28 h. ago Putin mocking Trump with attacks on Ukraine, Poland says, as European foreign ministers meet for defence talks – Europe live

Ministers to discuss Weimar+ model joined by Nato secretary general and EU foreign policy chief ahead of Nato summit later this monthEuropean foreign ministers are now arriving in Rome for their Weimar+ meeting on security and Ukraine.Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani said his country needs “at least 10 years” to raise defence spending and comply with new targets to be agreed by Nato, adding that a deal on them could soon be reached, Reuters reported. Continue reading...

Politics

31 h. ago European foreign ministers meet in Rome to discuss defence as Zelenskyy calls for more sanctions on Russia – Europe live

Ministers to discuss Weimar+ model joined by Nato secretary general and EU foreign policy chief ahead of Nato summit later this monthTurning briefly to Austria, later today we should get an update from the police on their investigation into the school shooting in Graz, with a press conference scheduled for late morning.I will bring you any important updates here. Continue reading...

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31 h. ago European foreign ministers meet in Rome to discuss defence and security plans – Europe live

Ministers to discuss Weimar+ model joined by Nato secretary general and EU foreign policy chief ahead of Nato summit later this monthZelenskyy also criticised Russia’s Putin for “willing to pay for their sick geopolitical fantasies” with the lives of over one million Russians killed in the war so far.“A million losses, and, still, they are doing everything to avoid ending this war. They even ignore the US and president Trump,” he said. Continue reading...

Politics

47 h. ago UK yet to commit to Nato plan for rise in defence spending to 3.5% of GDP

Nato chief Mark Rutte wants members to agree to plan at summit later this month but UK remains cautiousBritain has still not committed to agreeing an increase in defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by the mid-2030s at the Nato summit later this month in line with a proposal from the alliance secretary general, Mark Rutte, defence sources said.Though Rutte visited Downing St on Monday and the Nato chief expressed confidence in a speech in London afterwards that countries would sign up, senior insiders complained that Britain was still dragging its heels over the issue. Continue reading...

Politics

55 h. ago Russia is planning an attack on NATO territory to test the Western alliance's joint defence, German spy chief warns

Vladimir Putin is plotting to attack a NATO territory to test the bloc's mutual assistance clause, Germany's spy chief has warned. 

Events

3 d. ago Putin could attack NATO by 2030 as ‘Europe needs Golden Dome defence system’

NATO secretary general Mark Rutte warned Europe needed to commit to a "quantum leap" amid fears that Vladimir Putin could launch an attack against the defensive alliance

Politics

3 d. ago Nato chief Mark Rutte warns UK must spend more on defence or ‘learn to speak Russian’

Nato needs a 400% increase in air and missile defence, Mr Rutte says, warning Russia could be ready to use force against it within five years

Events

3 d. ago Britons ‘better learn to speak Russian’ without major defence spending hike, Nato chief warns

The Nato secretary general said there is no discrepancy between the UK's current defence spending goals and his own push for members to reach 5 per cent of GDP

Events

3 d. ago Nato chief says UK’s defence spending plans not at odds with 5% goal

Mark Rutte would not reveal the deadline for when he hopes Nato allies will reach the target.

Politics

4 d. ago Brits should learn to speak Russian if defence spending isn't ramped up, NATO chief warns

NATO secretary general Mark Rutte, speaking at an event in central London, warned that Vladimir Putin will be able to mount a credible threat against the bloc within five years, with missiles able to reach European capitals in minutes

Events

4 d. ago Keir Starmer holds talks with Nato chief as he pushes Britain to agree £30BILLION hike in defence spending demanded by Donald Trump

Mark Rutte has been holding talks with the PM in London, and gave a speech warning of the need for a 'quantum leap' in investment.

Economics

4 d. ago NATO chief says a '400% increase' in air and missile defence is required to protect Europe from Putin and become 'a more lethal alliance'

NATO head Mark Rutte will on Monday call for a 'quantum leap' in defence capacities including a '400-percent increase' in air and missile defence which 'protects' the alliance against Russia.

Events

4 d. ago NATO chief Rutte calls for 400% increase in the alliance's air and missile defense

The head of NATO plans to say the military alliance needs to increase its air and missile defenses by 400% to counter the threat from Russia

Events

4 d. ago Nato chief will heap pressure on Keir Starmer to agree £30BILLION hike in defence spending at meeting TODAY

Mark Rutte is set to hold talks with the PM in London and deliver a speech warning of the need for a 'quantum leap' in investment.

Economics

4 d. ago Rutte to meet PM as Nato chief says ‘quantum leap’ in defence needed

The secretary general of the military bloc is expected to say Nato must ‘become a stronger, fairer and more lethal alliance’.

Politics

7 d. ago UK faces calls for 5% GDP defence spend, ahead of PM’s meeting with Nato chief

Mark Rutte, the secretary general of the alliance, said on Thursday he is proposing Nato members spend 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) on defence.

Politics

8 d. ago Starmer to meet Nato’s Rutte amid US pressure to spend 5% of GDP on defence – Europe live

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth says there is ‘near consensus’ on funding commitment for Nato member statesUK trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds has also called for reforms of the WTO including changes to the much-criticised dispute resolutions system which can also take years to settle disputes between trading nations.“We do recognise that reforming and repositioning the WTO so that it can respond more effectively to the challenges of today is the only way to safeguard long term stability and growth tomorrow. Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago NATO chief makes huge demand to UK on defence spending after Donald Trump calls

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte today said allies will find themselves 'in great difficulty' in the coming years if they stick with the current 2% GDP alliance spending target

Politics

9 d. ago Will Nato states have to find $325BILLION a year more for defence? Alliance chief heaps pressure on Starmer saying Europe and Canada must 'equalise' contributions with the US

Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte warned that the current target of spending 2 per cent of GDP on defence is no longer sustainable after very public criticism from Donald Trump.

Economics

1 week ago Nato to force UK to lift defence spending to 3.5% of GDP to appease Trump, say sources

Starmer bound to accept Mark Rutte’s higher target after announcing ‘Nato-first’ defence strategy, insiders sayDefence sources believe that Britain will be forced to sign up to a target of lifting defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035 at this month’s Nato summit after a campaign by the alliance’s secretary general to keep Donald Trump onboard.One senior insider said Britain would “without a doubt” sign up to a proposal from the Nato chief, Mark Rutte, to lift allies’ defence spending, which would represent a real-terms increase of about £30bn from the Labour government’s plan. Continue reading...

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