Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said Washington would not oppose a shipment from Russia or other countries if intended to alleviate shortages. “If a country wants to send some oil into Cuba right now, I have no problem whether it’s Russia or not,” he said.

Shipping data cited in reports shows a tanker carrying roughly 730,000 barrels of oil nearing Cuba’s eastern coast, with an expected arrival in Matanzas. The vessel is expected to deliver fuel that could yield about 180,000 barrels of diesel, enough to meet the country’s demand for more than a week.

The tanker, identified as the Anatoly Kolodkin, is under sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom following the war in Ukraine.

Trump’s remarks come despite his administration’s intensified efforts to restrict oil flows to Cuba in a bid to pressure its government. He has previously threatened punitive tariffs on third countries supplying oil to the island.

The blockade has contributed to widespread fuel shortages, with reports of prolonged blackouts and disruptions to public transport and healthcare services across Cuba.Cuba has long been a focal point of strategic competition between the United States and Russia.

Trump dismissed suggestions that allowing the shipment would benefit Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying the delivery would have limited impact beyond addressing immediate needs.

He said he would prefer allowing fuel deliveries to ease hardship for civilians, citing the need for electricity, heating and cooling as essential services.

Speaking at a session of the Supreme People’s Assembly, Kim said expanding a “self-defensive nuclear deterrent” was essential for national security, economic development and regional stability, according to the official KCNA news agency.

Kim rejected the possibility of exchanging nuclear disarmament for economic incentives or security guarantees, saying North Korea had already demonstrated that it could pursue development alongside maintaining nuclear capabilities.

He said global conditions, marked by what he described as violations of sovereignty through force, underscored the necessity of nuclear weapons as the ultimate guarantee of state survival.

Analysts in South Korea said the remarks appeared to indirectly reference recent U.S. military actions against Iran, reinforcing Pyongyang’s longstanding position that nuclear deterrence is essential to prevent external intervention.

Kim said South Korea had been designated the “most hostile state” and warned that any infringement on North Korea’s sovereignty would be met without hesitation.The comments signal a continued shift in Pyongyang’s policy away from reconciliation, effectively redefining inter-Korean relations as those between two adversarial states rather than potential partners for reunification.

Officials at South Korea’s Blue House described the remarks as detrimental to peaceful coexistence, calling for dialogue and cooperation to ensure stability on the Korean peninsula.

Economic plan and defence spendingAlongside security policy, Kim outlined a new five-year economic plan focused on industrial modernisation, increased energy production, agricultural output and housing expansion.

The assembly also approved a 2026 state budget allocating 15.8% of total expenditure to defence, with explicit funding for nuclear and military capabilities, according to KCNA.

A message from Vladimir Putin was delivered during the session, pledging deeper strategic ties between Moscow and Pyongyang.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has reaffirmed the alliance’s strength and unity after the successful completion of its annual nuclear exercise, stating that the drills showcased the credibility and preparedness of NATO’s nuclear deterrence capabilities in the face of rising tensions with Russia.

Speaking to German media, Rutte emphasized that the exercise, conducted earlier this month, demonstrated the alliance’s ability to respond decisively to any form of nuclear intimidation.

“When Russia is using dangerous and reckless nuclear rhetoric, our populations must know that there is no need to panic, because NATO has a strong nuclear deterrent,” he said.

Rutte’s remarks come at a critical time, as Russia continues to issue nuclear threats in connection with its war in Ukraine. The NATO chief sought to reassure citizens across member nations that the alliance remains capable and united in its commitment to collective defense.

“Putin must know that nuclear war can never be won and must never be fought,” Rutte added, echoing a long-standing principle that has underpinned global nuclear stability for decades.

The annual NATO nuclear exercise, known for its strict operational secrecy, brings together multiple member states to test readiness and coordination.

This year’s drills reportedly included simulated flight operations, nuclear strike scenarios, and rapid-response coordination between ground, air, and naval forces.

The exercises are seen as a vital demonstration of the alliance’s defensive posture and its message of deterrence against any nuclear escalation.

Rutte, who took over as NATO Secretary-General earlier this year, has been vocal about strengthening deterrence and reinforcing unity among members.

His leadership comes at a moment when the alliance faces one of its most complex security environments in decades, marked by the ongoing war in Ukraine, cyber threats, and increasing geopolitical competition.

He noted that while NATO does not seek confrontation, it cannot afford complacency. “Our deterrence remains defensive, measured, and responsible,” Rutte said. “But it is also unshakable. Every adversary must understand that NATO will defend every inch of allied territory.”

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly issued nuclear warnings since launching the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In October, he declared that Moscow could consider using nuclear weapons if struck by conventional missiles, and that any attack supported by a nuclear power would be treated as a joint assault on Russia. These comments have intensified global concerns about the potential for escalation.

Rutte, however, stressed that NATO remains firmly focused on preventing such a scenario. The alliance’s collective deterrence strategy, he explained, is built not just on nuclear capabilities but also on diplomacy, strategic stability, and transparency among allies. “Our goal is not to provoke conflict but to preserve peace through strength,” he said.

The NATO chief’s confidence follows a broader pattern of reassurance within the alliance. Member nations, including the United States, United Kingdom, and France — all nuclear powers — have reaffirmed their commitments to NATO’s shared defense framework. These exercises serve both as a technical test of readiness and as a political signal of cohesion among allies.

Analysts say Rutte’s strong stance sends a message of stability to both allies and adversaries. It underscores NATO’s capability to deter aggression while maintaining the balance of power that has prevented direct conflict between nuclear states since the Cold War.

As tensions between Russia and the West remain high, the success of NATO’s nuclear drills reinforces a clear message: the alliance is alert, united, and prepared.

For citizens across Europe and North America, Rutte’s words serve as a reminder that deterrence, discipline, and diplomacy remain central to NATO’s mission — ensuring that the shadow of nuclear war stays where it belongs: in history, not in reality.

The Kremlin emphasized that its defense strategies and technological advancements are guided by a commitment to safeguarding national sovereignty, maintaining global stability, and ensuring security through preparedness and innovation.

During a media briefing in Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov underlined that Russia’s military and scientific initiatives are not intended to provoke or escalate tensions with any nation.

Instead, they reflect the country’s ongoing efforts to maintain a secure and balanced defense posture in a rapidly changing world.

Peskov reiterated that the testing of the Burevestnik missile was part of Russia’s broader strategy to strengthen deterrence capabilities and ensure the safety of its citizens in an evolving global security landscape.

He noted that such advancements are conducted transparently and within the framework of international norms. Russia’s approach, he explained, is based on a principle of responsible defense development—where the focus lies on stability, peace, and readiness rather than confrontation.

The Kremlin spokesperson emphasized that Russia remains open to dialogue with all nations, including the United States, on matters of arms control, nuclear safety, and strategic cooperation.

Observers see Moscow’s statement as a sign of balance between firmness and diplomacy. While Russia continues to protect its strategic interests, it also expresses willingness to engage constructively with global partners to reduce misunderstanding and promote peace.

The ongoing discussions about global security, arms limitations, and disarmament remain areas where Russia believes transparent communication and mutual respect are vital.

Peskov highlighted that Russia does not seek to undermine international trust but to strengthen it through technological advancement and responsible governance.

The Burevestnik missile test, according to defense analysts, represents a continued pursuit of innovation and scientific excellence within Russia’s defense sector, reflecting the nation’s emphasis on technological self-reliance and modernization.

The test also underscores the government’s ongoing investment in research, safety mechanisms, and oversight to ensure that advancements serve peaceful deterrence purposes.

He further mentioned that Russia’s defense priorities have always been shaped by its historical experiences and the necessity to remain self-sufficient in a world of shifting alliances and evolving security challenges.

The aim, he said, is to achieve long-term stability, peace, and global balance through strong but responsible defense measures.

At the same time, the Kremlin acknowledged the importance of maintaining open channels with Washington and other key partners.

Diplomatic experts in Moscow believe that constructive dialogue, rather than criticism or confrontation, will pave the way toward a more cooperative global environment.

They stress that issues like arms control and conflict resolution require a spirit of partnership and shared responsibility among leading powers.

Russia’s reaffirmation of its sovereign course comes at a time when global security discussions are intensifying. Moscow’s message conveys both confidence in its scientific and military capabilities and a broader call for diplomatic engagement.

The Kremlin’s position reinforces that technological progress in defense should coexist with dialogue, transparency, and peacekeeping efforts.

As nations navigate complex geopolitical realities, Russia continues to emphasize that every sovereign state has the right to protect its national interests, develop its defense systems, and contribute responsibly to international peace and security.

In reaffirming this stance, the Kremlin sends a message not of defiance, but of determination—to act independently while remaining open to collaboration and understanding in the pursuit of a safer and more stable world.

3:05pm: Russian forces intensify shelling of strategic eastern city of Bakhmut

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday that Ukrainian troops were facing a “most difficult” situation near the eastern town of Bakhmut, which has been under attack from the Russian army for weeks.

Ukraine is clawing back territory in both the east and south, occupied by Russia for months, but is facing a challenge in some areas.

“A very severe situation persists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions,” Zelensky said, referring to two of the regions Russia claims to have annexed in staged referendums in September.

“The most difficult is near Bakhmut, like in previous days. We are still holding our positions,” he said.

Russian troops have for weeks been pummelling Bakhmut, a wine-making and salt-mining city that once had a population of 70,000.

3:05pm: Ukraine says shooting in Russian military base caused by row over religion

The gunmen who killed 11 and wounded 15 at a Russian military training camp near the Ukrainian border were from Tajikistan and had opened fire after an argument over religion, Oleksiy Arestovych, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said on YouTube.

No civilians died in the attack but many soldiers were killed or wounded, the governor of Russia’s Belgorod region said.

2:45pm: Russia says Belgorod region bordering Ukraine hit by fresh strikes

The Russian Belgorod region bordering Ukraine was hit by strikes on Sunday, leaving at least four people injured in the latest attacks in the area, Russian officials said.

“As a result of shelling in Belgorod, three people from the same family were injured,” regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov posted on Telegram on Sunday after visiting the family. Two of them were hospitalised. 

Gladkov posted photos of damage, smashed windows and craters after strikes in the city and in the region of Belgorod. Around 16 explosions were recorded in the city of Belgorod, Russia’s investigative committee, which investigates serious crimes, said Sunday.

2:14pm: Belarus says it is hosting just under 9,000 Russian troops

The defence ministry in Minsk on Sunday said just under 9,000 Russian troops would be stationed in Belarus as part of a “regional grouping” of forces to protect its borders.

“The first troop trains with Russian servicemen who are part of the (regional grouping) began to arrive in Belarus,” Valeriy Revenko, head of the defence ministry’s international military cooperation department, wrote on Twitter. “The relocation will take several days.”

“The total number will be a little less than 9,000 people.”

More information would be provided at a briefing for military attachés, he added.

1:22pm: Russia says its forces repelled Ukrainian advances in Donetsk, Kherson, Mykolaiv regions

Russia’s defence ministry on Sunday said its forces had repelled efforts by Ukrainian troops to advance in the Donetsk, Kherson and Mykolaiv regions, inflicting what it described as significant losses against the enemy.

The battlefield reports could not immediately be verified.

Russia also said it was continuing air strikes on military and energy targets in Ukraine, using long-range precision-guided weapons.

11:26am: Rockets strike mayor’s office in separatist Donetsk

The mayor’s office in a key eastern Ukrainian city controlled by pro-Kremlin separatists was struck by rockets Sunday morning, Russian state agencies reported. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

According to RIA Novosti, the municipal building in Donetsk was seriously damaged by the attack, which local separatist authorities blamed on Ukraine. 

Photos circulating on social media showed plumes of smoke swirling around the building, rows of blown-out windows and a partially collapsed ceiling. RIA Novosti and local media also reported that three cars parked nearby had burnt out as a result of the strike. 

Kyiv didn’t immediately claim responsibility or comment on the attack. 

6:59am: No civilians killed in attack at Russian military base, says local governor

No civilians were killed in the attack at a military base in Russia’s Belgorod region, but many soldiers were killed or wounded, the governor of Belgorod region Vyacheslav Gladkov said early on Sunday.

“A terrible event happened on our territory, on the territory of one of the military units,” Gladkov said in a video post on the Telegram messaging app.

“Many soldiers were killed and wounded … There are no residents of the Belgorod region among the wounded and killed.”

Gladkov did not say how many soldiers were killed. The state RIA news agency cited the defence ministry as saying that 11 people were killed and 15 others were wounded. 

9:36pm: At least 11 dead, 15 wounded in shooting at Russian military training ground

At least 11 people were killed and 15 more wounded at a training ground in south-western Russia on Saturday when two attackers opened fire on a group of volunteers who wished to fight in Ukraine, the RIA news agency said.

The Russian news agency, citing the defence ministry, said the two assailants had been shot dead after the attack in the Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine. It said they were nationals from a former Soviet republic but did not give any details.

“During a firearms training session with individuals who voluntarily expressed a desire to participate in the special military operation (against Ukraine), the terrorists opened fire with small arms on the personnel of the unit,” RIA cited a defence ministry statement as saying. “As a result of the shooting, 11 people were fatally wounded. Another 15 people with wounds of varying severity were taken to a medical facility,” it said.

Authorities in Belgorod have repeatedly accused Ukraine of attacking targets in the city, but Kyiv has not claimed any responsibility.

Based on inputs from FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and REUTERS.