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 NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte Affirms President Trump’s Warning on Alliance Sustainability** In a candid address to the European Parliament on January 26, 2026, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte issued a direct and uncompromising warning to European leaders: the continent is incapable of defending itself without the full support of the United States. “If anyone thinks here again that the European Union, or Europe as a whole, can defend itself without the U.S., keep on dreaming. You can’t,” Rutte declared. He went on to stress that any attempt at full strategic autonomy would require European nations to more than double their recently agreed defense spending targets and invest “billions and billions” in independent capabilities, including nuclear deterrence. Without the U.S. nuclear umbrella, he added, Europe would “lose the ultimate guarantor of our freedom.” Rutte’s remarks represent a clear validation of President Donald Trump’s long-standing position on the NATO alliance. F...

Conflicting reports are becoming the norm.  Some experts are claiming Ukraine is holding on, while others claim Ukraine is ready to capitulate. UN Meeting Ready to Negotiate or Not? India   "The Ukrainian president made another push for a diplomatic end to Russia's attack by offering to discuss with Moscow the possibility of designating Ukraine a non-aligned country.  Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to send a delegation to Belarus' capital for talks with Ukraine but only after its military "lays down its arms". Putin also told China's Xi Jinping over phone that Russia is ready for high-level talks with Ukraine." The Washington Post "NATO leaders also discussed plans for ongoing military support to Ukraine, including air defense equipment, but provided no further details." FoxNews "Terror has taken hold in Ukraine, people." are 'running away from death." NBC "Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said late Wedn...