Zelensky to meet NATO chief Rutte, EU allies during talks in Brussels
Ukraine's allies have doubled down on economic and military support for Kyiv in attempts to strengthen the war-torn nation's hand before any potential peace talks.
Europe
German CDU party highlights support for Ukraine in election program, European Pravda reports
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), one of Germany’s leading political parties, has reaffirmed its support for Ukraine as part of its platform in the upcoming German parliament elections, European Pravda reported on Dec. 14.
NATO members mull raising defense spending benchmark to 3% GDP, FT reports
European NATO foreign ministers began discussing a plan to gradually increase the alliance’s defense spending target from 2% of their GDP to 3% by 2030, the Financial Times reported on Dec. 12, citing undisclosed sources.
China curbs sale of drone parts to US, Europe, hindering Ukraine’s war effort, Bloomberg reports
Chinese manufacturers began limiting their sales of vital drone components to their U.S. and European customers, preluding a broader ban on exports by officials, Bloomberg wrote, citing undisclosed sources on Dec. 9.
EU Defense Commissioner proposes $105 billion defense budget allocation, Politico reports
European Union Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius, has proposed allocating 100 billion euros ($105 billion) for defense in the next seven-year EU budget, Politico reported on Dec. 8.
Why the West misunderstood Russia’s initial assault on Ukraine
On July 17, 2014, the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH-17, a commercial plane flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, shocked the world. The crash claimed the lives of all 298 passengers and crew, including 80 children. It marked a significant escalation in Russia’s war against Ukraine that had
CERN ends cooperation with Russian institutes
The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) on Nov. 30 officially cut ties with research institutes in Russia, following a decision to allow the cooperation agreement to expire in light of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
West provided enough aid for 2.5 brigades out of requested 10, Zelensky says
"They speak about mobilization, but the real problem [is] with 10 brigades which our partners didn't equip," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with Sky News published on Nov. 29.
Europe in 'actual war' with Russia, former UK intelligence chief says
"I think we have to face up to the fact that the Russians think they're in a state of war with us," Richard Dearlove, the former head of MI6, told Sky News on Nov. 27.
Georgescu’s rise exposes the fragility of Romania’s pro-European consensus
The meteoric rise of hardcore nationalist Călin Georgescu in Romania’s first-round presidential election over the weekend is nothing short of remarkable. Georgescu surged from just a few percentage points in polls weeks before the vote to claim over 23% of the electorate, defeating candidates from the country’s two
Opinion: Europe’s 2% defense benchmark is an illusion, not a solution
With Donald Trump back in office, Europe faces a new era of uncertainty. The once-reliable comfort of American support — a cornerstone of European security — is now more in question than ever. For decades, Europe has assumed the U.S. would always be there to pick up the slack. But those
Poland signs deal with domestic companies to kickstart ammunition production
Poland has signed a letter of intent with domestic companies to begin producing nitrocellulose and multi-base powders essential for ammunition manufacturing, according to a Polish government report published on Nov. 18.
EU pushing Biden for last-minute measures to support Ukraine, Bloomberg reports
Some EU officials are urging the U.S. to provide more weapons and artillery to Ukraine, as well as permissions to carry out long-range strikes on Russia, sources told Bloomberg.
Opinion: How EU nations can prevent the worst-case outcome for Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin clearly hopes to exploit any effort by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to enforce a de facto capitulation of Ukraine. How might this plan unfold, and what should EU countries do now? This is how an ideal scenario might look for Russia: Step 1: Trump wants
Opinion: Trump could actually be good for Europe
Before the U.S. presidential election, it seemed like no one but Donald Trump’s staunchest supporters believed he could win. After all, the man is a convicted felon, a putschist-provocateur, an agent of chaos, and a walking scandal who has been disowned by almost all his former advisors, some
Trump's plan for Russia's war in Ukraine needs to be taken seriously, Finnish president says
After a call with Trump on Nov. 11, Alexander Stubb said his intentions after taking office in January 2025 are clear.
Macron, Starmer to meet in France for talks on Ukraine, European solidarity
The two leaders are expected to discuss Ukraine in private talks after participating in Armistice Day memorial ceremonies with French and British veterans.
Russian artillery production to outmatch all of EU by 30% next year, Ukrainian intelligence says
An ammunition shortage has long been a cause for concern in Ukraine but has escalated this year.
Von der Leyen suggests replacing Russian LNG with US supplies in phone call with Trump
"We still get a whole lot of LNG via Russia, from Russia," she said in a phone call with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. "And why not replace it with American LNG, which is cheaper, and brings down our energy prices?"
Peace cannot be bought by weakness, Zelensky says at Budapest summit
"Peace is a reward only for the strong," President Zelensky said.
Zelensky arrives in Hungary for European Political Community Summit
The fifth meeting of the European Political Community will focus on Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing escalation in the Middle East, among other things.
Warsaw to host international conference on rebuilding Ukraine's energy infrastructure
The ReBuild Ukraine 4.0 conference will convene on November 13-14, 2024, in Warsaw, Poland, Odesa Journal reported on Nov. 6.
‘Trump wants to do everything he can to help Putin,’ McCain Institute head says
Evelyn Farkas, head of the McCain Institute — a U.S.-based think tank named after the late Republican Senator John McCain — fears the return of Donald Trump as president of the U.S. would be the worst-case scenario for Ukraine. The best-case scenario for Ukraine would be a full sweep
Russia's Foreign Ministry renames Europe branch to Department of European Problems
"Changes in geopolitical realities," such as "the obvious degradation of multilateral cooperation structures in Europe," led to the renaming, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told Russian pro-state news agency RBK.
Harris or Trump — Ukraine braces for best, worst-case scenarios as US elects new president
As Americans head to the polls on Nov. 5, Ukraine is nervously watching the elections being held by its top Western ally as the outcome could determine the country’s fate in its fight against Russia’s almost three-year-old full-scale invasion. The two candidates' pre-election positions on continuing to support
Finland closes world's last Lenin museum outside Russia
A new political museum at the same site will open on Feb. 15, 2025, Finnish authorities announced. The museum will reportedly focus on Finnish-Russian relations, including developments in the 21st century.
Europe, Azerbaijan not close to deal on gas route via Ukraine, Slovakia's SPP says
"We regularly discuss the topic with our partners, but the information about the upcoming conclusion of a gas supply contract with the participation of SPP is not true," Slovakian state-run gas importer SPP said.
Sweden to allocate over $68 million in military aid to Ukraine
About $46.5 million will go towards initiatives supporting Ukraine's Armed Forces, the Swedish government said. Another $21.6 million will support the development of the Ukrainian defense industry.
Opinion: Ukraine’s war is the reckoning with empire Europe can no longer avoid
Thirty years ago, in a Ukrainian churchyard where my Russian ancestors are buried, I knelt beside a very old woman leaning on a stick, her hair covered in a black kerchief. Behind us stood the Russian church that my great-grandfather built on his estate and where he lies buried. The
NATO to rethink alliance's relationship with Russia for first time in decades
"It's time to now craft a new strategy in terms of (the allies') specific positions," a senior U.S. official said. Defense ministers from NATO member nations will convene in Brussels Oct. 17-18 to discuss the matter.
NATO to expand military forces and air defense due to increased threats, Die Welt reports
NATO has been advised to significantly bolster its defense capabilities, as outlined in a report by German media channel Welt.
Opinion: As Russia circumvents sanctions, Europe faces a strategic crossroads
Returning from their summer recess, European Union leaders have a packed agenda. At the top of the list are strengthening the bloc’s readiness for conflict and bolstering its economic competitiveness. For decades, the EU relied on economic influence as a substitute for hard power. But in an era of
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