Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted Ukraine’s achievements in its war against Russia, particularly in the field of drone production, and called for his country to become a member of NATO during his address at the Defence Industry Forum held on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara. BBC Russian reported the remarks.

According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s air defence systems intercept more than 90% of Shahed drones, which he described as the best result in the world.

 “Do you really think that a country with such defence capabilities should remain outside the Alliance?” Zelenskyy asked the audience, which included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

“Ukraine’s membership in NATO is a source of exceptional defence capabilities,” the Ukrainian president added.

He said NATO, together with Ukraine, represents the alliance of the future.

Zelenskyy also referred to Ukraine’s long-range strikes against Russia, saying they had reached as far as Omsk. According to him, the strike on an oil refinery in Siberia was not an exception but a reality. He added that there is no major oil refinery left in Russia that has not come under attack by the Ukrainian armed forces.

He also referred to the “Drone Deal,” under which Ukraine’s partners — EU and NATO member states, as well as Azerbaijan and Gulf countries — could receive Ukrainian-made drones. At the same time, Zelenskyy stressed that Russia still retains one major advantage: ballistic missiles.

“As long as this war continues, please help us with air defence missiles. That is our priority. We can do the rest ourselves,” he said.

According to Zelenskyy, Europe must build a strong defence against Russian missiles and develop its own air defence systems capable of being produced on a large scale to protect against Russian strikes.

Norway will allocate 3 billion Norwegian kroner (approximately $306 million) to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence, particularly its protection against ballistic missiles. BBC reported the announcement.

“Ukraine’s fight for self-defence is also our fight. Ukraine faces daily attacks from Russia. Russia continues to strike civilians, Ukrainian cities and critical energy infrastructure.

 Although Ukraine is successfully intercepting most drones and cruise missiles, it needs to strengthen its defence against ballistic missiles. This is one of Ukraine’s most urgent priorities,” Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara.

According to a statement by the Norwegian government, the new missiles for the Patriot air defence system will be ordered directly from the U.S. manufacturer.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Iranians are not afraid of threats and that negotiations with the United States on a final deal will not take place if such threats continue.

Araghchi made the remarks in a post on X.

“Millions of proud Iranians rallied in unity to honor Grand Ayatollah Khamenei and his legacy. Neither they nor our brave Armed Forces are moved by any threats,” Araghchi wrote.

“Para 13 of the MoU is clear: Negotiations on final Deal will not commence if threats continue. Honor your signature,” the Iranian foreign minister added.

On July 6, speaking to reporters at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a warning to Tehran, saying Washington was prepared to completely destroy Iran’s infrastructure within a very short period if no diplomatic agreement was reached.

“We’re going to win either way. We’re going to make a deal or we’re going to finish the job. And finishing the job won’t be hard. I’d rather make a deal, because I don’t want to affect 91 million people. We can destroy their bridges in one hour. We can disrupt their energy supply, we can destroy their power plants. I can say that in a small part of an afternoon, all the plants would be gone. And they know it,” Trump said in a video shared by Fox News.

The body of Anastasia Berezovskaya, a woman suspected of involvement in the attempted bombing targeting Ukrainian businessman Vadym Yermolayev in Monaco, was found near Kyiv on July 6, according to law enforcement sources cited by the Ukrainian news outlet Ukrainska Pravda.

The sources said two suspects have already been detained in connection with the case. One is an active officer of Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR), while the other is a former law enforcement officer.

An explosion in Monaco on June 29 at around 9:00 p.m. injured three people, two of whom sustained serious injuries. According to media reports, the apparent targets were Yermolayev and members of his family.

According to the latest information from Monaco, investigators have ruled out terrorism as a motive. The Monaco Prosecutor General’s Office has opened an investigation into attempted murder and the placement of an explosive device in a public place.

On July 3, Interpol issued a Red Notice for 39-year-old Ukrainian citizen Anastasia Berezovskaya.

According to Monaco’s law enforcement authorities, she was suspected of planting the explosive device. Investigators identified her using surveillance footage and witness testimony.

Yermolayev is a businessman from Dnipro, the founder of the Alef industrial and commercial corporation, and one of the city’s largest property developers.

He was previously included several times in Forbes Ukraine’s list of the country’s 100 richest people. In 2019, he renounced his Ukrainian citizenship and obtained a Cypriot passport. He is currently under sanctions in Ukraine.

Negotiations between Israel and Lebanon will resume in Rome next week, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said on July 7. Arab News reported that Sa’ar made the announcement.

“Less than two weeks ago, Israel, Lebanon and the United States reached a historic framework agreement. Those negotiations are expected to continue next week in Rome, Italy,” Sa’ar said during a meeting with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul.

He added that Israel seeks peace with its neighbours and that peace must be based on security. Sa’ar also stressed that Israel has no territorial claims against Lebanon. Israel, Lebanon and the United States signed a trilateral framework agreement in Washington on June 26 aimed at ending hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel.

Under the agreement, Israeli forces will remain in the so-called security zone in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed.

The Lebanese Armed Forces are to restore control over the entire country and disarm all non-state armed groups through a gradual process. The Lebanese army will first establish full control over agreed pilot areas, after which Israeli forces will withdraw from those areas in phases. 

Israel has stressed that it has no territorial claims against Lebanon and that its actions are a response to the threat posed by Hezbollah. The parties have also stated their intention to end the conflict between them, ensure the sovereignty and security of both countries, and establish peaceful, good-neighbourly relations.

Military spending in the European Union’s 2028-2034 seven-year budget will exceed €200 billion, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said.

Von der Leyen made the remarks during the Defence Industry Forum held on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara.

“The EU’s new multiannual budget will include €131 billion for defence capabilities and €71 billion for military mobility,” TASS quoted von der Leyen as saying. 

The military mobility allocation is intended for upgrading roads, bridges and tunnels to facilitate the transport of military cargo and heavy military equipment. She also referred to the European Union’s defence support programmes, which she said could mobilise up to €950 billion for the bloc’s defence needs by 2030.

The EU’s 2028-2034 multiannual budget will be the first in the bloc’s history to allocate such a significant level of funding to defence.

The article is published under the agreement signed between Armenpress and Moldpres.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu has signed a decree appointing Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Digitalisation Eugeniu Osmochescu as acting prime minister, Moldpres news agency reported.

 He will perform the duties of prime minister during the transition period from July 8, 2026, until a new government is formed. This week, Sandu is expected to hold consultations with parliamentary factions to nominate a candidate for the post of prime minister. 

The nominee will then present a government programme and the proposed cabinet to parliament to seek a vote of confidence. 

The Party of Socialists and the National Alternative Movement recently announced that they would not participate in the consultations. 

On July 3, Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu announced his resignation after eight months in office. 

Under Moldova’s Constitution, the resignation of the prime minister results in the resignation of the entire government. Until a new cabinet is sworn in, the outgoing government remains in office in a caretaker capacity, performing only the functions necessary for the administration of public affairs.

Iran expert Nver Davtyan believes that countries in the South Caucasus should avoid projects that bypass one another and instead focus on common interests in order to achieve comprehensive regional connectivity, arguing that the TRIPP project should be implemented from that perspective.

Speaking to Armenpress, Davtyan discussed the geoeconomic and logistical aspects of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project, as well as its implementation prospects.

According to him, the project primarily envisages the comprehensive unblocking of regional transport infrastructure, although most public discussion has focused on the Meghri section and the possibility of gaining access through Nakhchivan to Iran, the Persian Gulf and Arab countries.

“If we view TRIPP solely in the context of East-West transport links, it would offer little more than transit revenues from a 43-kilometre route and perhaps contribute to strengthening relations between Armenia and the United States. However, if we examine it from the perspective of broader regional opportunities, it becomes clear that the project requires the alignment of the vital interests of several countries. Iran’s railway network must operate at full capacity and have uninterrupted access to the Black Sea through Armenia,” Davtyan said.

He added that the future of Iran-U.S. relations will also be important, as Tehran sees certain risks associated with the project and has openly acknowledged them, while seeking ways to manage those risks. According to Davtyan, the opportunities for Iran and Armenia differ.

“The question is whether we can keep those risks under control so that the project is not undermined by tensions between Iran and the United States and Armenia, as an important regional infrastructure hub, is not left empty-handed. In other words, there are issues whose resolution does not depend on us alone. TRIPP is not limited to building transport infrastructure along the 43-kilometre Meghri section. It must also provide Armenia with rail access to the Persian Gulf and Iran with rail access to the Black Sea,” he said.

Davtyan noted that Armenia offers official Tehran a number of attractive economic, infrastructure and political opportunities and has consistently sought to convince its Iranian partners that the Iranian route would operate without disruption. He added that Tehran is particularly interested in reopening the Julfa-Nakhchivan-Yerask railway section, which it considers an important component of the broader project and one that TRIPP should make possible.

“The project’s implementation also depends on Azerbaijan’s political will. Is Azerbaijan prepared to ensure uninterrupted transport through Nakhchivan? The issue also falls within Azerbaijan’s sphere of interests. Türkiye’s role must also be taken into account, because Ankara is seeking to strengthen its position as a gateway to Europe. Therefore, if there is an effort to end Nakhchivan’s isolation, the same approach should be applied to Armenia, taking Armenian interests into consideration. We need to promote our position more actively during political consultations by presenting convincing and credible arguments. Ultimately, all countries should avoid projects that bypass one another and instead focus on common interests. TRIPP should be implemented from precisely that perspective,” Davtyan concluded.

Armenia and the United States signed a framework agreement on the TRIPP project on June 4.

Following the signing, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the project had entered the implementation phase and that there were no political or financial obstacles to its execution.

Political analyst Armen Petrosyan believes there are several reasons why Israel has decided at this stage to once again place the issue of recognising the Armenian Genocide on its agenda.

Speaking to Armenpress, Petrosyan discussed the regional realities, global developments and domestic political processes in Israel that, in his view, have shaped the Israeli government’s decision.

“First and foremost, relations between Israel and Türkiye have reached an unprecedented level of tension. The political confrontation between the two countries has escalated to its highest point, with both governments continuing to exchange harsh criticism and mutual accusations. After Israel launched its military operation against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip in 2023, Türkiye became one of the strongest regional and Muslim-majority critics of the Israeli government, and that policy has now reached its peak. As the Turkish side accuses Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinians, Israel responds by referring to Türkiye’s history, namely the genocide committed against the Armenian people during the Ottoman Empire, and by bringing the issue of its recognition back onto the agenda,” Petrosyan said.

He recalled that over the past three years various Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, had repeatedly addressed the issue, while the government has now approved a draft recognising the Armenian Genocide and is considering placing it on the agenda of the Knesset for adoption as legislation.

“Another factor is linked to a broader context. Relations between Türkiye and the United States have become more active in recent months. Washington intends to sell F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye or at least provide engines for Turkish-produced fighter aircraft, which poses a serious strategic challenge for Israel. Throughout its history, Israel has sought to maintain air superiority in the region. Therefore, if Türkiye succeeds in implementing such a deal, it would create serious problems for Israel. It cannot be ruled out that one of the reasons behind Israel’s recent actions is precisely to prevent such a development,” the analyst said.

According to Petrosyan, another important factor is Israel’s domestic political situation. He noted that Israel is entering an election period, with parliamentary elections due in October, and that the current government is seeking to build its campaign around national security challenges in order to consolidate public support.

“That is why the government has once again focused on external adversaries. Alongside the Iranian issue, it is trying to demonstrate that security threats posed by Iran, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the ruling authorities in Syria and now Türkiye remain at the forefront of its agenda. By highlighting multiple external threats, Netanyahu and his government are attempting to keep public attention focused on continuing security concerns,” he said.

Asked whether Israel’s move could also undermine the Armenia-Türkiye normalisation process, Petrosyan said the issue could naturally have some impact on bilateral relations.

“However, Israel’s decision and actions are driven exclusively by the context of Israel-Türkiye relations rather than by any intention to influence third-party processes. Through this decision, the Israeli government is seeking to settle its own political differences with Türkiye. It has no interest in disrupting the Armenia-Türkiye normalisation process or creating new tensions in Armenia-Azerbaijan relations. Israel has no such long-term objective and is focused solely on its own interests and its relationship with Türkiye,” he said.

Petrosyan argued that, before initiating a process to recognise the Armenian Genocide out of genuine conviction, Israel should at least have established contacts with the Armenian authorities or held consultations with the Armenian community in Israel.

“Moreover, before launching this initiative, Israel’s foreign minister held a telephone conversation with his Azerbaijani counterpart. In other words, they coordinated the issue with Azerbaijan in order to explain the move and contain any possible reaction or attempts by Azerbaijan to intervene. Therefore, I do not believe Israel is acting out of concern for Armenia or the Armenian agenda. Rather, this step is motivated solely by its own narrow political interests,” Petrosyan concluded.

Israel’s government has unanimously approved Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s proposal to officially recognise the Armenian Genocide. The government will formally notify the Knesset and seek to place the issue on the parliament’s plenary agenda for a vote.

Bears rescued after years of captivity in Armenia can never be returned to the wild because prolonged confinement leaves lasting physical and psychological scars, according to specialists at the Wildlife Rescue Center operated by the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC).

Narine Piloyan, the center’s bear care coordinator, said rescued bears often arrive suffering from broken or damaged teeth, ulcers on their paws and footpads, various injuries and other health problems. Equally serious, however, are the behavioral disorders caused by years of confinement.

“When a wild animal spends years in captivity under constant stress, its behavior changes. Rehabilitating those behavioral changes requires long-term work to improve the animal’s welfare,” she said.

According to Piloyan, the bears are rescued from restaurants, gas stations and private properties, where many have spent years confined to small metal cages.

In many cases, they have been deprived of sunlight, shelter, natural ground beneath their feet, access to water or even a place to hide.

“This is not a habitat suitable for a wild animal. It is, in reality, a torture cell,” she said.

Established in 2016, the Wildlife Rescue Center currently cares for more than 30 rescued bears across its facilities, each with its own story of survival and rehabilitation.

Upon arrival, every animal undergoes a quarantine period during which veterinarians assess its health, conduct examinations and begin treatment. When specialized care is required, the center also works with veterinary experts from abroad.

Once physical recovery is underway, attention turns to behavioral rehabilitation.

According to Piloyan, prolonged stress and boredom are among the main causes of behavioral disorders in rescued bears. To encourage natural instincts, the center provides a variety of enrichment activities, including food-based challenges, environmental enrichment and scent stimulation.

“If a bear enjoys a particular scent, it begins interacting with it, lying near it or rubbing its fur against the surface. That shows the animal’s senses remain active, which is extremely important for a predator,” she explained.

The purpose of these activities, she said, is not merely to keep the bears occupied but to encourage natural behavior and improve their quality of life.

Despite successful rehabilitation, returning adult rescued bears to the wild is no longer possible.

Piloyan said international experience shows that wild animals kept under human care for many years lose many of the instincts necessary for survival.

“They can no longer hunt, forage, find safe shelter or protect themselves from danger. Years of being fed by humans also change their perception of people. They no longer see humans as a threat, which can have fatal consequences for both the animal and people,” she said.

Instead, the bears spend the rest of their lives in large semi-natural enclosures designed to replicate their natural habitat as closely as possible.

The enclosures include natural soil, trees, grassy areas, dens and pools, allowing the animals to express many of their natural behaviors.

“During winter they can retreat into their dens to hibernate. In spring, when grass begins to grow, they graze as they would in the wild. They overturn rocks, search for insects underneath and explore their surroundings. All of this is essential for both their physical and psychological well-being,” Piloyan said.

She noted that one reason wild animals increasingly enter populated areas is the growing shortage of food in their natural habitats, a problem to which human activity significantly contributes.

Deforestation and the large-scale collection of fruits, berries and other natural food sources reduce the resources available to wildlife, she said.

Piloyan believes that many conservation challenges ultimately stem from society’s attitude toward nature.

“Many environmental problems are the result of our own behavior. When people’s attitude toward nature changes, many of those problems begin to disappear.”

To promote that change, the center runs environmental education programs, particularly for children. Sometimes specialists visit schools, while in other cases students and summer camp participants visit the rescue center to meet the animals and learn their stories firsthand.

“We explain where each animal was rescued from, the conditions it lived in and the journey it took before arriving here. Seeing these animals with their own eyes helps children understand the seriousness of the issue far better than simply watching a video or hearing a story.”

Piloyan stressed that education is a crucial part of the long-term solution but cannot deliver immediate results on its own.

“Effective legislation, strict enforcement and consistent action by the relevant authorities are equally important. Education shapes attitudes, but it takes time. Strong laws-and their proper enforcement-can have a much more immediate impact.”