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.
Defence
Latest reporting and analysis on defence.
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.
Switzerland turns to France, Israel and South Korea for air defence as US Patriot delays mount
Neutral Bern is hunting a stopgap against long-range attacks while its delayed order of American missiles drags on, deepening friction with Washington.
Denmark to send recruits to Greenland
The decision is reportedly intended to bolster the permanent and rotational military footprint, support joint exercises, and enhance sovereignty protection.
Premium
War economy? Hegseth urges record US defence spending to protect growth
US defence secretary said the greatest threat to national security was under-investment in the military rather than the growing national debt.
Putin accuses NATO of preparing for war on Russia
Russian President accused Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelensky of showing no interest in peace.
Macron offers French backing for Lebanon truce as Europe eyes post-UNIFIL role
The French president restated his country's commitment to Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Brussels opens €1.1 billion call to modernise high-speed rail and military mobility
The call would prioritise rail and the decarbonisation of maritime transport and military mobility.
Europe’s biggest military powers gather in Berlin
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had announced the meeting earlier, though without initially confirming a date.
Zelensky says US willing ‘for first time’ to license Patriot production in Ukraine
"This time, it became quite public that the American team, for the first time, responded positively to the licenses," he said.
Trump rounds on Meloni again as Italy refuses to back US action on Iran
Giorgia Meloni has told Donald Trump that Italy remains a sovereign nation, rejecting his claim that Rome left Washington exposed over Iran.
US and Iran agree 60-day roadmap to end war and reopen Strait of Hormuz
The negotiations near Lucerne wrapped up early on Monday, with lower-level technical talks due to continue at the Bürgenstock resort through the week.
Trump attacks Meloni, shattering hopes of a privileged Rome-Washington axis
US President's latest attack severely undermines that assumption.
Meloni sidelines Draghi in EU debate over Ukraine mediator
The Italian Prime Minister further argued that the legitimacy of such a figure would depend on perceived neutrality within the EU balance of power.