Aug 6, 2026, 06:30 PM UTC

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that diplomatic negotiations with Tehran are ongoing, describing the discussions as Iran's "last chance" to seal a long-term agreement. Trump noted that regional partners, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, support the talks, while warning that American military options remain prepared if diplomacy fails.

Concurrently, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker confirmed that Washington and Kyiv are unlikely to conclude a joint Patriot missile interceptor production agreement before winter, though broader air defense collaboration continues.

In Russia, Ukrainian drone strikes hit e-commerce firm Wildberries facilities across the Moscow, Tver, and Saint Petersburg regions, killing at least five people and injuring ten others near the capital.

Sources: Kanal 5, Makfax, MIA (Media Information Agency), SDK, Sloboden Pečat

Cross-border bombardments between Russia and Ukraine have intensified, resulting in significant civilian casualties. Russian strikes targeting Kyiv killed at least 17 people and injured dozens, while glide bombs struck Zaporizhzhia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed calls for additional air defenses, noting that interceptors could have saved lives. In response, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed discussions with allies to bolster Ukrainian air defense capabilities.

Simultaneously, Ukrainian drone attacks hit targets in Crimea, Belgorod, and near Gelendzhik, causing multiple fatalities. Political and military developments also surfaced: former US President Donald Trump urged caution regarding Patriot production in Ukraine, stating, "We must be careful who we give our weapon secrets to." Additionally, an Italian military ship intercepted a Russian shadow fleet tanker near Pantelleria, and Ukrainian intelligence reported the deployment of a North Korean missile unit within Russian territory.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica, La Stampa.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić visited the municipality of Jezero in Bosnia and Herzegovina's Serb-majority entity, Republika Srpska, pledging substantial financial aid from Belgrade. Meeting with local officials and residents, Vučić reaffirmed Serbia's ongoing commitment to supporting Serb communities throughout neighboring Western Balkan nations.

In his speech, Vučić cautioned against external diplomatic intervention in regional affairs, drawing parallels to foreign meddling following the 1878 Congress of Berlin. He claimed that outside powers continuously attempt to restrict Serbia's sovereignty and regional influence. The visit underscores Belgrade's long-standing policy of delivering development assistance and political backing to Serb-populated municipalities across the region.

Sources: Tanjug

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković announced plans to increase average net monthly salaries to €1,600 by 2028, with upcoming October consultations planned to establish a new minimum wage. Meanwhile, findings from the 2026 Reuters Institute report highlighted that 63 percent of Croatian respondents frequently avoid news coverage, placing the country among the highest globally alongside Greece, Bulgaria, and Turkey.

In Malta, testimony in the trial of businessman Yorgen Fenech detailed the corruption investigations conducted by journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia before her 2017 assassination. Separately, Greek firefighters, supported by volunteers and military units, continued operations against a large forest fire in the Kithairon mountains near Megara.

Sources: HRT Vijesti, Index, N1, Poslovni dnevnik, Vijesti

Former Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte testified before a parliamentary inquiry commission investigating the country's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Defending his administration's response, the Five Star Movement leader denied any wrongdoing and criticized the committee, characterizing it as a "firing squad" organized by the governing majority. During his testimony, Conte revealed that he had submitted an anonymous document to Rome prosecutors regarding potentially counterfeit protective masks procured during the health crisis, urging authorities to investigate the matter fully. Meanwhile, separate parliamentary proceedings saw the Chamber of Deputies reject a prosecutor's request to acquire chat logs from Justice Undersecretary Andrea Delmastro, drawing criticism from opposition parties.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, Il Sole 24 Ore, La Repubblica.