Jul 29, 2026, 06:30 AM UTC

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with US President Donald Trump at the White House for talks lasting over an hour aimed at helping "activate the diplomatic process." Zelenskyy stated that while Washington, Kyiv, and European partners seek to end the conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin refuses to negotiate even a temporary ceasefire. The meeting followed a visit to Kyiv by political commentator Laura Loomer, whose revised stance on Ukraine was publicly acknowledged by Trump.

Simultaneously, US Central Command reported that Iranian forces launched several ballistic missiles toward American military bases in the Middle East, all of which were intercepted. Trump subsequently stated that while diplomatic negotiations with Tehran remain underway, failure to reach an agreement could lead the US to resume "very strong military action."

Sources: NEXTA, Point, Ukrinform

Rescue operations in southern Japan are intensifying following a powerful earthquake on Kyushu island, where at least 13 people have been killed. A subsequent magnitude 3 aftershock hit Kumamoto Prefecture as search teams continue working through rubble at a collapsed shopping center in Kashima, where an explosion was reported. Emergency crews are also searching for workers missing after a chimney collapsed at a local paper factory.

The initial quake displaced more than 150,000 residents and left over 40,000 households without electricity. Structural damage remains widespread across the region, including destroyed bridges, damaged roads, and collapsed historical walls. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that authorities are still assessing the full extent of the devastation, while officials warn the death toll could rise further.

Sources: BBC News, NOS, ORF, TV 2 Nyheter.

US President Donald Trump hosted separate meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. The discussions occurred alongside attendances related to the funeral of former US Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent advocate for American support to Ukraine.

During their Oval Office session, Trump and Zelenskyy focused on measures to reinforce Ukraine's air defense network against Russian missile strikes. A Ukrainian official noted that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are considering a trip to Kyiv to help restart peace talks. Netanyahu characterized his meeting with Trump as "excellent," while White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described both engagements as "positive and productive." Following his session at the White House, Zelenskyy was scheduled to meet with members of the US Senate.

Sources: HRT Vijesti, Tanjug, Vijesti

Firefighters in Western Europe continue to battle persistent wildfires amid threats of an incoming heatwave. In Spain, emergency crews partially contained a major blaze near Madrid, allowing approximately 24,000 displaced residents to return to their homes. However, three large wildfires across the country have consumed roughly 77,000 hectares, with a massive fire in the Ávila region continuing to pose a severe hazard.

In France, crews remain deployed near Bordeaux where flames advanced within 15 kilometers of the city. Extreme heat, severe drought, and strong winds have contributed to widespread evacuations affecting roughly 220,000 people across both nations.

Addressing the ongoing emergency, the European Union's crisis management commissioner stated that the EU requires expanded funding, improved forest management, and increased public awareness to effectively combat climate-driven wildfire risks.

Sources: HRT Vijesti

Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan will make his first official foreign visit to Bucharest on July 30, meeting Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan and President Nicușor Dan to discuss economic cooperation, regional security, and European integration. The talks come as Romania's opposition party AUR renewed calls for snap elections after 84 days without a government.

In Moldova, defense lawyers for Gagauzia Governor Evghenia Guțul appealed her seven-year prison sentence to the Supreme Court of Justice following an unfavorable appellate ruling. Separately, the National Bank of Moldova defended its executive compensation structure amid growing public scrutiny over staff salaries, claiming the criticism was part of a campaign to "discredit and undermine public trust in the central bank."

Sources: Point