Zelenskyy Launches Surprise Attack On ‘Lost And Fragmented’ Europe Amid Peace Talks Push

Posted on 22/01/2026 by Boris Clair

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has lashed out at his European allies for not taking enough action over Russia’s continued war in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian president accused the continent of failing to “take the lead in defending freedom” while speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

He claimed Europe is a “fragmented kaleidoscope of small and middle powers” and looks “lost” as it tries to convince Donald Trump to force Moscow to end its four-year offensive.

“Instead of taking the lead in defending freedom worldwide, especially when America’s focus shifts elsewhere, Europe looks lost, trying to convince the US president to change,” he said.

“If Europe is not seen as a global force, if its actions do not scare bad actors, then Europe will always be catching up with new dangers and attacks.”

Trump has often promised to end the Ukraine-Russia war, but – a year after he returned to office – peace still seems elusive.

Putin has been dragging his heels repeatedly over negotiations, even when the US president effectively offered Russia rewards for being the aggressor and invading Ukraine in 2022.

While Russia continues its grinding offensive and bombards Ukraine’s national infrastructure, Trump has repeatedly blamed Zelenskyy for the slow progress in negotiations.

The Ukrainian president also told WEF that Europe’s hesitation to act would have repercussions beyond Ukraine, emboldening other authoritarian regimes aside from the Kremlin.

“Who in Europe needs that message to become reality? And yet Europe has not even tried to build its own response,” Zelenskyy said.

He added: “Just last year, here in Davos, I ended my speech by saying Europe needs to know how to defend itself.

“A year has passed and nothing has changed. I am forced to say the same words again.”

He pointed out that in 2025, most of the time was spent discussing long-range weapons for Ukraine, but now “no one is even talking about it”.

He said: “Today they target Ukraine. Tomorrow, it could be any Nato country.”

Zelenskyy claimed he had a “productive and substantive” one-hour meeting with the US president at Davos – their first in-person conversation this year – but no fresh agreements seemed to emerge.

He also announced that a two-day trilateral meeting involving Ukraine, the US and Russia are set to start on January 23 in the United Arab Emirates.

Meanwhile, Trump’s son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff are set to meet with Putin in Moscow on Thursday.

Donald Trump Makes Bizarre Claim About What He’s Called In Europe

Posted on 26/08/2025 by Boris Clair

Donald Trump has made a truly bizarre claim about what he is supposedly known as in Europe.

The US president said the title – which he appears to have completely made up – is “an honour”.

Speaking in the Oval Office on Monday, he said: “They jokingly call me the president of Europe.

“They call me the president of Europe, which is an honour. I like Europe and I like those people.”

Trump appeared to be referring to his failed attempts to broker an end to the war in Ukraine.

After failing to win any concessions from Russia at a much-hyped summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska earlier this month, European leaders, including Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, held talks with Trump in Washington.

Trump said: “They’re great leaders and we’ve never had a case where seven, plus 28 – essentially 35, 38 – countries were represented here the other day.”

But despite his claims, there is no evidence of Trump ever being called the president of Europe by anyone.

Social media users were also quick to debunk the president’s claims.

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As a contributor, currently sitting in Europe, I’d like to confirm that we don’t call him that. At all.

Ever.

Ever.

There are many things we do call him but ‘president’ is not among them.

— Don McGowan (@donmcgowan) August 25, 2025

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As a contributor, currently sitting in Europe, I’d like to confirm that we don’t call him that. At all.

Ever.

Ever.

There are many things we do call him but ‘president’ is not among them.

— Don McGowan (@donmcgowan) August 25, 2025

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No they don’t. You embarrass the United States on a daily basis and the entire world is laughing at you.

— Marlene Robertson🇨🇦 (@marlene4719) August 25, 2025

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No they don’t. You embarrass the United States on a daily basis and the entire world is laughing at you.

— Marlene Robertson🇨🇦 (@marlene4719) August 25, 2025

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Trump claims European leaders jokingly refer to him as the \"president of Europe\" due to respect for his policies, but he hasn’t named specific individuals. No public statements from EU officials confirm this.

— Grok (@grok) August 25, 2025

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Trump claims European leaders jokingly refer to him as the “president of Europe” due to respect for his policies, but he hasn’t named specific individuals. No public statements from EU officials confirm this.

— Grok (@grok) August 25, 2025

Take A Break is your ultimate guide to the perfect trips to recharge, rediscover yourself and your relationships, and reengage with the world. We’ll cover shopping stops, great bars, restaurants worth your money, photo opportunities, memorable drives and experiences, and other important details you need before you book.

Year after year, Italy remains one of the most popular international destinations for American travelers. During the peak summer season, tourists from all across the United States flock to Rome, Florence, the Amalfi Coast and other Instagram hotspots.

But another amazing place in Italy that often gets overlooked is Turin. Known as Torino in Italian, the impressive city is the capital of the Piedmont region in the northwest (and was even the first capital of the unified Kingdom of Italy in the 19th century). Visitors to Turin can enjoy beautiful mountain landscapes, opulent palaces, world-class museums and more.

On the culinary side, the city boasts a vibrant restaurant scene, featuring prominently in an episode of Stanley Tucci’s food and travel show “Searching for Italy.” And as the host of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games and two World Cups, Turin has plenty to offer sports and history fans.

Despite all this cultural clout, Turin is rather overshadowed by its more famous counterparts, at least among American travellers. When I had the opportunity visit last summer, I was immediately charmed by the city’s unassuming elegance, welcoming locals and sense of tranquility, free from the endless hordes of tourists that overrun many other destinations in Italy at this time of year.

To compel more travellers to add Turin to their Italian vacation itineraries, I’ve compiled my favourite dishes, attractions and more highlights from the “Città Magica.”

Where To Stay

I visited Turin with a large group of friends, and we stayed at an Airbnb that felt like our own mini palazzo. Spanning three floors, the apartment was ornately decorated with lots of wallpaper, upholstered furniture, framed art and other embellishments.

Those looking for a hotel experience will find plenty of options as well. The Turin Palace Hotel is in a restored building right in the city centre. The nearby Grand Hotel Sitea is a historic property with spacious rooms and a Michelin-starred restaurant.

For something with a more contemporary feel, the NH Collection Torino Piazza Carlina is also a popular option.

What To Eat

Italian food is famously delicious, but this cuisine is not a monolith by any means. So, I always aim to eat regional delicacies wherever I travel in Italy.

In Turin, my favorite Piedmontese dish was tajarin ― a rich, egg-heavy pasta typically served with truffles and butter or a local meat sauce called sugo d’arrosto. The meat-filled agnolotti pasta is another tasty specialty.

Other classic dishes to try include vegetables dipped in bagna cauda, a warm sauce made with garlic and anchovies, and crunchy breadsticks known as grissini. Although I wasn’t a massive fan, I’m glad I sampled vitello tonnato ― cold, thinly sliced veal topped with a creamy tuna sauce.

From left: assorted Piedmontese cookies, tajarin with meat sauce and agnolotti.

My best meal in Turin was a lovely solo lunch at a restaurant called Tre Galli. I also enjoyed classic Torinese food at Osteria al Tagliere and L’Osto del Borgh Vej. The Mercato Centrale Torino food hall offers something for everyone, which is perfect when traveling with a group. You might also want to make time to visit the world’s very first Eataly as well.

Spazio7 and Piola da Cianci also came highly recommended, as did the historic Caffè Platti and Caffè Mulassano. And to cap off any meal with a sweet treat, look no further than Gelateria Pepino.

What To Drink

The Piedmont region is famous for its Barolo and Barbaresco wines, which pair well with many dishes or even as a key ingredient (as in brasato al Barolo or risotto al Barolo).

But truly no visit to Turin is complete without at least one bicerin. This decadent drink is made with coffee, chocolate and milk, perfectly layered in a way that just screams to be photographed. I’m pleased to report it also tastes amazing.

From left: A bicerin and a fruit tart at Farmacia del Cambio, and the exterior of the historic Caffè Al Bicerin.

My bicerin-tasting journey led me to delicious and picturesque establishments like Farmacia del Cambio, Caffe al Bicerin dal 1763 and Caffé Baratti & Milano.

I even tried an alcoholic version of a bicerin at Piano35 ― a lounge at the top of the Intesa Sanpaolo Skyscraper. The breathtaking views alone made it worth the visit, but the creative cocktails were an added bonus.

Casa Proseccheria was another nice spot for aperitivi, with plenty of prosecco, cocktail and snack offerings.

What To Do

On my first morning in Turin, I began the day with a hike up to Chiesa di Santa Maria del Monte dei Cappuccini, a hilltop church with gorgeous views of the city. I later visited another church, the Baroque-style Chiesa di San Lorenzo.

For something farther afield, you can make a journey to the famous Basilica di Superga. And if you’re into royal history, you might also want to schedule a visit to La Venaria Reale ― a large palace estate just outside city and one of the area’s many UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

For a taste of grand architecture, tourists hardly need to venture beyond Turin’s city centre, however. There’s Piazza San Carlo, a stately square surrounded by Baroque buildings, and Piazza Castello, home to the majestic Palazzo Madama Torino (now an art museum). The nearby Royal Palace of Turin transports visitors back in time to the city’s regal past.

From left: the Mole Antonelliana, Palatine Gate and Palazzo Carignano.

Perhaps the most iconic part of Turin’s skyline is the Mole Antonelliana, which houses the film museum ― Museo Nazionale del Cinema. Another notable museum is the Museo Egizio, where history buffs can find an extensive collection of Egyptian artefacts.

Fans of contemporary art will enjoy the Castello di Rivoli, a former royal residence that now showcases cutting-edge exhibitions juxtaposed against its restored 17th-century castle backdrop. Don’t sleep on the Pinacoteca Giovanni e Marella Agnelli art gallery, either.

Those interested in the unification of Italy will no doubt want to explore the Museum of the Risorgimento, which is located in another famous old building, Palazzo Carignano. And for some ancient history, don’t forget to check out the Palatine Gate, a well-preserved gateway dating back to the first century BC.

From left: Palazzo Madama Torino, view from Chiesa di Santa Maria del Monte dei Cappuccini and Castello del Valentino.

In addition to my climb up to the hilltop church, I also stretched my legs quite a bit by strolling along the River Po and exploring the expansive Parco del Valentino. The park boasts a number of notable attractions, like the distinguished Castello del Valentino and Borgo Medievale, a reconstructed medieval village and open air museum.

Getting more into modern times, Turin is strongly associated with the Italian automotive industry, with iconic brands like Fiat, Lancia and Alfa Romeo headquartered in the city. It’s unsurprisingly also home to the Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile (National Automobile Museum).

And of course, sports fans should check the schedule to see if the famous Juventus football club or its rival Torino have any matches scheduled during their time in the area.

With so much to offer tourists of all ages and interests, Turin is truly a hidden gem that captivates visitors with its incredible cuisine, deep history and vibrant charm. As Americans flock elsewhere in Italy, Turin visitors don’t need too much advance booking to experience the rich cultural tapestry that makes the city so magical.