Israel has asserted that international pressure will not alter its course in defending its existence, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein stating that external pressure won't divert Israel from its path in defending its security against enemies who seek its destruction. The UK has paused free trade talks with Israel and announced additional sanctions targeting settlers in the occupied West Bank, while Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned a "monstrous" escalation of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which has killed at least 60 people since the start of the conflict.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/external-pressure-will-not-divert-israel-hits-back-after-uk-pauses-trade-talks-imposes-sanctions-over-gaza-13890197.htmlBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, describing children's suffering as "utterly intolerable". He joined French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in criticizing Israel's actions, threatening concrete actions if the Israeli government doesn't cease its military offensive. The UK announcement came after a joint statement by Lammy, which some welcomed but others criticized for favoring Hamas. Netanyahu called the statement "a huge prize" for Hamas, while Starmer urged increased humanitarian aid shipments into Gaza to alleviate the suffering of its people.
https://apnews.com/article/uk-starmer-israel-gaza-criticism-acabcdb4da0f1368f7e8a471cf494c0eIran's Supreme Leader Khamenei stated that denying Iran's right to enrich uranium was "a big mistake". The US and Iran have held four rounds of nuclear talks since April, with plans for another round confirmed after a meeting on May 11. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would consider temporary restrictions on uranium enrichment in exchange for a deal. US President Donald Trump has revived his "maximum pressure" approach against Iran, warning of potential military action if the Iranians don't move quickly towards a deal.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/irans-ayatollah-khamenei-says-talks-with-us-unlikely-to-lead-to-any-outcome-8462259Russia has temporarily stopped an oil tanker in its territorial waters after Estonian forces tried to intercept it, signaling Moscow's willingness to use military force to protect its shadow fleet, a vital part of its war economy. The incident follows a pattern of Russian behavior towards Estonia, which combines military force with plausible deniability and information warfare. Experts say Russia is becoming more overt in defending its clandestine maritime operations, citing the recent case as an example of "reckless and unsafe flying" by a Russian jet.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/05/20/estonia-russia-ship-standoff-portends-a-harsher-tone-on-the-baltic-sea/The Russian Su-35 fighter jet was deployed near a vessel returning to Primorsk port, marking Estonia's first airspace breach since 2022. The incident coincided with the Lennart Meri conference in Tallinn, where Western officials discussed Ukraine, Russia's threats and US-Europe relations. Matthew Whitaker, Donald Trump's new NATO ambassador, attended the event, alleviating concerns among Eastern European countries like Estonia about American commitment to the alliance.
https://www.rferl.org/a/wider-europe-jozwiak-runup-nato-summit-hague/33418155.htmlUS Senator Rubio stated that the US plans to waive sanctions on Syria imposed by the Caesar Act to ensure accountability for human rights abuses under President Assad. The European Union has agreed to lift all economic sanctions on Syria, except those targeting individuals who stir ethnic tensions. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani welcomed the move, saying it offers Syrians a chance to rebuild their country. Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi also expressed support for Syria's new phase of development, emphasizing the need to give it a chance to succeed.
https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/nation/rubio-says-syria-could-be-weeks-away-from-full-scale-civil-war/article_c657229b-6e12-5a5b-8a05-1414ab42fa61.htmlFrench Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Barrot has urged the EU to review its association agreement with Israel due to human rights concerns, threatening "further concrete actions" if Israel continues to block aid to Gaza. The move comes after a joint statement by Macron, Starmer, and Carney calling for recognition of a Palestinian state. Barrot believes the current humanitarian aid is insufficient, describing Gaza as a "death trap" and warning that "when you sow violence, you harvest violence."
https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2025/05/20/france-determined-to-recognise-palestinian-state-as-gaza-crisis-deepens-says-foreign-minister/177479India launched Operation Sindoor, a swift retaliation against Pakistan, with precision strikes on May 7, destroying nine terror launchpads in Pakistan and parts of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK). The operation was led by Lieutenant General Prashant Srivastava, Corps Commander of the Indian Army's 15 Corps.
https://indiatoday.in/india/story/how-indian-army-15-corps-executed-operation-sindoor-with-precision-surprise-2727326-2025-05-20External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with Netherlands' Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp in The Hague, where he praised the country's strong condemnation of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and its support for a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism. Jaishankar also discussed deepened bilateral ties between India and the Netherlands, as well as pressing global issues with his counterpart.
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/eam-jaishankar-lauds-netherlands-support-against-terrorism-1880009