The European Parliament approved the EU rearmament plan with 419 votes, splitting Italian political forces - FdI voting in favor, Lega against, and PD fractured between supporters and abstainers. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov called von der Leyen a "Führer" in response.
Trade tensions intensified as Trump's 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum took effect, prompting the EU to announce €26 billion in countermeasures targeting Republican-supporting states. Canada added its own $20 billion in retaliation, bringing the total to $46 billion. Trump promised to "respond and win."
The Ukraine ceasefire proposal saw contradictory signals - Zelensky expressed readiness for a 30-day truce despite distrust, while the Kremlin urged caution. Trump threatened "devastating financial sanctions" against Russia if fighting continued, announcing negotiators would travel to Moscow this week. Meanwhile, Putin visited Kursk, demanding its complete liberation as Ukrainian forces began withdrawing.
