Lili Bayer

EU Commission discusses curbs on Israel research funding amid Gaza pressure European Commissioners will on Monday discuss a proposal to partially suspend Israel's access to the EU's Horizon research funding program following calls from EU governments to increase pressure on Israel over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

New: European Commissioners are discussing today a proposal to partially suspend Israel's access to the EU's Horizon research funding program following calls from EU governments to increase pressure on Israel over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Moldova urges EU to advance membership talks to counter Moscow Moldova wants to start membership negotiations with the European Union in earnest before a September election to counter Russian disinformation in the country about the EU, Deputy Prime Minister Cristina Gherasimov said.

This week I spoke with @liliebayer.bsky.social from @reuters.com about what’s at stake for both #Ukraine and #Moldova in the accession process. 📎 www.reuters.com/world/moldov... @dgap.org

NATO's Trump flattery buys time but dodges tough questions Lavishing praise, playing the royal card and copying his slogans – NATO pulled out all the stops to keep Donald Trump happy and hold the alliance together at a summit in The Hague.

NATO’s Trump flattery buys time but dodges tough questions. Read @reuters.com analysis of how the summit in the The Hague went smoothly - and what may come next, including my take.

@liliebayer.bsky.social @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social

www.reuters.com/business/aer...

NATO leaders set to back Trump defence spending goal at Hague summit NATO leaders gather in The Hague on Wednesday for a summit tailor-made for U.S. President Donald Trump, with European allies hoping a pledge to hike defence spending will prompt him to dispel doubts about his commitment to the alliance.

NATO Hague summit need to know from Team Reuters:

Main story below 👇

Defence spending explainer: www.reuters.com/business/aer...

Rutte profile: www.reuters.com/world/europe...

Explainer: -What is NATO's new 5% defence spending target? NATO leaders are expected to endorse a big new defence spending target at an alliance summit in The Hague on Wednesday, as demanded by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Wondering about NATO’s new 5% defence spending target?

We answers all your questions here:

www.reuters.com/business/aer...

NATO countries approve Hague summit statement with 5% defence spending goal, diplomats say NATO countries agreed a statement on Sunday for their upcoming summit that sets a goal of 5% of GDP for annual defence and security-related spending by 2035, overcoming objections from Spain, diplomats said.

It's done! There's a deal on the NATO summit statement.

5% of GDP for annual defence and security-related spending by 2035

@andrewramsaygray.bsky.social @sasilink.bsky.social
www.reuters.com/world/europe...

Israel may have breached EU agreement, bloc's foreign policy arm says The European Union's diplomatic service said on Friday there were indications that Israel had breached its human rights obligations under the terms of a pact governing its ties with the bloc, according to a document seen by Reuters.

The EU's diplomatic service said there were indications that Israel had breached its human rights obligations.

An Israeli official told Reuters the review was "a one-sided report".

www.reuters.com/world/middle...

Israeli air power reigns over Iran, but needs US for deeper impact Israel's command of Iranian air space leaves few obstacles in the way of its expanding bombardment, though it will struggle to deal a knock-out blow to deeply buried nuclear sites without the U.S. joining the attack, experts say.

Israel's command of Iranian air space leaves few obstacles in the way of its expanding bombardment, though it will struggle to deal a knock-out blow to deeply buried nuclear sites without the U.S. joining the attack, experts say.

www.reuters.com/business/aer...

NATO's dilemma: how Zelenskiy can attend summit without provoking Trump Officials organising a NATO summit in The Hague this month are expected to keep it short, restrict discussion of Ukraine, and choreograph meetings so that Volodymyr Zelenskiy can somehow be in town without provoking Donald Trump.

NATO’s summit plan to keep Donald Trump happy:

short summit & statement

avoid clash with Zelenskiy, who may only get dinner invite

back Trump call for 5% of GDP
on defence (3.5% on ‘traditional’ defence, 1.5% on other security-related items)

W/ @sasilink.bsky.social & @liliebayer.bsky.social

European editors sign petition opposing Hungary's move against foreign-funded groups Over 80 editors from leading European news outlets signed a petition calling for the scrapping of legislation in Hungary that aims to restrict foreign-funded media and rights groups, a step critics say is meant to stifle criticism of the government.

Over 80 editors from leading European news outlets signed a petition calling for the scrapping of legislation in Hungary that aims to restrict foreign-funded media and rights groups, a step critics say is meant to stifle criticism of the government.
www.reuters.com/world/europe...

JOAKIM MEDIN ÄR PÅ VÄG HEM ❤️❤️❤️

Hungarian media, activists protest against crackdown on foreign-funded groups Dozens of news outlets, think tanks and rights groups published an open letter on Thursday protesting against planned legislation that they said is meant to silence criticism of the government.

Dozens of news outlets, think tanks and rights groups published an open letter protesting against planned legislation that they said is meant to silence criticism of the Hungarian government.

EU's Kallas proposes further loosening of Syria sanctions – document EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has proposed a further loosening of European sanctions on Syria to allow funding for Syrian ministries in areas including reconstruction and migration, according to a document seen by Reuters.

EU foreign policy chief Kallas has proposed a further loosening of European sanctions on Syria, according to a document we have obtained.

Details here, with @irishjreuters.bsky.social:

www.reuters.com/world/eus-ka...

EU sees Syria instability as terror risk Instability in Syria could pose security risks for Europe, according to a draft internal EU counter-terrorism document seen by Reuters warning that the overall terror threat level remains high.

Scoop: I got a look at an internal EU counter-terrorism document which raised concerns about risks stemming from instability in Syria.

Dancing in the Council

@poland25eu.bsky.social

Proposed 3.5% defence spending target not reasonable for Belgium, minister says It would not be reasonable for Belgium to boost defence spending to 3.5% of gross domestic product, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot told Reuters on Thursday after NATO's chief floated a proposal to adopt a new defence investment target.

It would not be reasonable for Belgium to boost defence spending to 3.5% of gross domestic product, Foreign Minister Prevot told me after NATO's chief floated a proposal to adopt a new defence investment target.
www.reuters.com/world/europe...

EU and UK to hold annual summits, draft statement shows The European Union and United Kingdom will agree to hold annual summits to take stock of their bilateral relationship, according to a draft statement prepared for an upcoming summit in London seen by Reuters.

The EU and UK want to hold annual summits to discuss their bilateral relationship, according to the latest summit joint statement draft I obtained today.
www.reuters.com/world/europe...

EU to set out plans to halt Russian gas imports by end-2027 The European Union will publish plans on Tuesday to ban new Russian gas deals by the end of this year, and phase out existing contracts with Moscow by the end of 2027, three EU officials told Reuters.

EU to set out plans to halt Russian gas imports by end-2027

🔹EU to publish roadmap to phase out Russian energy
🔹Plan includes end-2027 ban on Russian gas imports, sources say
🔹Could pave way for more U.S. LNG

Coming up today. Story with @liliebayer.bsky.social

www.reuters.com/sustainabili...

Exclusive: NATO chief Rutte floats two-tier spending plan to meet Trump target NATO chief Mark Rutte has proposed alliance members boost defence spending to 3.5% of GDP and spend a further 1.5% on other defence-related items to meet Donald Trump’s demand for a 5% target, people familiar with the idea told Reuters.

Just ICYMI, our story from Friday afternoon

NATO chief Mark Rutte has proposed a new defence spending goal:

3.5% of GDP

+ 1.5% on broader security-related spending

= Donald Trump’s demand for a 5% target

From @liliebayer.bsky.social & me 👇

Exclusive: NATO chief Rutte floats two-tier spending plan to meet Trump target NATO chief Mark Rutte has proposed alliance members boost defence spending to 3.5% of GDP and spend a further 1.5% on other defence-related items to meet Donald Trump’s demand for a 5% target, people familiar with the idea told Reuters.

New from @liliebayer.bsky.social and me:

NATO chief Mark Rutte has proposed that alliance members agree a new defence spending goal of 3.5% of GDP and a further 1.5% on other defence-related items to meet Donald Trump’s demand for a 5% target.

www.reuters.com/world/nato-c...

Hello from Budapest, where the Orbán government’s campaign against Ukrainian EU accession is ongoing.

The gov-funded billboards include images of Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ursula von der Leyen and Manfred Weber.

Exclusive: US admiral at NATO fired in expanding national security purge U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Shoshana Chatfield, who holds a senior position in NATO, has been fired as part of what appears to be an expanding national security purge of top officials by the Trump administration, three sources told Reuters on Monday.

U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Shoshana Chatfield, who holds a senior position in NATO, has been fired as part of what appears to be an expanding national security purge of top officials by the Trump administration, three sources told Reuters.

@phildstewart.bsky.social @idreesali114.bsky.social

US officials object to European push to buy weapons locally U.S. officials have told European allies they want them to keep buying American-made arms, amid recent moves by the European Union to limit U.S. manufacturers' participation in weapons tenders, five sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

US officials have told European allies they want them to keep buying American-made arms, amid recent moves by the European Union to limit US manufacturers' participation in weapons tenders, five sources familiar with the matter told Reuters reut.rs/4jjPyj7

הממשלה מחזרת אחרי הימין הקיצוני באירופה, ומציבה את יהודי היבשת במלכוד הארץ

״הידיעות כי מפלגות הימין הקיצוני באירופה דחקו יהודים מכנס ישראלי נגד אנטישמיות היו צריכות לגרום לקוראים לשפשף את עיניהם
בתדהמה״

Europe’s talks on Ukraine security shift from sending troops European efforts to create security arrangements for Ukraine are shifting from sending troops to other alternatives as they face political and logistical constraints, and the prospect of Russia and the United States opposing their plans, officials said.

European efforts to create security arrangements for Ukraine are shifting from sending troops to other alternatives amid political and logistical constraints and the prospect of Russia and the US opposing plans.

Story with @irishjreuters.bsky.social @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social

The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans U.S. national-security leaders included me in a group chat about upcoming military strikes in Yemen. I didn’t think it could be real. Then the bombs started falling.

American war planning usually takes place in highly secure facilities. But the Trump administration planned its strikes on the Houthis using a group chat—and accidentally included The Atlantic’s editor in chief, Jeffrey Goldberg. theatln.tc/IuULQFiY

EU delays 2040 climate target proposal beyond Q1 The European Commission has delayed its plan to propose a new EU climate target in the first quarter of this year, pushing back the launch of an expected commitment to cut emissions by 2040, it said on Friday.

EU delays 2040 climate target proposal

Story with @charlottevc.bsky.social
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...

EU leaders said today that they will continue to support Ukraine, but they did not immediately endorse a call by Ukrainian President Zelenskiy to approve a package of at least 5 billion euros for artillery purchases.

www.reuters.com/world/europe...

EU does hasty reset of definition of defence spending When do state investments in arms factories, or the wages of tank crews and pilots not count as defence spending? Answer: When the EU rules say they don't.

What counts as defence anyway? That's what the EU is having to hastily figure out as it plans a spending surge.

Great story from @reutersjans.bsky.social

www.reuters.com/business/aer...

EU leaders to stress defence, economic strength amid growing uncertainty European Union leaders will commit on Thursday to do more to make the bloc more competitive with more military muscle in the face of U.S. tariffs and other economic challenges, and doubts over Washington's future backing in defence.

Kallas urged EU leaders on Thursday to pledge 5 billion euros ($5.4 billion) for artillery shells for Ukraine to strengthen its hand in peace talks, amid divergences over how to bolster Kyiv and the EU's own military capabilities.