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Europe Rejects U.S. Peace Framework Demanding Ukrainian Concessions

Ukraine suffered one of the worst Russian attacks in months when drones and missiles hit Ternopil.  European leaders have firmly rejected a U.S.-backed peace proposal that would require Ukraine to surrender territory and scale back its military capabilities. The plan, reportedly drafted by Washington and discussed with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has been described by European officials as tantamount to forcing Kyiv into capitulation. According to reports, the framework envisions Ukraine giving up land to Russia and partially disarming its armed forces. This approach has sparked alarm across Europe, where officials insist that any peace plan must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and involve both Kyiv and European partners in negotiations. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized that “for any plan to work, it needs Ukrainians and Europeans on board,” underscoring the bloc’s position that decisions about Ukraine’s future cannot be made without its direct involvement. German...

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Hamas Releases Final Hostage in Latest Exchange with Israel

In a significant development, Hamas has released the sixth and final Israeli hostage as part of the latest exchange agreement with Israel. The release took place on Saturday, marking the end of the first phase of the ceasefire deal between the two adversaries.

The final hostage, Hisham Al-Sayed, a 36-year-old Bedouin Israeli with a history of mental health issues, had crossed into Gaza on his own in 2015 and had been held since. His release follows the earlier release of five other hostages, including three Israeli men who were abducted from the Nova music festival during the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas.

The exchange has been overshadowed by heightened tensions between the two sides. The ceasefire deal, which has paused over 15 months of conflict, is nearing the end of its first phase. Negotiations for a second phase, which would involve the release of dozens more hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal, are expected to be even more challenging.

The release of the hostages was conducted in staged ceremonies, which have been condemned by both Israel and the Red Cross in the past. Despite the tensions, the exchange has brought a glimmer of hope for the families of the hostages and the possibility of a more stable ceasefire in the future.



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