Defence and security
Paris hopes security won’t spoil the party at 2024 Olympics opening
Est. 4minAs Paris makes final preparations for the Summer Olympics, the grand opening ceremony along the river Seine on Friday (26 July) has created an unprecedented security challenge that organisers hope won't dampen the party vibe.
Ukraine’s summer send-off
Est. 7minIn this week's edition: Ukraine looks towards autumn diplomacy, Mediterranean commissioner and post-EPC mood.
Lithuanian MPs vote to quit convention on cluster munitions
Est. 3minLithuania's parliament on Thursday (18 July) voted for the Baltic state to withdraw from an international treaty against cluster munitions, a move attributed to security reasons by the NATO member and decried by campaigners.
Romania sees initial contract to buy F-35 fighter jets, defence ministry says
Est. 2minRomania expects to sign a government-to-government agreement with the United States to purchase latest-generation F-35 fighter jets as early as this fall, the defence ministry said on Tuesday (16 July).
NATO allies brush off concerns over Biden’s shaky second-term bid
Est. 6minWhile NATO leaders hailed this week's summit in Washington as successful, they aimed to brush off concerns over the alliance's future following the outcome of the November US presidential elections.
Troubled at home, Macron reassures NATO of Paris’ commitment to Europe’s security
Est. 4minWith the French legislative elections having created uncertainty about the shape of the next government, President Emmanuel Macron assured NATO allies and Ukraine behind closed doors in Washington that Paris remains committed to Europe's security.
NATO’s coordination role in Ukraine support to be operational ‘in coming months’
Est. 4minThe transfer of oversight of military supplies, training and reform of Ukraine's armed forces into NATO hands is to be completed "in the coming months" as leaders rush to protect the support from governments that may criticise it in the future.
Georgia’s ‘foreign agent’ law takes toll on NATO ties as leaders omit reference to future membership
Est. 3minFor the first time since 2008, NATO's final communiqué on Wednesday (10 July) did not refer to Georgia become a member one day, a step that is seen as consequence of the recent deterioration of relations between Tbilisi and Western partners.
Canada takes step to acquire up to 12 submarines to guard Arctic
Est. 2minCanada, looking to shore up its defense of the Arctic, is moving ahead to acquire up to 12 submarines and has started a formal process to meet with manufacturers, the defense ministry said on Wednesday (10 July).
NATO backs Ukraine’s ‘irreversible’ path to membership, but both remain ‘bridge’ apart
Est. 5minNATO leaders backed Ukraine's "irreversible" path into the Western military alliance as expected on Wednesday (10 July), but stopped short of providing a concrete timetable and framework.
US says F-16s to fly over Ukraine ‘this summer’
Est. 3minUS-made F-16 fighter jets and additional air defence systems are on their way to Ukraine, expected to be operational this summer, Antony Blinken said on Wednesday (10 July), following NATO's decision to boost the country's air defence.
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy remains cautious to address potential Trump return
Est. 3minUkraine's allies cannot and should not wait until the US election in November to take action to repel Russia's President Vladimir Putin, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged on Tuesday (9 July).
NATO looks at how to make itself ‘war-ready’
Est. 6minNATO's new defence plans, requiring record-high military spending, will face scrutiny when leaders meet on Wednesday (10 July) to discuss ways to ramp up the alliance's defence capabilities.
NATO boosts Ukraine’s air defence as concerns over future course of war grow
Est. 5minNATO leaders on Wednesday (10 June) are expected to pledge more advanced air defence capabilities and offer more F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine to counter Russia's intensified missile strikes on the country. On the eve of the NATO summit, Russia had …
UK’s Starmer commits to increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP
Est. 2minBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday (9 July) said he would fulfil a campaign commitment to increase UK defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, but underlined he would only do so when the country could afford it and after a review of defence strategy.
From Trump-whisperer to NATO chief: Rutte’s task to navigate troubled waters
Est. 7minIncoming NATO boss Mark Rutte has only a few months to prepare to lead the Western military alliance amid stormy waters as members on both sides of the Atlantic eye to impose their priorities on the new captain of the ship.
EU member states to seek clarity on Hungary’s Russia, China shuttle diplomacy
Est. 6minAfter Hungary's solo diplomatic outreach to Russia and China, EU member states this week are expected to seek more clarity about its results, with some keen to explore options on how to reign in what they see as Budapest's 'destructive behaviour'.
Special Edition: What to expect from this week’s Washington NATO Summit
Est. 10minIn this week's edition: Your ultimate cheat-sheet for the Washington NATO Summit.
Why Ukraine’s NATO membership hopes keep running into trouble
Est. 9minWhile NATO leaders this week are expected to reassure Ukraine of their continued support, they are likely to fall short of clearly addressing the possibility of Ukraine’s future membership in the Western military alliance.
NATO, European Political Community to be new PM Starmer’s first foreign engagements
Est. 3minNewly installed UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday (6 July) announced his first trip overseas in the job will be to the NATO Summit in Washington on Tuesday (9 July), in a speech otherwise dedicated to domestic politics.
The Brief – At NATO, names matter (a little)
Est. 5minThe Western military alliance has a lot on its plate: Its members have to figure out how to secure defence aid to Ukraine, deal with the impact of China’s relations with Russia, when to use their mutual defence assistance clause Article 5… and how to name new things.
NATO’s defence industrial pledge takes shape in yet another bid to boost output
Est. 3minNATO is set to provide a platform to help its members shape national production strategies, in a new attempt to boost production, Euractiv has learnt.
NATO members increasingly nervous over risk of French far-right entering government
Est. 5minNATO members are increasingly concerned about the risks to the cohesion of the Western military alliance posed by the possible entry of the French far-right into government, and whether Paris' influence and commitment to Ukraine could wane in the near future.
Ahead of second round, Russia tries to weigh in on French snap elections
Est. 4minAmid the historic lead for the French far-right Rassemblement National in the first round of snap legislative elections, Russia weighed in on Wednesday (3 July), throwing its support behind the far-right party days before the decisive second round.