Morning Briefing: Feb. 15, 2025

ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Saturday, including US President Donald Trump saying he would take a "hard" stance on the Gaza Strip "if it was up to me" ahead of a key weekend deadline; Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan meeting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss the situation in Syria and Gaza, among other issues and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying more work remains to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

TOP STORIES

• Trump says he would take 'hard' stance on Gaza on Saturday

US President Donald Trump said he would take a "hard" stance on the Gaza Strip "if it was up to me" ahead of a key weekend deadline.

"I don’t know what’s going to happen at 12 o’clock. If it was up to me, I’d take a very hard stance. I can’t tell you what Israel is going to do," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

Earlier this week, Trump proposed the cancelation of a Gaza ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian group, Hamas, if all the hostages in the besieged Strip were not released by Saturday.

• Turkish foreign minister discusses Syria, Gaza, Ukraine with US counterpart in Munich

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and discussed the situation in Syria and the Gaza Strip, among other issues, diplomatic sources said.

During their first face-to-face meeting, which came on the margins of the 61st Munich Security Conference, Fidan shared Türkiye's views on the steps that countries in the region could take in the fight against the ISIS (Daesh) terror group.

Fidan emphasized the importance of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and said the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be resolved to establish regional peace.

• We need 'plan how to stop Putin,' Zelenskyy says after meeting US Vice President Vance

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said more work remains to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

"We are very thankful for American support, President (Donald) Trump," Zelenskyy told reporters after meeting US Vice President JD Vance in Munich.

Zelenskyy said he had a "good" conversation with Vance on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The secretary of state of the Holy See said the Palestinian population "must remain in its land."
• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen opposed "reciprocal" US tariffs to the EU, saying "trade wars and punitive tariffs make no sense."
• In a fiery speech at the Munich Security Conference, US Vice President JD Vance criticized European politicians, institutions, and courts for what he sees as a retreat from democratic principles.
• German authorities are investigating a car attack that injured 36 people in Munich, with preliminary findings suggesting no connection to a terror group despite possible religious motivations.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that a Russian drone struck the protective shelter of the destroyed fourth power unit at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, causing significant damage.
• Germany's defense minister sharply criticized US Vice President JD Vance for claiming that European governments enforce anti-democratic policies and suppress critical voices.
• Germany expressed strong concern about US President Donald Trump's direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Ukraine peace negotiations, which occurred without prior coordination among European allies.
• Japan will respond to US' reciprocal tariffs with "appropriate measures," Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said.
• German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier cautioned the US against hastily entering peace negotiations with Russia on Ukraine, warning of far-reaching consequences for allies.

SPORTS

• Manuel Akanji to be sidelined for '8 to 10 weeks' with abductor injury

Manuel Akanji will be out for "eight to ten weeks" after suffering an injury against Real Madrid, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola confirmed.

"Surgery on Saturday. Eight to ten weeks out. Abductor injury is never easy," Guardiola said in response to a question about an update on the injury during a defeat to Real Madrid.

Akanji, 29, previously played for Basel and Borussia Dortmund.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• US retail sales fall faster than forecast in January

Retail sales in the US fell 0.9% month-over-month to $723.9 billion in January, exceeding forecasts of a 0.2% decline, according to advance figures.

The decline marked the biggest fall since March 2023 and followed an upwardly revised 0.7% increase in December.

Sales saw their sharpest declines in sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument and bookstores (-4.6%), followed by motor vehicle and parts dealers (-2.8%).