to the protests against the administration's immigration raids, will not … On Our Radar Upcoming things we're watching on our beat: In Other News Branch out with a different read from The Hill: LA mayor casts Trump admin ICE raids as 'political retribution' amid unrest Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Los Angeles were 'political retribution' against residents of the predominantly Democratic city. 'Angelenos are trying to live their lives—going to work, caring for their families—while facing the constant threat … On Tap Tomorrow Events in and around the defense world: What We're Reading News we've flagged from other outlets: Trending Today Two key stories on The Hill right now: Where the 'No Kings' anti-Trump military parade protests are planned Organizers with the 'No Kings' movement are planning some 1,500 demonstrations across the country to protest the upcoming military parade … Read more Entire Fulbright board resigns, citing Trump administration interference All members of the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board resigned Wednesday, citing alleged political interference by members of the Trump administration. … Read more Opinions in The Hill Op-eds related to defense & national security submitted to The Hill: You're all caught up. See you tomorrow! Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Vucic offers to help rebuild Ukrainian cities, reaffirms support for Ukraine's territorial integrity
During his visit to Ukraine on June 11, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said his country is ready to help rebuild one or two Ukrainian cities or regions. The one-day trip marked the Moscow-friendly Serbian leader's first official visit to Ukraine and a significant moment in his efforts to maintain a neutral stance in Russia's war against Ukraine while also advancing Serbia's EU accession aspirations. Speaking at the Ukraine–Southeast Europe Summit in Odesa, Vucic said Serbia wants to go beyond political declarations and provide practical assistance to Ukraine. "I would like to take one or two cities or regions that we could rebuild. I think that would be very clear and noticeable to the Ukrainian people," he said. "We are ready to listen to you and see how we can help you." Vucic also reaffirmed Serbia's commitment to international law and the UN Charter, saying that this includes supporting the territorial integrity of states — a message the president described as important for Kyiv. "Ukraine can always count on Serbia's humanitarian and political support for its territorial integrity," he said. "We could be supportive in efforts to achieve a ceasefire." Vucic was one of the few European leaders to attend Russia's Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on May 9 — a move that drew criticism from EU officials. Serbian president also told reporters that he did not sign the declaration of the Odesa summit, adding that by doing so, he "did not betray Russia." Tensions between Belgrade and Moscow have risen in recent months after Russia's intelligence services accused Serbian defense firms on May 29 of indirectly supplying weapons to Ukraine. Vucic has denied those claims. Read also: Zelensky urges 'stronger' EU sanctions on Russia, lower oil price cap We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.


Washington Post
an hour ago
- Washington Post
Bruce Springsteen's Berlin concert echoes with history and a stark warning
BERLIN — Veteran rock star Bruce Springsteen , a high-profile critic of President Donald Trump, slammed the U.S. administration as 'corrupt, incompetent and treasonous' during a concert Wednesday in Berlin. He was addressing tens of thousands of fans at a stadium built for the 1936 Olympic Games that still bears the scars of World War II and contains relics from the country's dark Nazi past.