A Russian promise on Monday, Feb. 26 to set an evacuation route for civilians to leave besieged Eastern Ghouta has sparked deep forebodings in Israel. This promise accompanied an announcement by Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu that President Vladimir Putin had ordered a daily five-hour “humanitarian pause” in the fighting, which has left hundreds dead. Source: DEBKAfile
French President Emmanuel Macron came out Saturday in support of financial sanctions against EU countries which refuse to accept migrants. Source AFP
A Turkish captain was detained on June 23 after he was shot by Greek coast guards in southern Aegean Sea while transporting seven Syrian migrants with a speedboat, local media reports said. Source Hurriyet Daily news.
Italy on Saturday said “arrogant” France risked becoming its “No.1 enemy” on migration issues, a day before European leaders convene in Brussels for a hastily arranged meeting on the divisive issue. Source Reuters
