Italy plans 40,000-troop army expansion in major defence overhaul
Italian forces would grow in stages between 2030 and 2033, the reports said, filling personnel gaps that have opened up over recent years.
Defence
Latest reporting and analysis on defence.
Trump threatens to seize Iran’s Kharg Island and take ‘total control’ of its oil
The US Navy has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports that has sharply reduced exports.
Borrell warns war is ‘a possible reality’ in Europe
The EU's former foreign affairs chief urged the EU to cut its reliance on the US, particularly in technology and energy.
UK Defence Secretary unexpectedly resigns in major blow to Starmer over ‘inadequate’ defence spending plan
Healey announced his departure in a resignation letter, submitted to Starmer amid a deadlock between the defence and finance ministries.
Polish government voices anger over being excluded from talks about Ukraine war
Tusk also expressed dissatisfaction with the E3 format which comprises Britain, France and Germany but excludes Ukraine's other European allies.
British military chief takes rare step of writing directly to Starmer, warns defence investment plans are underwhelming
The letter was sent ahead of a long-awaited announcement on the Defence Investment Plan.
Trump will get what he wants in Iran by negotiation or by force
We seem finally to have reached the dénouement in the long, extremely one-sided, and comparatively bloodless war the United States and Israel have conducted with…
Trump says Iran deal is just days away
The US President claimed the pact could be concluded in two or three days and that the strait would reopen the moment it was signed.
Back in the USSR
After a meeting of European leaders on Sunday, a spokesman for German Chancellor Merz voiced Europe’s readiness to take “the leading role in negotiations to…
Iran and US trade strikes across the Gulf as conflict escalates
The exchanges came after Iran and Israel traded their first direct strikes since a truce in April, straining a fragile ceasefire.
US to press ahead with Iran talks despite Israeli objections
The vice president stressed that the central US aim was to ensure Iran never obtained nuclear weapons.
Europe moves to take charge of peace talks with Putin
The European push has come as the US has increasingly turned its attention to the conflict with Iran.
Trump demands Israel and Iran halt strikes as ceasefire frays
US President said he had urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to retaliate.
States increasingly rely on nuclear weapons as instruments of national power, SIPRI warns
Of the total global inventory of an estimated 12,187 warheads in January 2026, about 9,745 were in military stockpiles for potential use.
Kallas says Russia not ready for Ukraine talks as EU weighs more pressure on Moscow
The European Union's foreign policy chief argued that both sides would eventually have to reach an agreement.
UK, France and Germany back Zelenskyy’s call for direct talks with Putin
Zelenskyy had proposed a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an open letter on June 4.
UEFA extends ban on Russian teams for a fifth season
The move means Russian clubs would again be absent from the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.
Russia denies link to drone blast at Romanian port, blames Ukraine
The Russian Embassy in Bucharest has said the craft were Ukrainian and accused Kyiv of using such devices to attack civilian shipping.
Israel-Lebanon ceasefire faces collapse after sidelining Hezbollah’s core demands
Seen from Beirut, the ceasefire reached on the night of June 3, 2026 between Israel and Lebanon appears extremely difficult to implement in practice.
Zelensky proposes face-to-face meeting with Putin to end war
In the letter, Zelensky called for a firm date to be set and suggested a neutral venue.
European Parliament vice-president Pina Picierno leaves Socialists over divisions on support for Ukraine
She has also backed initiatives aimed at countering what she considers Russian influence operations in Europe.
Ben Gvir condemns Israel-Lebanon ceasefire as a ‘grave mistake’
The minister has urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to put the deal, brokered by the United States, to a cabinet vote.
US House clears way to vote on Ukraine military aid and Russia sanctions
By 218 votes to 204, the House paved the way to vote on the Ukraine Support Act.
‘You’re fucking crazy’: Trump rounds on Netanyahu over Lebanon offensive
The US President swore at the Israeli leader and accused him of ingratitude during a tense call, telling him he would be in prison without American backing.
Trump halts Israeli strikes on Beirut as Hezbollah accepts ceasefire
Under the proposal, Israel would stop attacks on the southern outskirts of Beirut while Hezbollah refrained from striking Israeli territory.
German court jails Syrian migrant for life over Islamist knife attack
The 36-year-old, identified under German privacy rules only as Mahmoud M., was "driven by a radical jihadist mindset" when he carried out the assault.
Polish President Nawrocki wants to strip Zelensky of the country’s highest honour
Zelensky received the Order of the White Eagle from then-president Andrzej Duda during a visit to Warsaw.
NATO says it stands ready to defend ‘every inch’ of allied territory after Russian drone hits Romania
"We will continue to enhance our readiness to deter and defend against any threat, including from drones. Russia's reckless behaviour is a danger to us all".
Von der Leyen says Russia has crossed ‘yet another line’ after drone strikes Romania
"Russia's war of aggression has crossed yet another line," von der Leyen said in a post on social media.
Romania summons Russian ambassador after drone hits block of flats near Ukraine border
The country is a member of both the European Union and NATO, and shares a 650km land border with Ukraine.