News about military conflict
The EU has started preparations for possible talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in case conditions for a political settlement of the conflict over Ukraine emerge.
In the Global Firepower ranking of military power in 2026, Kazakhstan dropped one position to 58th place, while Uzbekistan moved up to 53rd place and became the leader of the region.
Today, May 8, European stock markets fell sharply after a new round of escalation between the United States and Iran. Investors began to withdraw from risky assets amid fears that the fragile truce between the parties could finally break down and the conflict could hit global oil supplies.
Donald Trump has once again said that the US has defeated Iran and hinted at striking the Islamic republic with nuclear weapons if an agreement is not reached. He said this during his visit to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., where he was touring the newly renovated Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) said the medium-term outlook for the natural gas industry is likely to last longer than previously thought. The conflict with Iran has already led to a loss of about 120 billion cubic meters of liquefied natural gas between 2026 and 2030, Gergely Molnar, an IEA expert, said Thursday.
Exports of jet fuel suffered the most, falling by 95% against February’s figure. At the same time, diesel shipments fell by “only” 55% thanks to support from Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea refineries. These refineries are more optimized for diesel production than jet fuel.
Hungary has returned in full the valuables of the Ukrainian Oschadbank transported through the country and detained by its authorities in March 2026.
US President Donald Trump has said that Washington has had successful talks with Iran and it will soon be possible to reach an agreement.
The dollar weakened against most major currencies on Wednesday after the U.S. signaled it may be close to an agreement with Iran. President Donald Trump said he would briefly suspend the operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, citing progress toward a comprehensive agreement with Iran.
The cargo ship was struck by a missile in the Persian Gulf area, with several crew members injured.
Oil prices are down for a second straight day amid expectations of a resumption of crude supplies from the key Middle East region, after US President Donald Trump hinted at a possible peace deal with Iran.
The United States sharply increased its oil exports and actually became the world’s number one supplier. The restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz also reduced Saudi Arabia’s exports and changed the balance of the global market.
Global exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) fell in April to their lowest level in almost two years. This was the result of the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the war in the Middle East. Nevertheless, the lost Qatari volumes are quickly being replaced by other producers: for example, from the US and Canada.
The Russian Defense Ministry has announced a unilateral ceasefire for the period from May 8 to May 9, when Moscow celebrates the annual Victory Day in World War II.
US President Donald Trump has promised that Iran will be “wiped off the face of the earth” if the Iranians attack US ships participating in Project Liberty, a US initiative to escort merchant ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.
The military conflict between the US and Iran has dealt a devastating blow to Dubai’s tourism industry, turning one of the world’s busiest metropolises into a city of empty hotels and closed resorts. The emirate’s economy is estimated to be losing hundreds of millions of pounds sterling every day, and the flow of foreign tourists has virtually dried up.
A political standoff is escalating in the U.S. over President Donald Trump’s authorization for a military operation against Iran.
Greece does not agree to Ukraine’s terms on the joint use of maritime drones, products of a potential co-production. Greece is concerned that Ukraine insists on having a “say” on how these drones the Greek side of the production tandem plans to use.
The U.S. budget for 2027 does not tentatively include funding for USAI, the Security Assistance Initiative for Ukraine.
The war against Iran has fueled British interest in heat pumps. They reduce the dependence of Europeans on volatile gas prices, although they have become embroiled in political and cultural disputes over carbon neutrality (net zero).
