Ukraine Seeks NATO Membership Amid Conflict

As the conflict in Ukraine persists, recent developments have escalated tensions between Russia and the West. President Biden has authorized the use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles by Ukraine against Russian targets, which may lead to further military confrontations, including potential nuclear threats from Russia. Meanwhile, Ukraine seeks NATO membership as a critical security guarantee, although the Biden administration has shown hesitance in this regard. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has called for negotiations, criticizing Western support for the conflict and suggesting that it undermines Ukraine's position. In Germany, political uncertainty looms as Chancellor Scholz faces a confidence vote that could trigger early elections, following a coalition fracture over economic policy. Additionally, former Chancellor Angela Merkel's upcoming memoir reflects on her experiences with both Trump and Putin, shedding light on the complexities of international relations amid the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.