President Donald Trump has now set out a June deadline for the end of the war, and the White House expects Moscow and Kyiv to reach some sort of settlement. The operative question is whether Russia’s economic calculus can truly be changed by then.
Nigeria works to mend fences with Washington;
Attack on Niger airport highlights growing extremist threats in Sahel;
Kenya's government accuses Russia of illegal recruitment;
DRC to expand critical mineral supplies to U.S. and UAE;
Sudanese paramilitary training camp identified in Ethiopia
An African arms surge;
A new era without new start;
Russia, the spoilsport;
The cult of the "special military operation"
In February 2026, Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Budapest to herald a “new golden age” of relations, signing a major civilian nuclear deal and pledging a “financial protective shield” for Hungary. This visit followed President Trump’s “complete and total” endorsement of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who currently trails challenger Péter Magyar in the polls ahead of the April 12 election. Critics warn that making bilateral relations contingent on individual leaders turns long-term alliances into fragile transactional affairs. Furthermore, Orbán’s continued energy dependence on Russia and his security ties to China present a significant paradox for the administration’s broader “Great Power” strategy.
Is Russia sending military supplies to Cuba?;
Russians plan for austerity;
Russia's oil revenue plummets;
A coming Russian criminal wave?;
Europe isn't ready for a Russian incursion