10 h. ago Spanish PM rejects Nato’s ‘unreasonable’ 5% GDP target for defence spending – Europe live

Pedro Sánchez reportedly says move would be ‘counterproductive’ and harm Spanish economy Earlier today, I cheekily suggested that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is probably wondering how to persuade US president Donald Trump to stay at the Nato summit in The Hague next week long enough to get to discussions on Ukraine and Russia – and not leave early, as he did at the G7 summit.Well, looks like this issue may have actually influenced the planning.“Budapest city hall will organise the Budapest Pride march on 28 June as a city event. Period.” Continue reading...

Events

11 h. ago Finland's lawmakers vote to leave land mine treaty as Nordic country boosts defenses against Russia

Finland’s parliament has voted overwhelmingly to pull out of a major international treaty on land mines as the Nordic country seeks to boost its defenses against an increasingly assertive Russia

Politics

11 h. ago Hungarian police say Budapest Pride march banned, but mayor insists it will go ahead – Europe live

The Hungarian ban on the Budapest Pride march comes a day after a debate on the march was held at the European parliamentEarlier today, I cheekily suggested that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is probably wondering how to persuade US president Donald Trump to stay at the Nato summit in The Hague next week long enough to get to discussions on Ukraine and Russia – and not leave early, as he did at the G7 summit.Well, looks like this issue may have actually influenced the planning.“Budapest city hall will organise the Budapest Pride march on 28 June as a city event. Period.” Continue reading...

Events

15 h. ago Tried and tested in war: For European drone manufacturers, Ukraine is the place to be

For European drone manufacturers, being able to say that their equipment has been tried in war by Ukrainian forces is becoming a sales pitch

Events

15 h. ago Putin says he would only meet Zelenskyy in ‘final phase’ of talks – Europe live

Putin’s comments come as fighting continues and Ukraine says Russia avoiding peace talksFor what it’s worth, Russia’s Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he was ready to meet with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy but only during a “final phase” of negotiations “so as not to sit there and divide things up endlessly, but to put an end to it”.But his broader comments were not really conciliatory, and will do little to raise hopes of a negotiated settlement.“The strikes were carried out against military industries, not residential quarters.” Continue reading...

Politics

33 h. ago Death toll from Russian attack on Kyiv rises to 28 – Europe live

More than 130 were injured in Tuesday’s attack on Ukrainian capitalAnd speaking of Russia’s impact on its neighbours, let’s quickly go to Miranda Bryant in the Nordics and see how the region monitors the global threat of war, terror and piracy on seas from its Maritime Cyber Resilience Centre.The European Commission has insisted there will be no return to Russian gas, as it published plans to phase out fossil fuel imports from its eastern neighbour by 2028. Continue reading...

Events

39 h. ago Europeans may as well start learning Russian if Ukraine does not get more support, Kaja Kallas warns – Europe live

EU foreign policy chief says Russia is a direct threat to Europe and has plan for long term aggressionMeanwhile, Russian president Vladimir Putin is set to take questions from international journalists on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Associated Press reported.Putin scheduled a roundtable session with senior news leaders of international news agencies, including the Associated Press.On Ukraine, the European Union is doing its part here too, not least because Ukraine is Europe’s first line of defence. We know that Russia responds to strength and nothing else.We have to do more for Ukraine, for our own security too.To quote my friend Nato secretary general Mark Rutte: if we don’t help Ukraine further, we should all start learning Russian. Continue reading...

Events

40 h. ago Ukraine and Europe in limbo after Trump sidelines Zelenskyy at G7 – Europe live

Frustration after US president refuses to make Ukraine a priority at G7 despite appearance of Zelenskyy in CanadaEU’s Kallas continues:On Ukraine, the European Union is doing its part here too, not least because Ukraine is Europe’s first line of defence. We know that Russia responds to strength and nothing else.We have to do more for Ukraine, for our own security too.To quote my friend Nato secretary general Mark Rutte: if we don’t help Ukraine further, we should all start learning Russian.We are living in very dangerous tough times.Russia is already a direct threat to the European Union. Europe’s collective economic might is unmatched. I don’t believe that there is any threat that we can’t overcome if we act together and with our Nato allies. Continue reading...

Politics

52 h. ago Zelensky seeks help at G7 as Russian drone bombardment kills at least 15

‘We need support from allies and I'm here’ says Ukraine president at summit

Events

60 h. ago Russia’s ‘unrelenting’ attacks on Ukraine show Putin not interested in peace, EU says, after at least 15 die in Kyiv strike – Europe live

Kaja Kallas says strike in Kyiv one of ‘most devastating’ of war as Zelenskyy accuses world leaders of ‘turning a blind eye’According to the Spanish government, we should soon get a decent idea of what caused the massive and unprecedented blackout that hit the Iberian peninsula at the end of April.The findings of a special committee convened to investigate the episode are due to be made public at a press conference addressed by Spain’s environment minister, Sara Aagesen, at 1 pm Madrid time. Continue reading...

Events

62 h. ago At least 15 die in Russian strikes on Kyiv in ‘one of most horrific attacks’ of Ukraine war – Europe live

Zelenskyy hits out at Putin and says world leaders ‘turn a blind eye’ after attack in which more than 100 people were woundedRussian strikes on Kyiv kill at least 14US president Donald Trump has repeated his threat to impose pharmaceutical tariffs saying they were “coming very soon” and criticised the EU for not offering a fair deal on trade.His comments, reported by Reuters, come from his brief chat with reporters on board Air Force One, on the way back from the G7 summit in Canada. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago North Korea suffered more than 6,000 casualties in Ukraine, UK intelligence says

North Korea’s total casualties amount to more than half of the approximately 11,000 DPRK troops initially deployed to Kursk, says UK

Politics

7 d. ago Nato secretary general says Europe needs to ‘ramp up defence spending’ as foreign ministers meet in Rome – Europe live

Mark Rutte says ‘we have to spend more’ as ministers discuss Weimar+ model 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

7 d. 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

7 d. 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...

Politics

7 d. 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

9 d. ago Cathedral described as ‘the soul of all Ukraine’ damaged in Russian attack

This is the first time since the start of the war that the cathedral has been damaged

Events

9 d. ago Ten people dead in attack at school in city of Graz in Austria, says mayor – Europe live

Elke Kahr, mayor of Graz, says seven students, one adult and attacker among dead after attack at schoolThe Austrian interior ministry has confirmed that several people have been killed in the attack on the school in Graz in the south of the country, without specifing the exact number, AP reported.Austria’s Kronen Zeitung noted that the incident took place close to the tenth anniversary of the 2015 Graz attack “which many Graz residents still remember today” in which three people died, and 36 were injured. Continue reading...

Events

9 d. ago Nine people dead in attack at school in city of Graz in Austria, says mayor – Europe live

Elke Kahr, mayor of Graz, says seven students and one adult among dead after attack at school, with ninth person dead understood to be the attackerThe Austrian interior ministry has confirmed that several people have been killed in the attack on the school in Graz in the south of the country, without specifing the exact number, AP reported.Austria’s Kronen Zeitung noted that the incident took place close to the tenth anniversary of the 2015 Graz attack “which many Graz residents still remember today” in which three people died, and 36 were injured. Continue reading...

Events

9 d. ago Several people dead in attack at school in city of Graz in Austria, say officials – Europe live

Austrian interior ministry says several people have been killed after reports of gunshots at school in cityThe Austrian interior ministry has confirmed that several people have been killed in the attack on the school in Graz in the south of the country, without specifing the exact number, AP reported.Austria’s Kronen Zeitung noted that the incident took place close to the tenth anniversary of the 2015 Graz attack “which many Graz residents still remember today” in which three people died, and 36 were injured. Continue reading...

Events