Trump renews attack on Meloni
The exchange marks a further deterioration in relations between Washington and Rome.
Defence
Latest reporting and analysis on defence.
Zelensky says conditions for a ‘dignified peace’ will emerge within months
Ukrainian President pressed allies for more air defences, describing interceptor missiles for Patriot batteries as a priority.
Premium
Trump likens sinking the Spanish fleet to his strikes on Iran as the US turns 250
A Fourth of July of heat and evening storms upended Washington's celebrations, delaying the President's speech for hours and pushing it back to near midnight.
OPEC+ raises oil output for third month as Hormuz shipping recovers
The group has been unwinding a cut of 1.65 million barrels a day agreed in 2023, when the alliance still included the United Arab Emirates.
Former chancellor Merkel told Rheinmetall “We don’t really need you”, CEO reveals
apperger recounted that Merkel had told the arms sector: "We don't really need you, if there is a problem we call the Americans".
Lithuania moves to lift nuclear weapons ban following Finland’s lead
Political leaders in Vilnius have agreed that a Cold War-era constitutional clause should be deleted outright, aligning the country more closely with NATO's nuclear…
Premium
NATO will seek to turn defence billions into firepower at Ankara summit
A year on from their pledge to ramp up defence spending, NATO leaders have struggled to turn the cash into the weapons the alliance needs.
Germany charges Ukrainian officer over Nord Stream pipeline blasts
Federal prosecutors allege the former soldier acted on Kyiv's orders, a claim Ukraine firmly denies.
EU targets Russian drone makers after deadly strike on Kyiv
Six floors of one apartment block gave way after a direct hit and around 30 sites across the capital were damaged, Ukrainian officials said.
Trump disappointed with Spain over base veto
The Spanish Government has defended its sovereign right to decide which missions may be supported from its soil.
US and Iran agree to hold fire as Strait of Hormuz talks continue in Doha
The ceasefire has broken down repeatedly since it first took effect in April, each pause strained by clashes over the Strait of Hormuz.
United States tells NATO it is ‘not going anywhere’ but presses Europe to do more
US ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said that the country would stay in the alliance, noting its role as a founding member in 1949.
EU offers South Caucasus package to bolster Armenia-Azerbaijan peace
Von der Leyen said the sum had the potential to mobilise up to €2 billion in public and private investment across the region.
Starmer unveils defence spending boost in likely last act as UK leader
The extra funding, spread over four years, would raise annual defence spending to nearly £80 billion (€94 billion) by 2029.
Macron pledges to help clear Hormuz mines as Iran objects
A joint Franco-Omani statement said both leaders backed reopening the strait and reaffirmed their commitment to free navigation.
Vatican accuses EU of double standards on war
…
US and Iran agree to halt attacks again before talks in Qatar
The two were due to meet on June 30 in Doha, the Qatari capital, though Tehran had not publicly confirmed the talks.
Putin admits fuel shortage as Ukrainian strikes hit refineries
At least 17 Russian regions have imposed mandatory restrictions on petrol and diesel sales.
Burkina Faso severs diplomatic relations with France
France's foreign ministry called the move a "hostile and unfounded decision" and confirmed that reciprocal measures were under review.
France and Italy resist EU plan to bar former Russian combatants
Rome and Paris fear the measure could open the door to a blanket entry ban on all Russian citizens.
Premium
German army only recruits 530 people after asking 300,000
While the response rate from men was high at 96 per cent, the actual conversion rate into voluntary service has been extremely low.
Iran accuses Italy of complicity in US aggression
Iran has accused Italy of complicity in US aggression after NATO's Rutte revealed US aircraft operated from Italian bases, contradicting Italy's denials of involvement.
Defence firms press ahead with European listings despite stock slump
Franco-German tank maker KNDS has announced plans to float on the Paris and Frankfurt stock exchanges.
Iran demands NATO account for role in US-led war on Tehran
Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said that remarks by Mark Rutte amounted to a confession of the bloc's involvement in the conflict.
Premium
Le Pen warns against blind alignment with Trump after Iran
She rejected the idea that personal disagreements between leaders should define international relations.
Premium
Rutte says US aircraft used Italian bases in Iran operation, clashing with Rome’s non-belligerence stance
Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said the NATO chief had created a misleading impression.
Israel rules out Lebanon withdrawal even if Washington demands it
Benjamin Netanyahu said he had not sought Donald Trump's permission for last year's strikes on Iran as Israel held firm on its presence in the south of Lebanon.
Italy denies US used its bases to launch strikes on Iran
The Italian defence ministry said that Rutte's account gave a misleading impression by blurring routine support missions with combat operations.
Trump rounds on Spain as he accuses NATO allies of failing the US over Iran
The US president singled out the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, arguing they had let Washington down during the six-week conflict.
Europe’s biggest military powers pledge stronger NATO role ahead of Ankara summit
Friedrich Merz hosted Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer, Giorgia Meloni and Donald Tusk for a meeting of the so-called E5 group.