Europe

EU looking at options for enhancing Lebanon’s internal security forces: Document

The European Union is studying options for strengthening Lebanon’s Internal Security Forces to help free up the Lebanese army to focus on disarming the armed group Hezbollah, according to a document seen by Reuters.

Europe may need to shoot down Russian aircraft, drones violating NATO airspace: Czech president

European countries may have to start shooting down Russian aircraft and drones that violate NATO airspace if Moscow keeps testing the alliance's resolve, Czech President Petr Pavel has stated in an interview with the Sunday Times of London.

US to spend $800mn on support for Ukraine in 2026, 2027: Pentagon budget draft

The US’ draft budget allocates $400 million each for support for Ukraine in 2026 and 2027, according to the draft of the National Defense Authorization Act published by Pentagon, on which Congress will begin voting this week.

Trump claims Zelensky ‘isn’t ready’ to accept US peace accord

US President Donald Trump has stated that his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky “isn’t ready” to sign off on a US-authored peace proposal aimed at ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, at the end of three days of talks between Washington and Kyiv in Florida.

New US security strategy accords largely with Russia’s view: Kremlin

The Kremlin has welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's new national security strategy and announced it largely accorded with Russia's own perceptions, the first time that Moscow has so fulsomely praised such a document from its former Cold War foe.

Ukraine leader had a ‘difficult’ call with US negotiators: Axios

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has had a difficult discussion with US negotiators about Russia’s territorial demands, Axios reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

Europe fears full US exit from Ukraine war: Bloomberg

Western European leaders are growing concerned that Washington, under President Donald Trump, may walk away from the Ukraine conflict, Bloomberg has reported.

Kiev’s European backers secretly admit territory loss likely: El Pais

European officials are increasingly accepting in private that Ukraine may have to relinquish its claims to Russian territories in order to reach a peace agreement, El Pais has reported. The apparent shift comes despite continued public statements by Western leaders that only Kiev can decide the future of its borders.

EU says Washington ‘biggest ally’ despite US security downgrade

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has stated that the United States remains Europe’s “biggest ally” despite stinging criticism of the continent in a major strategy document amid ongoing ceasefire talks on the Ukraine war.

US lobbying against Europe plot to steal Russian assets: Bloomberg

The US is lobbying several EU member states to block a plan to use frozen Russian assets as collateral for a €140 billion loan to Ukraine, in hopes of using the funds as leverage for a potential peace deal, Bloomberg reported on Friday, citing sources.

US-Ukraine meeting produced no serious breakthrough: Bloomberg

The December 4 and 5 meetings between the delegations of the United States and Ukraine in Florida have not produced any serious breakthrough in the settlement process, Bloomberg has reported.

US sets 2027 deadline for Europe to lead NATO defence: Reuters

The United States wants Europe to take over the majority of NATO’s conventional defence capabilities, from intelligence to missiles, by 2027, Pentagon officials have told diplomats in Washington—a tight deadline that struck some European officials as unrealistic.

EU leaders fear US ‘betrayal’ on Ukraine peace negotiations: Report

President Volodymyr Zelenskly's key European backers "harbor profound distrust of" Washington’s attempts to help end the Ukraine conflict, Der Spiegel has reported, citing a transcript of a recent phone call it has obtained.

Putin says Russia will “liberate” all of Donbass

Moscow will drive Ukrainian soldiers from Donbass and fully liberate the region, whether through military action or diplomatic efforts, Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated.

Trump says path to peace in Ukraine unclear

The path ahead for Ukraine peace talks is unclear, American President Donald Trump has satted, after what he called “reasonably good” talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US envoys which nonetheless failed to achieve a breakthrough.

Most EU citizens see ‘high risk’ of war with Russia: Survey

A majority of citizens across nine EU countries see a high risk of war breaking out between the bloc's members and Moscow, according to a survey by polling group Cluster 17 published Thursday in the French international affairs journal Le Grand Continent.

EU presents plan to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine as Belgium frets

The European Union has laid out a plan to use frozen Russian assets to help fund Ukraine with 90 billion euros over the next two years, despite outspoken opposition from key player Belgium.

NATO vows major purchases of American arms for Ukraine

NATO member states have pledged to buy hundreds of millions more dollars of US weapons for Ukraine, as Russian President Vladimir Putin was told to end his "bluster" and get serious on peace negotiations.

Ukraine’s NATO membership ‘key question’ in talks with US: Russia

Ukraine’s desire to join NATO was a “key question” discussed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and senior American officials during talks in Moscow, the Kremlin has announced.

EU agrees to ban Russian gas imports by autumn 2027

EU lawmakers and member states announced early Wednesday that they had reached an agreement to ban all imports of Russian gas into the European Union by autumn 2027.

Some US proposals unacceptable: Russian presidential aide

The conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff was constructive, very useful, and substantive, Russian Presidential aide, Yuri Ushakov, has stated. But he added that some American proposals aren't acceptable to Moscow.

Putin slams EU ‘fantasy’ of Russian defeat

The EU is still clinging to the “fantasy” of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia, President Vladimir Putin has stated. He warned that while Moscow has no intention of warring with the bloc, the consequences would be dire if it attacked Russia.

Ukraine will have to make ‘painful concessions’ to achieve peace: Germanغ

An end to the Ukraine war will most likely require “painful concessions” from Kiev, including on territorial issues, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has stated. Its chance to stop the hostilities has “never been greater” than now, he told Neue Osnabrucker Zeitung (NOZ) on Tuesday.

France wants direct role in Ukraine war: Russia

France is still exploring ways to directly involve itself in the Ukraine war, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has announced, citing a new government decree that authorizes the use of private military companies to assist foreign states engaged in armed conflict.

US objects to using Russia’s immobilized assets for Ukraine loan: Politico

The administration of US President Donald Trump has opposed the European Union’s initiative to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine via a reparations loan, Politico Europe has reported, citing two senior European diplomats.

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