Defence and security

12-06-2024

Germany presents new military service model to start conscription from next year 

Est. 3min

After months of teasing the reintroduction of conscription, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius on Wednesday (12 June) presented a new military service model for Germany, saying he wants to start recruiting 5,000 conscripts a year from 2025. 

12-06-2024

Hungary strikes opt-out deal, says won’t obstruct NATO’s aid to Ukraine

Est. 3min

After a day of “difficult” negotiations, Hungary confirmed on Wednesday (12 June) that it will not hinder future NATO military aid to Ukraine, but was also promised the right not to take part in such efforts.

12-06-2024

NATO chief to visit Hungary, expected to define Budapest’s opt-out on Ukraine support

Est. 5min

After Hungary requested exemption from military support to Ukraine in return for unblocking key alliance decisions, all eyes are on NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg who is set to visit Budapest on Wednesday (12 June).

Global Europe 08-06-2024

Biden aide raises possible increased deployments of US strategic nuclear weapons

Est. 4min

The United States may have to deploy more strategic nuclear weapons in coming years to deter growing threats from Russia, China and other adversaries, a senior White House aide said on Friday (7 June).

07-06-2024

France’s Macron hopes to finalise plans to send military instructors to Ukraine ‘in coming days’

Est. 3min

At the end of his two-day visit to France, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will not be returning from Paris empty-handed but with a number of commitments including a future coalition to send instructors to Ukraine.

Europe's East 07-06-2024

In Paris, Ukraine’s Zelenskyy draws parallel between D-Day and Kyiv’s fight

Est. 4min

Calling for greater unity of the international community, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday (7 June) drew a parallel between the Allied D-Day landings in Normandy and Russia's war in Ukraine.

06-06-2024

France arrests Ukraine-Russia national with explosives on terror charges

Est. 2min

French police have arrested a 26-year-old Ukrainian-Russian man after he blew himself up with explosive materials in a hotel room north of Paris, a source at the French PNAT anti-terrorism prosecutors office said on Wednesday (5 June).

Economy 04-06-2024

EU defence spending should not cut into cohesion funds, Commissioner warns

Est. 6min

New EU priorities, such as defence, should not come at the cost of helping poorer EU regions, European Commissioner for Cohesion Elisa Ferreira told Euractiv on Monday (3 June) in Berlin.

31-05-2024

NATO chief Stoltenberg proposes revised €100 billion weapons fund for Ukraine

Est. 3min

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called on Friday (31 May) for NATO members to spend together 'equitably', €40 billion a year for Ukraine, giving up on his original multi-year plan, nevertheless assuring this will provide a long-term perspective for Ukraine.

31-05-2024

Ukraine given NATO go-ahead to hit targets in Russian territory with US, German weapons

Est. 4min

Germany and the US have publicly backed Ukraine in targeting Russian territory with their home-made weapons, breaking an important taboo and secret surrounding the rules Kyiv must follow in repealing Moscow’s attack.

Europe's East 31-05-2024

Ukraine signs security deal with Sweden, Norway, Iceland

Est. 4min

During a visit to Stockholm for a summit with Nordic leaders on Friday (31 May), Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed security deals with Swedish, Norwegian, and Icelandic prime ministers, while insisting on the need for his country to obtain certain military equipment such as the American Patriot defence system.

30-05-2024

Czechia calls for more cash to fund ammunition for Ukraine

Est. 3min

With only a small part of the pledged shells to be delivered to Ukraine next month under the Czech ammunition initiative, Prague stepped up calls on its European allies on Thursday (30 May) to fulfill their commitments and help shop ammunition abroad for Kyiv.

29-05-2024

NATO top job race: 29 against 3 in favour of Rutte

Est. 3min

Less than two months before NATO's 75th-anniversary summit in Washington, the top job race nomination continues amid political bargaining, with outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte the strongest contender by far.

Elections 28-05-2024

Dutch coalition taps former security boss as next prime minister

Est. 2min

Dutch right-wing coalition parties on Tuesday (28 May) nominated former security chief Dick Schoof as their preferred candidate to become the Netherlands' next prime minister.

28-05-2024

European Defence Agency new core tasks to include focus on military joint procurement

Est. 4min

EU defence ministers meeting in Brussels on Tuesday (28 May) are adding joint procurement to the European Defence Agency's (EDA) tasks, despite criticism and reluctance to use the body for that purpose.

28-05-2024

NATO ministers to discuss implementing of €100 billion fund for Ukraine 

Est. 4min

NATO foreign ministers are expected to discuss a support package for Ukraine at length when they meet in Prague on Friday (31 May) ahead of the alliance's July summit in Washington.

Europe's East 27-05-2024

Ukrainian deputy minister lays out vision for defence tech

Est. 5min

In an interview with Euractiv, the Ukrainian deputy minister of digital transformation on IT industry development, Oleksandr Bornyakov, laid out his vision for how the country can use defence tech innovation to boost its economy and change modern warfare.

22-05-2024

Thales, Exploration Company to build European reusable spaceships amid space access crisis

Est. 3min

Two European companies were selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) on Wednesday (22 May) to develop a re-entry cargo spaceship and alleviate Europe's struggle to access space independently.

22-05-2024

Russia’s push to change Baltic Sea border sparks concern in the region

Est. 4min

A Russian defence ministry proposal to revise Russia’s maritime border in the eastern Baltic Sea created concern among NATO’s Northern members on Wednesday (22 May).

21-05-2024

The major defence file the new EU Parliament will have to tackle next term

Est. 3min

Two years after Russia invaded Ukraine, European arms and defence stockpiles are running low, and the bloc’s industry is hesitating to invest in more production capabilities. The European Commission presented the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) to speed up output …

16-05-2024

Neutral Ireland to take over top EU military position, beating Slovenia, Poland

Est. 3min

The campaign to take over the chairmanship of the EU’s highest military body, the European Union Military Committee (EUMC), came to an end with the election of Irish head of Defence Forces Seán Clancy on Wednesday (15 May).

14-05-2024

Germany looks to ‘Nordic perspective’ for shaping its new security doctrine

Est. 3min

The Nordics’ approach to security policy is a role model for Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Monday (13 May) at a meeting with Nordic heads of government, which saw participants united in calls for more air-defence systems for Ukraine. 

09-05-2024

EU not renewing Mali military training mission

Est. 2min

The European Union decided Wednesday (8 May) to not renew the mandate of a military training mission in Mali, given the "evolving political and security situation", the commission said in a statement.

Economy 08-05-2024

EIB greenlights historic overhaul of dual-use policy, ramps up defence investment

Est. 3min

The EU’s multi-billion lending arm announced on Wednesday (8 May) changes to its long-standing policy not to invest in military products, by waiving restrictions on dual-use investments.