The European Union is under pressure to expand the weapons manufacturing industry in response to increased demand as EU countries rearm in the wake of the all-out Russian invasion of Ukraine.
As Russia’s war in Ukraine continues to reshape global security, NATO and EU leaders are calling for a massive increase in defence spending. With proposals ranging from higher GDP targets to joint EU borrowing, the debate highlights Europe’s struggle to close the gap in its defence capabilities.
Former US president Donald Trump’s election victory in the United States is sending shivers through Europe, which fears a déjà vu of transatlantic tensions over defence spending and tariffs on EU products sold to the US. What’s at stake for Europe and the EU when Trump returns to the White House?
Former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has become the new Secretary General of NATO. With Russia’s war against Ukraine raging on and Donald Trump’s possible return to the US White House, Rutte faces a tough balancing act between the military alliance’s 32 members and other international partners such as the European Union.
Georgia’s parliament has adopted its controversial “foreign agents” law, despite intense protests in the country. EU and NATO officials, including two European Commissioners, also heavily criticised the law.