Ankara: US President Donald Trump declared his intention to adopt a "hard" stance on the Gaza Strip, contingent upon his decision-making, ahead of an impending weekend deadline. "I don't know what's going to happen at 12 o'clock. If it was up to me, I'd take a very hard stance. I can't tell you what Israel is going to do," Trump stated to reporters in the Oval Office. Earlier in the week, Trump suggested the cancellation of a Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas if all hostages in the area were not freed by Saturday.
According to Anadolu Agency, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan engaged in discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the situations in Syria and Gaza, among other concerns. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the 61st Munich Security Conference, marked their first face-to-face interaction. Fidan conveyed Trkiye's perspectives on addressing the ISIS threat and underscored the necessity of a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, emphasizing the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as crucial for regional peace.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed the need for continued efforts to conclude the Russia-Ukraine war. Following a meeting with US Vice President JD Vance in Munich, Zelenskyy conveyed gratitude for American support, notably from President Trump. Zelenskyy reported having a productive conversation with Vance during the Munich Security Conference, highlighting the importance of devising strategies to halt Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions.
In other news, the Holy See's secretary of state asserted that the Palestinian population must remain in its land. Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen opposed US reciprocal tariffs on the EU, advocating against trade wars and punitive tariffs. At the Munich Security Conference, US Vice President JD Vance criticized European entities for perceived democratic backsliding, while German authorities investigated a car attack in Munich that injured 36, citing no terror group connection despite possible religious motives.
Further, German officials expressed concern over President Trump's direct talks with Russian President Putin on Ukraine peace negotiations, which occurred without European ally coordination. Japan's Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya indicated that Japan would implement "appropriate measures" in response to US tariffs. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier cautioned against hasty US-Russia peace negotiations on Ukraine, warning of potential repercussions for allies.