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US Defense Secretary Hegseth Praises Poland as ‘Model NATO Ally’ in Warsaw Visit
US Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth has hailed Poland as a “model NATO ally” during his first official visit to Warsaw on Friday, where he met with Polish President Andrzej Duda and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
Strengthening US-Poland Defense Ties
Speaking after the high-level talks, Hegseth emphasized Poland’s strategic importance in NATO, calling it a “frontline state” and highlighting its commitment to defense spending.
“It’s quite intentional that our first European bilateral visit is right here in Poland,” Hegseth said. “We see Poland as the model ally on the continent, willing to invest not just in their defense but in our shared defense. Poland gets it—strong militaries deter war.”
Poland is currently the highest defense spender within NATO in relative terms, allocating 4.2% of its GDP to defense in 2024, with plans to increase that to 4.7% in the coming years.
Poland’s Defense Strategy and NATO Commitments
Defense Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz reiterated Poland’s strong defense posture, aligning with former US President Donald Trump’s proposal for NATO members to increase military spending to 5% of GDP.
“We need a clear action plan,” Kosiniak-Kamysz stated. “A radical annual increase in defense spending to reach 5% of GDP must be the goal.”
However, he acknowledged that not all NATO members could meet this target immediately, particularly those currently spending around 2% of GDP. Poland’s defense spending has steadily increased over the past decade, rising from 1.88% of GDP in 2014 to 2.23% in 2023, and continues to grow in response to heightened security threats following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
US Military Presence in Poland
The United States and Poland share a close military alliance, with approximately 8,000 US troops currently stationed in the country. The presence of American forces in Poland has expanded significantly in recent years, particularly after a 2019 defense agreement signed by then-President Donald Trump and President Duda, which saw 1,000 additional US troops deployed on a rotational basis.
In 2023, the US established a permanent military base in Poland, further solidifying its role as a key NATO defense hub.
Future of US-Poland Defense Cooperation
As both nations navigate evolving security challenges, particularly regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, defense cooperation is expected to remain a top priority. Hegseth’s visit signals Washington’s continued commitment to Poland’s security, reinforcing its role as a critical NATO partner at a time of increasing geopolitical tensions.
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Two Dead, Nearly 200 Injured as PSG Title Celebrations Turn Violent Across France

What began as jubilant celebrations of Paris Saint-Germain’s historic UEFA Champions League victory ended in violence and tragedy in parts of France, with two people killed and nearly 200 injured during street festivities that spiraled out of control.
Authorities confirmed on Sunday that a 17-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in the southwestern town of Dax during a PSG street gathering, while in Paris, a man died after his scooter was struck by a car amid the crowded celebrations. Both incidents are currently under investigation.
The unrest followed PSG’s dramatic win in Munich, where the club secured its first-ever Champions League title, marking a milestone in French football history. While fans across the country took to the streets to celebrate, several areas descended into violence.
According to the French Interior Ministry, a total of 294 people were arrested nationwide as of 2 a.m. Sunday. Of the nearly 200 injured, 21 were police officers—18 of them in Paris alone. One officer remains in a medically induced coma after being struck in the face by a firework.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the violence in a statement on social media. “True PSG fans are celebrating a magnificent achievement. Meanwhile, barbarians have taken to the streets to commit crimes and provoke law enforcement,” he said. “It is unacceptable that people cannot celebrate without being endangered by a violent minority.”
Despite the unrest, the majority of gatherings were peaceful, authorities noted, with large crowds celebrating the historic win in cities including Marseille, Lyon, and Lille.
The PSG squad returned to Paris from Munich on Sunday afternoon aboard a Qatar Airways charter flight, arriving at 4 p.m. The team is expected to continue celebrations in the capital with tens of thousands of fans, under heightened security measures.
The violent turn of events has reignited debate in France over crowd control during major sporting celebrations, and how best to ensure public safety without dampening national enthusiasm.
PSG’s Champions League triumph marks a defining moment for the club, which has long pursued European glory. As the team prepares for a hero’s welcome, officials are urging fans to celebrate responsibly and respect public safety.
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Ukraine Launches Major Drone Assault on Russian Airfields, Hits Over 40 Strategic Bombers

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has claimed responsibility for a large-scale drone strike on four Russian air bases over the weekend, targeting dozens of strategic bombers across vast swaths of Russian territory — from Siberia to the Arctic.
According to Ukrainian officials, the operation, codenamed “Spiderweb” (Pavutyna), was launched on June 1 and struck 41 long-range bombers stationed at airfields in Russia’s Ryazan, Ivanovo, Irkutsk, and Murmansk regions. The attack is being hailed by Kyiv as one of its most ambitious and far-reaching strikes since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
“Enemy strategic bombers are burning en masse in Russia,” a senior SBU official said, noting that the operation was specifically designed to cripple Moscow’s airstrike capabilities. “This is a large-scale special operation aimed at destroying enemy bomber aircraft.”
The four airfields targeted were Dyagilevo in the Ryazan region, Ivanovo in central Russia, Belaya air base in Irkutsk — over 4,000 kilometers from the front lines — and Olenya air base on the Kola Peninsula near the Arctic, roughly 2,000 kilometers from Ukraine’s border.
Ukrainian officials described the complex logistics of the operation, which involved covertly transporting drones deep into Russian territory, hiding them until the time of launch, and remotely executing the strikes. While specific details remain classified, Ukraine previously revealed it had developed drones with a flight range of up to 3,000 kilometers, enabling long-range operations like this.
Satellite imagery analyzed after the attack shows the presence of several high-value Russian aircraft types at the affected bases, including the Tu-95, Tu-22M3, Tu-160, and A-50 radar planes. These aircraft have been central to Russia’s long-range missile campaign against Ukraine.
The Tu-22M3, for example, is capable of carrying Kh-22 and Kh-32 cruise missiles at speeds exceeding Mach 4. The Tu-95, a Cold War-era bomber once designed to carry nuclear weapons, has been retrofitted to launch conventional cruise missiles. The A-50 aircraft provides airborne radar surveillance and target coordination for Russian forces.
The scale of the strike underscores Ukraine’s growing long-range capabilities and signals a shift in Kyiv’s strategy to disrupt Russian air operations at their source. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had held meetings with the Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs, along with the General Staff and SBU, to coordinate further defense and counter-offensive planning.
There has been no immediate official response from Moscow regarding the extent of damage caused.
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