7 h. ago Putin signals he is ready to AGREE to Trump's proposal for massive cuts in defence spending

France could be ready to use its nuclear deterrent to shore up Europe's defence, according to reports, at a time when the US has threatened withdrawing its forces on the continent.

Politics

37 h. ago ‘No more excuses’: Europe under pressure on defence spending three years after Russian invasion

Continent is being told to take more responsibility for its own defence in light of US president’s overtures to PutinA few days after Vladimir Putin sent Russia’s invading forces into Ukraine in February 2022, the EU’s then foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, asked his staff for an urgent military aid plan. They came up with €50m (£41.4m) to help Ukraine.“And I said: ‘Are you crazy? We are talking about a war,’” Borrell recounted in late 2024, shortly before standing down. “Do you know what does it mean, a war? Put three zeros behind! And then we started taking things seriously.” Continue reading...

Events

6 d. ago Bond investors brace for Europe’s defence spending ‘bazooka’

Sovereign debt yield curves at their steepest in more than two years as investors anticipate more supply

Economics

6 d. ago Record orders at BAE Systems as European defence spending rises

Weapons maker’s full-year pre-tax profits top £3bn and it expects sales of more than £30bn next yearBritain’s biggest weapons manufacturer, BAE Systems, has reported record orders as the European defence industry gears up for increased spending sparked by the Ukraine war.The company, a member of the FTSE 100, said it expected sales next year to top £30bn, as it reported annual profits before interest and tax of more than £3bn for the first time in 2024. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago US ‘backstop’ vital to deter future Russian attacks on Ukraine, says Starmer

British prime minister says force would need protections such as air cover that only US can provide Keir Starmer has urged Donald Trump to provide a US “backstop” to a European peacekeeping force in Ukraine, saying it is the only way to deter Russia from attacking the country again.The UK prime minister’s appeal to Trump came after an emergency summit in Paris that heard widespread calls by European leaders for a large boost in defence spending. Continue reading...

Events

7 d. ago No decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine, Poland’s Tusk insists, as Germany says Europe and US must not be split – Europe live

European leaders call for unity and discuss defence spending at emergency summit sparked by US plans for UkraineSwedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson told Reuters that deploying Swedish troops to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping force is “absolutely a possibility.”His comments build on earlier declaration from Swedish foreign minister Maria Malmer Stenegard (9:40). Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago UK should be cautious after change in US policy over Ukraine, think tank says

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said European nations need to spend 5% of GDP on defence and would be responsible for peacekeeping in Ukraine.

Events

8 d. ago European defence shares surge as investors bet on higher spending

Donald Trump has called on European governments to boost their defence budgets

Economics