Monday, 17 August 2026Europe · Analysis
Independent · Brussels & Berlin
World · page 5 of 5
Central and eastern European states are accelerating defence industrial conversion while pressing Washington for concrete security guarantees, fearing a negotiated Ukraine settlement could leave them exposed.
Germany leads a coalition of European nations purchasing American arms for Kyiv, allowing Washington to profit while avoiding direct confrontation with Moscow.
US president announces Patriots and other systems paid for by allies, threatens secondary tariffs on Russian energy buyers, and signals a sharp rhetorical shift toward Kyiv and Europe.
Beijing summit reduced from two days after Xi Jinping declined Brussels invitation. Rare earth curbs, EV tariffs and sanctions on Chinese banks dominate agenda.
A May paper by a senior State Department official frames European elections as opportunities to install Trump-aligned governments, marking a break from eight decades of transatlantic policy.
European Union election observers say dynastic families control four in five congressional seats and two-thirds of party-list posts meant for marginalised groups, calling the legal framework obsolete and fragmented.
Beijing imposes duties of up to 34.9 per cent on EU brandy from 5 July while restricting rare earth exports, as the EU faces a 9 July US tariff deadline and prepares for a strained 50th anniversary summit with China.
NATO chief warns alliance credibility depends on keeping Ukraine supplied while Pentagon reviews stockpiles and Trump signals frustration with Putin
Six prominent pro-Western politicians sentenced to prison for refusing to testify before a parliamentary commission, leaving most opposition leadership behind bars and drawing condemnation from Norway and Transparency International.
Allies gather amid Spanish rejection of the proposed target, Trump's contradictory demands, and uncertainty over Ukraine's place at the table.
EU foreign ministers aligned on a harder line toward Beijing ahead of a July summit, citing enablement of Russia's war, cyber operations and trade coercion as core irritants.
Kaja Kallas presents findings suggesting Israel may have breached human rights obligations under the EU-Israel association agreement, as Spain and Ireland push for suspension while Germany urges restraint.
Five months into Donald Trump's return, the US has abandoned indivisible security, imposed sweeping tariffs and launched a political offensive against European values, forcing allies to coordinate a response before July tariff deadlines.
ECB president tells PBOC that both surplus and deficit nations must adjust, citing 1930s parallels and saying de-risking is now permanent.
The 2025 Peace Report from four leading institutes argues the transatlantic partnership has ended and NATO's mutual defence commitment has lost credibility, recommending a step-by-step plan for integrated European defence structures.
Kaja Kallas unveils a strategy to counter Russian influence and protect undersea cables, yet the plan lacks a budget, a host country or a clear list of participants.
European foreign ministers back review of association agreement while Britain imposes settler sanctions and halts free-trade negotiations, marking the sharpest Western diplomatic pressure on Israel since the war resumed in March.
Brussels targets 189 tankers while London hits missile components and disinformation networks, acting in concert after Trump failed to extract a ceasefire commitment from Putin.
SIPRI data shows European NATO members spent $693 billion last year, yet experts warn the money will take years to translate into deployable force and may duplicate existing systems.
Brussels says no improvement in human rights situation despite Beijing's move to ease retaliatory sanctions on European Parliament members imposed in 2021.
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