Wider Europe Briefing: More Russia Sanctions But Will Belarus Potash Restrictions Be Dropped?

• Rustem Umerov, a top negotiator for President Zelenskyy, has traveled to Berlin to hold high-level meetings with national security advisers from Germany, France, and the U.K. (the E3 group). • The discussions occur during a period of escalating Russian threats against Kyiv and ongoing diplomatic tensions regarding Ukraine's bid to join the European Union.

• Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar has announced plans to establish special committees to investigate alleged misconduct by Viktor Orbán's previous administration. • The probe aims to uncover systemic irregularities and potential abuses of power that occurred during Orbán's tenure.

• SCOTUSblog reported that Supreme Court oral argument sessions are getting longer, raising questions about how the justices manage time and case presentation. • The trend has drawn attention because expanded arguments can change how much each justice can probe the lawyers and how many cases the Court can hear efficiently.

• President Donald Trump said a peace deal with Iran is close, even as U.S. military strikes and renewed fighting kept diplomacy on edge on Tuesday. • Iran denounced the U.S. strikes as evidence of “bad faith and unreliability,” while Iran also demanded any deal address hostilities in Lebanon and Gaza.

• Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has urged the United States to evacuate its diplomatic staff from the embassy in Kyiv. • This demand comes as President Vladimir Putin threatens "revenge strikes" against Ukraine, escalating tensions between the two nations.

• Filipino radio anchor and commentator Nestor Micator was shot dead by two unidentified assailants on May 21 in the Malidegao locality of Cotabato. • Micator served as a prominent news anchor for D’Empire Radio in the southern Philippines.

• Filipino journalist and Fort Pikit village council member Nestor Micator was shot dead in Cotabato, sparking urgent demands for justice from press groups. • According to the PEC, Micator is the third journalist killed in the Philippines and the 32nd media victim globally since January 1, 2026.

• India and the United States are reportedly nearing a strategic pact to secure the supply of critical minerals, aiming to reduce dependencies on volatile global markets. • In a separate legal development on Tuesday, a special PMLA court in Mumbai ordered the remand of self-styled godman Ashok Kharat.

• Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to meet with the Congress central leadership on the morning of May 26. • The primary focus of the meeting is to discuss strategy for the upcoming elections to the Rajya Sabha and the Legislative Council.

• The Philippines is facing a series of "seismic" challenges, including the International Criminal Court's recent legal developments regarding former President Rodrigo Duterte. • Economic stability is under threat as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation warns of slower regional growth driven by Middle East conflicts and oil shocks.

• Relatives of missing sabungeros have publicly denied participating in an alleged P1-billion settlement deal with businessman Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang. • During a press conference in Bulacan, the families accused certain members of their own circles of brokering secret negotiations without their consent.