German Chancellor Merz said the country's governance system has become overly complex.

On the 19th, Slovak Prime Minister Fico said the Russia-Ukraine war is not Slovakia’s war and Slovakia should not be drawn into a direct military confrontation between NATO and Russia. He said parties seeking to provoke a NATO-Russia military clash should assume responsibility rather than shifting risk onto other NATO members. Fico called for immediate peace talks, warned further military escalation would raise European security and economic risks, and urged a more rational approach to NATO’s Article 5 collective-defense clause.

QatarEnergy CEO said the company is seriously considering entering the Venezuelan market alongside partners.