Nearly two dozen Republican state attorneys general are demanding the Biden government address what they term “grim” reports concerning the whereabouts of 85,000 children believed to be missing. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch, and Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra, and FBI Director Christopher Wray, urging greater action to prevent children from being handed over to suspected human traffickers.
The letter sparks grave concerns over the welfare of children, citing a report from the HHS Office of Inspector General that noted serious safety issues for unaccompanied children at the U.S. southern border. The report stated that safety checks weren’t performed in a timely manner for more than one in five children and that over a third of cases included identification documents from sponsors that raised objections, with some children being released to empty or nonresidential homes.
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The letter further explains that the law mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services protect these children upon their arrival in the United States. The attorneys general charge that the department has failed in this duty, with the consequence being that thousands of these children may have become victims of forced labor or sex trafficking, often suffer from neglect and hazardous working conditions, and, at times, endure severe injury or death.
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❓What Happened: The White House plans to send a rescission package to Congress, targeting DOGE cuts and other spending reductions.
👥 Who’s Involved: Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and Congress.
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📍 Where & When: Vought announced the rescission package on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: “We are doing everything we can to make the DOGE cuts permanent, either through rescissions or through impoundment.” – Russ Vought, OMB Director.
⚠️ Impact: The cuts will target areas such as foreignaid and funding for NPR and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The process of filing additional cuts to be codified is expected to unfold over several months.
IN FULL:
President Donald J. Trump‘s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought confirmed late Wednesday the White House’s plans to send a rescission package to Congress to claw back spending appropriated under the former Biden government. During a television interview on Wednesday, Vought confirmed that the spending clawbacks will include cuts recommended by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and will be sent early next week when the House of Representatives returns to session.
The package, according to Vought, will focus on eliminating wasteful spending in areas such as foreign aid, appropriations earmarked for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and funding for NPR and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Vought noted that this is just the beginning of a broader effort, saying, “We want to make sure that Congress passes its first rescissions bill, including the DOGE, and we will send more if they pass it.”
Vought emphasized that these cuts will not be included in a single comprehensive bill but will instead be addressed through a process spanning several months. Notably, rescission measures in the U.S. Senate are considered privileged and not subject to the filibuster. This means that only a simple majority of both houses of Congress is needed to pass the spending clawback.
According to the OMB Director, the cuts align with the fiscal year 2026 budget and include $160 billion in nondefense spending reductions. He stated that this is the lowest level of nondefense spending since fiscal year 2017 and, when adjusted for inflation, the lowest since 2000.
Vought also mentioned that the administration is exploring all available tools, including impoundment, to make the cuts permanent. “We are doing everything we can to make the DOGE cuts permanent, either through rescissions or through impoundment,” he said.
The rescission effort aims to ensure fiscal responsibility while addressing what the administration views as unnecessary and harmful expenditures. However, Vought acknowledged that the process would take time, adding, “It’s not going to be something that, hey, we’re going to have it in one bill, it’s going to be part of a process over the next several months.”
❓What Happened: A federal judge extended a temporary order blocking the Trump administration’s revocation of Harvard University’s ability to enroll foreign students.
👥 Who’s Involved: U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs, President Donald J. Trump, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, Harvard University, and foreign students.
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📍 Where & When: Massachusetts federal court; extension announced Thursday, May 29, coinciding with Harvard’s 347th graduation ceremony.
💬 Key Quote: “Harvard’s refusal to comply with SEVP oversight was the latest evidence that it disdains the American people and takes for granted U.S. taxpayer benefits,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated.
⚠️ Impact: If the revocation proceeds, foreign students at Harvard—roughly one-fourth of its student body—could lose their ability to stay in the U.S. unless they transfer schools.
IN FULL:
A Massachusetts federal judge on Thursday extended a temporary order preventing the Trump administration from revoking Harvard University‘s ability to enroll foreign students. The decision follows the administration’s move last week to block Harvard from participating in the federal Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which allows the institution to import foreign students.
U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs said the temporary order will remain in place until it is replaced by a preliminary injunction, though no timeline for the injunction was discussed. The extension was issued on the same day as Harvard’s 347th graduation ceremony.
Previously, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had given the university 30 days to contest the revocation. According to a letter filed in court, Harvard must submit evidence, including misconduct records of foreign students and proof that it maintains a campus free from violence and anti-Semitism.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, sharing the letter on X (formerly Twitter), criticized Harvard, stating, “Harvard’s refusal to comply with SEVP oversight was the latest evidence that it disdains the American people and takes for granted U.S. taxpayer benefits.” She added, “We continue to reject Harvard’s repeated pattern of endangering its students and spreading American hate—it must change its ways in order to participate in American programs.”
If the Trump administration’s action is upheld, foreign students, who make up approximately 27 percent of Harvard’s student body, would lose their ability to remain in the United States unless they transfer to other institutions. Additionally, losing the ability to enroll foreign students will likely cost Harvard millions in revenue.
The revocation of Harvard’s SEVP certification is just the latest step in President Trump’s actions against the university after the Ivy League institution refused to comply with federal directives aimed at cracking down on anti-Semitic acts and protests on campus, and stopping racial discrimination against white and Asian applicants. Last month, the Trump administration revoked over $2 billion in research grants, prompting the university to sue.
President Trump recently indicated on Truth Social that he is considering reallocating $3 billion in Harvard’s grant money to trade schools.
This is a developing story…
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❓What Happened: Elon Musk announced his departure from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) project, citing a rule limiting special government employees to 130 days of service.
👥 Who’s Involved: Elon Musk, President Donald J. Trump, DOGE team, American taxpayers.
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📍 Where & When: Announcement via X (formerly Twitter) on May 29, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: “As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President [Donald Trump] for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending.” – Elon Musk.
⚠️ Impact: DOGE claims to have saved $175 billion for taxpayers; Musk will shift focus back to his struggling businesses.
IN FULL:
Elon Musk has stepped down from his role fronting the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) project, attributing his departure to a federal rule limiting special government employees to 130 days of service. Musk made the announcement on X (formerly Twitter) on May 28, 2025, insisting that his decision was unrelated to any rumored tensions with President Donald J. Trump.
“As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President [Donald Trump] for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending,” Musk wrote. “The [DOGE] mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.”
Musk’s departure comes as he publicly criticized the “big, beautiful bill” supported by Trump, stating, “I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budgetdeficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing.”
Senior Trump official Stephen Miller implicitly pushed back against these remarks, noting that the “big, beautiful bill” is a reconciliation bill—meaning it does not deal with the same category of federal spending as DOGE—and that it fulfills campaign promises on cutting workers’ taxes and increasing funding for defense and border security.
Despite his remarks, Musk expressed gratitude for his time with DOGE and highlighted the project’s reported success in saving taxpayers a claimed $175 billion through measures such as asset sales, contract renegotiations, and fraud elimination. However, it is questionable whether much of these claimed savings can be verified, and the sum is far lower than the trillions of dollars Musk initially estimated he could save.
In an interview earlier this week, Musk reflected on his time in government, admitting, “I think I probably did spend a bit too much time on politics… It was just relative time allocation that probably was a little too high on the government side, and I’ve reduced that significantly in recent weeks.”
Musk’s electric car company, Tesla, has fared particularly poorly since his foray into frontline politics, with sales down and activists targeting its dealerships and customers.
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By Popular Demand.
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❓ What Happened: Deputy Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Dan Bongino revealed the discovery of a secret room at FBI headquarters containing a trove of evidence from the James Comey era, hidden from investigators, with declassification efforts underway.
👥 Who’s Involved: Dan Bongino, James Comey, the FBI, and other intelligence agencies.
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📍 Where & When: FBI headquarters, with Bongino’s revelation reported on May 29, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: “We found stuff in there, and a lot of it’s from the Comey era… You’re going to be stunned,” Bongino said.
⚠️ Impact: Bongino’s discovery pushes forward Trump’s mission to increase transparency and accountability in the deep state.
IN FULL:
Deputy Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Dan Bongino dropped a bombshell on May 29, 2025, revealing the discovery of a secret room at FBI headquarters packed with evidence from multiple cases, concealed during James Comey’s tenure as director. Referring to himself and FBI Director Kash Patel, a fellow Trump appointee, Bongino said the trove was “hidden from us, at least, and not mentioned to us.”
“There was a room, and we found a lot of stuff,” Bongino said. “We found stuff in there, and a lot of it’s from the Comey era.” The evidence, some of which was described as being “in bags hiding under James Comey,” spans multiple investigations, though Bongino did not specify which. The revelation comes amid heightened scrutiny of Comey, who has been accused of mishandling investigations and was recently investigated by the Secret Service for an Instagram post interpreted as a threat against Trump.
Bongino emphasized the FBI’s efforts to declassify the findings, acknowledging public frustration with the pace. “We are working our damnedest right now to declassify. I totally understand people saying, ‘Well, do it now.’ The process is, not all the information is ours to declassify,” he said, explaining that some of it belongs to other agencies. However, he stressed that, “Once that [process] gets done and [the information] gets out there… You’re going to be stunned.”
Comey’s tenure as FBI director from 2013 to 2017 was marred by controversy, including his handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation and his role in facilitating the discredited Russiagate probe, which consumed much of Trump’s first term. Recently, Comey faced backlash for an Instagram post showing “86 47” spelled out in seashells, interpreted as a call to “86” or “kill” Trump, the 47th president.
🚨BREAKING: Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino reveals that they discovered a trove of evidence from multiple cases under James Comey, hidden in a secret room within the agency:
“There was a room, and we found a lot of stuff, A hidden room. I wouldn’t call it hidden, but hidden… pic.twitter.com/EArsYpEhUV
❓What Happened: A recent study reveals a 13 percent reduction in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) jobs in the U.S., with 2,600 positions eliminated.
👥 Who’s Involved: Revelio Labs conducted the analysis; President Donald J. Trump and his Department of Justice (DOJ) are pushing back against DEI practices.
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📍 Where & When: The data covers the growth and now accelerating decline of DEI jobs since 2016.
💬 Key Quote: “I’m hopeful and encouraged that Harmeet will drop the hammer on these companies,” says Will Hild, Executive Director of Consumers’ Research, referring to Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general for the civil rights division at the DOJ.
⚠️ Impact: While DEI job numbers remain above 2016 levels, they are rapidly falling from their peak. This suggests that Trump’s White House efforts to crack down on discriminatory DEI policies are working and reversing the course of corporate policies.
IN FULL:
A new analysis by Revelio Labs reveals a significant decline in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) roles across the United States, with 2,600 positions eliminated since 2023. This marks a 13 percent reduction, bringing the total number of DEI-related jobs to approximately 17,700 as of January 2025, down from a peak of 20,000 in 2023.
The report highlights a dramatic shift from the rapid growth seen in recent years. Job postings for DEI roles surged by 595 percent in August 2022 compared to 2020. Positions tied to terms like “belonging,” “social impact,” or “culture” are also reportedly in decline.
This comes as major corporations scale back DEI programs and reduce financial support for Pride events, following a crackdown on what the Trump administration has termed illegal DEI practices. President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order in January 2025 aimed at eliminating identity-based employment considerations and restoring merit-based opportunities. Among the corporations to comply, at least in part, are Target, Deloitte, Lockheed Martin, and Verizon.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is expected to release further guidance soon, including recommendations for the private sector and a list of ongoing compliance investigations. Additionally, the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, led by Harmeet Dhillon, has named investigating race-based employment discrimination as a top priority.
Observers have raised concerns about the potential rebranding of DEI roles within corporate structures. Will Hild, Executive Director of Consumers’ Research, warns, “If they just relabel DEI to be some department of HR, it’s not going to do any good.” Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that the human resources sector employed 922,000 people in 2024, up from 631,000 in 2016.
The analysis also revealed demographic trends within the DEI workforce. Women comprised more than 71 percent of DEI professionals from 2020 to 2024, compared to 51 percent in other roles. Additionally, Black and Hispanic workers accounted for 33 percent of DEI positions, compared to 21 percent of other roles. “That’s a tacit admission that they were engaging in race- and sex-based discrimination,” Hild commented, adding: “I’m hopeful and encouraged that Harmeet will drop the hammer on these companies.”
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By Popular Demand.
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❓What Happened: Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a new policy to block U.S. entry for foreign officials and their families involved in censorship of Americans or interference with U.S. tech companies.
👥 Who’s Involved: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President J.D. Vance, President Donald Trump, Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, and Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Darrell Issa (R-CA).
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📍 Where & When: United States, with the new policy announced in May and building on actions taken since Rubio assumed office, including the shutdown of the Global Engagement Center in April.
💬 Key Quote: “Foreigners who work to undermine the rights of Americans should not enjoy the privilege of traveling to our country,” Rubio posted on X.
⚠️ Impact: Visa bans could affect hundreds or thousands of foreign officials, targeting those enforcing censorship campaigns that violate free speech rights or coerce U.S.-based platforms.
IN FULL:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has unveiled a sweeping policy to deny U.S. entry to foreign officials and their families involved in censorship campaigns targeting Americans or U.S.-based technology platforms. The policy, rooted in the Immigration and Nationality Act, aims to counter what Rubio describes as an expanding global censorship apparatus.
The initiative builds on Rubio’s actions since assuming office, including the April shutdown of the State Department’s Global Engagement Center (GEC). The GEC had faced criticism for funding organizations like the Britain-based Global Disinformation Index, accused of labeling dissenting views as misinformation. Rubio cited the GEC’s activities as incompatible with free speech principles.
The new visa restrictions target foreign judges, bureaucrats, regulatory officials, and others orchestrating censorship efforts. This includes those enforcing Europe’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which Rubio has criticized as an overreach compelling censorship on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Meta, and Google. “Foreigners who work to undermine the rights of Americans should not enjoy the privilege of traveling to our country,” Rubio stated on X.
The British government, which is particularly censorship-prone, is especially concerned that officials from the communications regulator Ofcom will be targeted.
The policy’s foundation traces back to September 2024, when five Republican lawmakers urged then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken to impose visa bans on foreign officials suppressing speech rights. Their letter specifically named Brazilian Supreme Federal Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes and accused him of silencing opposition voices and targeting X under dubious legal pretenses. Representative Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), co-author of the letter, later introduced the “No Censors on our Shores Act” with Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA), aiming to formalize such restrictions.
President Donald J. Trump and his administration have expressed increasing alarm over foreign governments pressuring U.S. companies to implement censorship exceeding American legal standards. Internal memos suggest the visa bans could apply to hundreds or even thousands of officials worldwide. Cases involving threats to arrest platform employees, freeze assets, or enforce foreign speech codes may fall under the policy’s scope.
The move aligns with the “America First Policy Directive” President Trump signed in January, prioritizing safeguarding U.S. speech rights abroad. Vice President J.D. Vance has also emphasized the administration’s commitment to opposing global censorship regimes, calling out European authorities for weaponizing laws to suppress political dissent.
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By Popular Demand.
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❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump’s Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, says the Department of State will begin revoking student visas for Chinese nationals studying at American universities.
👥 Who’s Involved: Marco Rubio, Chinese nationals studying in the United States.
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📍 Where & When: Visa revocations were announced late Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: “The U.S. will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields,” Rubio wrote.
⚠️ Impact: The move is aimed at cracking down on political and corporate espionage that is often perpetrated by foreign Chinese students on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
IN FULL:
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced late Wednesday evening that the State Department will begin revoking visas for Chinese students studying at American universities. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Rubio appears to imply that the visa revocations for students with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will be the priority.
“The U.S. will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields,” Rubio wrote.
A Congressional report last October found that CCP espionage efforts in the United States intensified under the former Biden government. Released by the House Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence, the report found that “Beijing has continually encroached upon American sovereignty to spy, intimidate, and harass… defectors and American citizens.”
Notably, harassment and both political and corporate espionage activities have been linked to foreign students from China studying in the U.S. in the past. Additionally, lawmakers on Capitol Hill have emphasized the potential national security concerns posed by the number of Chinese nationals studying at American universities.
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By Popular Demand.
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❓What Happened: A little-known federal court has blocked President Donald J. Trump’s ability to impose and collect trade tariffs connected to his April 2 “Liberation Day” announcement.
👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump and a three-judge panel on the United States Court of International Trade.
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📍 Where & When: The ruling was handed down late Wednesday on May 28, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: “The Worldwide and Retaliatory Tariff Orders exceed any authority granted to the President by IEEPA to regulate importation by means of tariffs. The Trafficking Tariffs fail because they do not deal with the threats set forth in those orders,” the court order reads.
⚠️ Impact: The ruling effectively ends the trade duties unless the order is set aside by a Federal Circuit court as litigation proceeds.
IN FULL:
The United States Court of International Trade handed down a ruling enjoining President Donald J. Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, which include his reciprocal tariffs—mostly paused—and the 10 percent global tariff. According to the court—which operated as an internal Treasury Department board until being elevated to an Article III federal court by Congress in 1956—President Trump’s national emergency claim exceeds his Article II authority as the chief executive.
An emergency declaration citing the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) underpins the “Liberation Day” tariffs, which Trump announced on April 2. This declaration cites the need to end the continued flow of fentanyl from China, through Canada and Mexico, into the United States as a national emergency, among other issues.
“The Worldwide and Retaliatory Tariff Orders exceed any authority granted to the President by IEEPA to regulate importation by means of tariffs. The Trafficking Tariffs fail because they do not deal with the threats set forth in those orders,” the court order reads, continuing: “This conclusion entitles Plaintiffs to judgment as a matter of law; as the court further finds no genuine dispute as to any material fact, summary judgment will enter against the United States. The challenged Tariff Orders will be vacated and their operation permanently enjoined.”
“There is no question here of narrowly tailored relief; if the challenged Tariff Orders are unlawful as to Plaintiffs, they are unlawful as to all,” the three-judge panel added.
According to White House sources, the ruling will be swiftly appealed to the Federal Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court.
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By Popular Demand.
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❓What Happened: A Florida appellate court rejected the Pulitzer Prize Board’s request to pause President Donald J. Trump’s defamation lawsuit against its members on presidential immunity grounds.
👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, the Pulitzer Prize Board, Judge Robert Rugg of Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal.
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📍 Where & When: Ruling issued in Florida on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: Judge Rugg wrote, “Respondent [Trump] is in the best position to determine if these proceedings would be a diversion and interfere with the obligations of his office.”
⚠️ Impact: The lawsuit will proceed, with potential discovery of the board’s internal deliberations over controversial Pulitzer awards for debunked Trump-Russia collusion reporting.
IN FULL:
A Florida appellate court has denied the Pulitzer Prize Board’s petition to pause President Donald J. Trump‘s defamation lawsuit against its members, marking a significant step forward in the case. The Fourth District Court of Appeal’s ruling, issued Wednesday by Judge Robert Rugg, dismissed the board’s claim that the proceedings should be halted due to presidential immunity concerns.
The lawsuit stems from the board’s refusal to revoke 2018 Pulitzer Prizes awarded to The New York Times and The Washington Post for their reporting on alleged Trump-Russia collusion during the 2016 election. The narrative has since been widely debunked. While neither media outlet is a defendant in the case, Trump argues that the board’s decision to uphold the awards constitutes defamation.
The Pulitzer board has sought to delay the case and shield its internal deliberations from public scrutiny during the discovery process. In January, the board filed for a protective order in Florida’s Okeechobee County, describing its request as a “garden variety” measure to maintain confidentiality in line with longstanding practices. However, Wednesday’s ruling clears the way for discovery, potentially exposing how the board decided to honor the controversial reporting.
Previously, the board had invoked presidential immunity arguments, claiming that ongoing legal proceedings could interfere with Trump’s official duties. The circuit court rejected this reasoning earlier this year, stating that Trump himself could determine whether the case posed a distraction. Judge Rugg upheld that decision, writing, “Respondent [Trump] is in the best position to determine if these proceedings would be a diversion and interfere with the obligations of his office, or whether his continued participation is consistent with the performance of his official responsibilities.”
The ruling also noted that Trump retains the option to dismiss the case or seek a stay if his presidential obligations change.
The decision represents another legal victory for Trump, as the defamation case will now move forward. The Pulitzer board’s efforts to maintain secrecy over its deliberations now face increased scrutiny, particularly given the widespread discrediting of the Trump-Russia collusion narrative.
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❓What Happened: The European Union (EU) wants to establish a “maritime security hub” in the Black Sea region to counter Russia’s “shadow fleet” and protect undersea cables.
👥 Who’s Involved: The European Commission, EU members Romania and Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Turkey, Ukraine, and NATO.
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📍 Where & When: Black Sea region; proposal released Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: “Turkey can play a constructive role on countering Russia’s shadow fleet,” the European Commission argues.
⚠️ Impact: The hub aims to enhance maritime security, monitor ceasefires, and improve EU relations with Turkey, which are strained despite its status as an official candidate for EU membership.
IN FULL:
The European Union (EU) is proposing the creation of a “maritime security hub” in the Black Sea region to confront Russia and protect critical infrastructure, including undersea cables, according to a European Commission document released Wednesday. Despite the appeal to regional security, the move could be seen as a significant provocation against Russia, whose ongoing invasion of Ukraine is in part aimed at securing greater Black Sea access.
According to the European Commission document, the initiative would focus on enhancing maritime capabilities for “real-time monitoring from space to seabed” and establishing an early warning system for potential threats. The hub, which EU officials suggest could be located in member states Bulgaria or Romania, would also support ceasefire negotiations and monitoring efforts in Ukraine and the broader Black Sea region. The proposal comes amid heightened concerns from Black Sea nations, including EU members Romania and Bulgaria, over Russia.
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat, emphasized the importance of a ceasefire before the hub’s full potential could be realized. “But first, we need to have a ceasefire,” she remarked, referencing a prior U.S.-brokered attempt that failed due to a lack of Russian compliance.
Turkey, which controls maritime traffic through the Bosporus Strait, is identified as a key player in the success of the proposed security measures. The European Commission noted that Ankara could “play a constructive role on countering Russia’s shadow fleet” and contribute to efforts aimed at bolstering maritime safety and energy security. The Russian “shadow fleet” is a collection of aging vessels that the country uses to circumvent oilsanctions imposed by the U.S. and EU.
In recent months, Turkey has indicated its willingness to participate in a future European “reassurance force” for Ukraine, which could include maritime assets to monitor a ceasefire. However, EU-Turkey relations remain fraught, with longstanding disputes involving EU members Greece and Cyprus and Turkey’s accession to the EU being stalled for over a decade.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos suggested that the Black Sea strategy could help foster “good neighbourly relations” with Turkey. However, she refrained from addressing the broader issue of Turkey‘s EU membership ambitions.
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