It has been 20 years since the United States and its allies invaded Iraq in their “war on terror” amid claims that the country’s dictator, Saddam Hussein, possessed Weapons of Mass Destruction.

Rights groups have slammed the dialogue, labeling it "meaningless," but the EU says it is important "to have a frank discussion."

Europe is becoming more aware of itself as an economic and trading power – that’s the message from France’s secretary of state for European affairs, Laurence Boone. She talks about the new tools the EU has given itself to take on unfair competition, especially from Chinese companies, but she also downplays the warnings of a possible conflict with the United States over subsidies.

The relationship between the U.S. and China has always been characterized by mistrust. The world's two largest economies view each other as rivals, and their latest dispute was ignited by a white balloon that China flew over U.S. territory. The US government says that its Air Force shot down a spy balloon that American media describes as part of a global Chinese surveillance system.

South Africa has begun military exercises with both China and Russia as part of a routine army drill. The joint training has drawn immense criticism from the West, coming nearly one year on from the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

"We will stand by Ukraine's side as long as it takes," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tells DW.

Many Chechen groups have formed or moved to Ukraine throughout the Russian Invasion of Ukraine. Several hundred fighters have joined the war, most joining one of several Chechen groups. Some of these groups started operations during the Donbas war in 2014.

US Secretary of State Blinken has promised Turkey extra aid following a recent devastating earthquake. But his visit also comes amid the thorny issue of NATO's expansion to Finland and Sweden, which Turkey is blocking.

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto spoke with FRANCE 24’s Marc Perelman during the Munich Security Conference. The president discussed Finland’s plans to join NATO, whether Western leaders misjudged Russian President Vladimir Putin prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and whether there is a risk that Russian military action will expand further into Europe.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said cutting off relations with Russia would not be in the country's national interest. Hungary is heavily reliant on Russia for its energy needs.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki sat down with FRANCE 24’s Marc Perelman at the Munich Security Conference to talk about the war in Ukraine and US President Joe Biden’s upcoming visit to Poland to mark the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion.

The US had said China was possibly considering supplying Russia with weapons amid the war in Ukraine. But Beijing insisted it was Washington that was "endlessly shipping weapons to the battlefield."