On May 18, 2025, Russian authorities detained a Greek-owned oil tanker called the Green Admire shortly after it left the Estonian port of Sillamae. The vessel, flying under a Liberian flag, was following a well-established route through Russian territorial waters—part of a maritime safety agreement between Russia, Estonia, and Finland. It was carrying shale oil bound for Rotterdam and used this channel to avoid the shallow and dangerous waters off Estonia’s coast. Despite all this, Russia decided to seize the ship, making it the first time such a detention has happened under these circumstances.
Estonia didn’t take the move lightly. The government immediately announced it would reroute all shipping traffic from Sillamae exclusively through Estonian waters, no longer relying on the shared route. The Estonian Foreign Minister described Russia’s behavior as “unpredictable” and wasted no time in briefing NATO allies. The whole ordeal is part of a bigger pattern that’s been unfolding in the Baltic Sea.
Just three days earlier, the Estonian navy tried to stop an unregistered tanker they suspected was part of Russia’s “shadow fleet”—a ragtag group of older ships Moscow uses to dodge Western sanctions and keep oil flowing under the radar. That operation was cut short when Russia scrambled a fighter jet, which brazenly crossed into Estonian airspace. For a NATO country like Estonia, that’s not just a nuisance—it’s a serious escalation.
These moves fit a broader trend: Russia using hybrid tactics to keep its energy exports alive and keep the West off balance. Between aggressive flyovers, underwater sabotage, and now detaining tankers on agreed routes, the Kremlin is turning up the heat in the Baltic. Estonia’s decision to reroute shipping isn’t just about avoiding conflict—it’s a signal that the Baltics are fed up with Russia’s games and are ready to take more control of their own backyard.
For NATO, this is yet another flare in an already tense region. With military and commercial lines increasingly blurred, the risk of an accidental clash keeps growing. Everyone’s watching what happens next, but one thing’s clear: the Baltic Sea is becoming a pressure point in the standoff between Russia and the West.
On May 18, 2025, Russian authorities detained a Greek-owned oil tanker called the Green Admire shortly after it left the Estonian port of Sillamae. The vessel, flying under a Liberian flag, was following a well-established route through Russian territorial waters—part of a maritime safety agreement between Russia, Estonia, and Finland. It was carrying shale oil bound for Rotterdam and used this channel to avoid the shallow and dangerous waters off Estonia’s coast. Despite all this, Russia decided to seize the ship, making it the first time such a detention has happened under these circumstances.
Estonia didn’t take the move lightly. The government immediately announced it would reroute all shipping traffic from Sillamae exclusively through Estonian waters, no longer relying on the shared route. The Estonian Foreign Minister described Russia’s behavior as “unpredictable” and wasted no time in briefing NATO allies. The whole ordeal is part of a bigger pattern that’s been unfolding in the Baltic Sea.
Just three days earlier, the Estonian navy tried to stop an unregistered tanker they suspected was part of Russia’s “shadow fleet”—a ragtag group of older ships Moscow uses to dodge Western sanctions and keep oil flowing under the radar. That operation was cut short when Russia scrambled a fighter jet, which brazenly crossed into Estonian airspace. For a NATO country like Estonia, that’s not just a nuisance—it’s a serious escalation.
These moves fit a broader trend: Russia using hybrid tactics to keep its energy exports alive and keep the West off balance. Between aggressive flyovers, underwater sabotage, and now detaining tankers on agreed routes, the Kremlin is turning up the heat in the Baltic. Estonia’s decision to reroute shipping isn’t just about avoiding conflict—it’s a signal that the Baltics are fed up with Russia’s games and are ready to take more control of their own backyard.
For NATO, this is yet another flare in an already tense region. With military and commercial lines increasingly blurred, the risk of an accidental clash keeps growing. Everyone’s watching what happens next, but one thing’s clear: the Baltic Sea is becoming a pressure point in the standoff between Russia and the West.
Vance and Zelensky Meet in Rome
On May 18, 2025, U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met face-to-face in Rome at the residence of the American ambassador. Also in attendance was U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The meeting took place on the sidelines of a high-profile event—the inaugural Mass for Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican—bringing together heads of state from around the world. This was the first time Vance and Zelensky had met in person since a tense and widely reported exchange in the Oval Office back in February.
The timing of the meeting was no coincidence. President Trump is preparing for a pivotal phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, aimed at possibly ending the war in Ukraine. Against that backdrop, Zelensky came into the room with a clear message: Ukraine is ready for “real diplomacy,” but any ceasefire must be full and unconditional. The leaders hashed out key topics, including sanctions on Russia, U.S.-Ukrainian trade and defense ties, and the evolving situation on the battlefield. They also touched on an upcoming prisoner swap that had been negotiated in Istanbul.
The diplomatic backdrop is intense. Just days earlier, Russian and Ukrainian envoys met in Istanbul to try hammering out a ceasefire—those talks ended with no breakthrough. Meanwhile, European leaders like German Chancellor Friedrich Merz are staying closely involved, meeting with Zelensky and American officials in an effort to line up the West behind a coordinated diplomatic push. Zelensky also made a point of meeting with Pope Leo XIV, thanking him for the Vatican’s willingness to act as a potential mediator in future talks with Moscow.
The meeting in Rome was more than a symbolic handshake. It showed that, despite the setbacks and continued Russian aggression, the U.S. and Ukraine are still locked in step on the need to keep diplomatic channels open. With Europe, the Vatican, and Washington all leaning in, this moment could prove pivotal in shaping what comes next in the war.
Israel Will Allow a Small Amount of Aid Into Gaza
After months of near-total blockade, Israel has agreed to let a small amount of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The move comes just before the launch of a new aid delivery system managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a group backed by both Israel and the United States. This new system is set to begin operations by the end of May and will be closely monitored to ensure that aid reaches civilians—not Hamas.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave the green light following a security cabinet meeting, citing the need to prevent a full-blown hunger crisis that could disrupt Israel’s ongoing military campaign against Hamas. Until the new system is fully up and running, a handful of international organizations—including the UN World Food Programme and the World Central Kitchen—will handle distribution of the resumed aid.
The new approach involves designated aid centers, mostly in southern Gaza, where civilians will need to register and go through facial recognition screening to receive food. Israel argues this is the only way to make sure Hamas doesn’t hijack the supplies. But the plan has sparked backlash from several major UN agencies, which are refusing to participate. They warn the setup could pressure Palestinians into relocating and make them even more vulnerable.
So far, Israel hasn’t spelled out how many trucks will be allowed in or when exactly deliveries will start. But it’s clear the decision comes in response to mounting global pressure and warnings about the risk of famine. With hundreds of thousands of Gazans already on the brink of starvation due to restricted access to food, water, and medicine, even a limited flow of aid could mean the difference between life and death for many.
Former President Biden Diagnosed with “Aggressive” Cancer
Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has already spread to his bones. The diagnosis came after doctors evaluated a newly discovered nodule in his prostate, following a recent spike in urinary symptoms. Tests confirmed that the cancer carries a Gleason score of 9—about as aggressive as it gets—signaling a serious and fast-moving condition.
Despite the grim diagnosis, there’s a bit of good news. Biden’s doctors say the cancer is hormone-sensitive, which means it can still respond well to hormone-based treatments. That gives his medical team some options to work with, and they’re currently reviewing the best course of action. Biden and his family are fully engaged in the process and weighing treatment paths with the guidance of his specialists.
This is a developing story, and more details will emerge as Biden’s treatment plan takes shape. For now, it’s clear the former president is facing a tough road ahead—but not one without tools to fight back.
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