Lili Bayer

Ukraine's path to EU will be tough, with or without Hungarian hurdle Senior European Union officials who visited Ukraine have delivered a stern message to Kyiv that it has a lot more to do to secure membership, while they work on overcoming Hungary's opposition to Ukrainian accession.

I travelled to Kyiv with European officials, where they highlighted the need for Ukraine to implement reforms while they work on overcoming Hungary’s opposition to Ukraine progressing on accession negotiations.

There are many challenges ahead. Story:

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

EU on charm offensive in Ukraine as Hungary blocks Kyiv's accession Ukraine wants to accelerate work on joining the 27-member bloc.

I’ve been travelling in Ukraine with EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, who visited minority communities in Uzhhorod as Hungary continues blocking progress on Kyiv’s accession bid.

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

Slovakia pushes back on pressure over Russia energy purchases Slovakia on Wednesday pushed back on pressure it is facing to cut back its purchases of Russian energy, saying it was ready to discuss the issue, but singled out some European states for increasing their gas purchases from Moscow.

Slovakia pushed back on pressure to cut back its purchases of Russian energy, saying it was ready to discuss the issue, but singled out some European states for increasing gas purchases from Moscow.

Foreign Minister Blanar spoke with @irishjreuters.bsky.social:

www.reuters.com/business/ene...

Behind bullish comments, some see Trump walking away from Ukraine Donald Trump's comments backing Kyiv to regain all of its territory from Russia have sparked a mixture of relief and suspicion that the U.S. president is ready to leave Europe more to its own devices in supporting Ukraine.

Trump's comments backing Kyiv to regain all of its territory from Russia have sparked a mixture of relief and suspicion that the U.S. president is ready to leave Europe more to its own devices in supporting Ukraine.

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

NATO warns Russia to stop 'escalatory' actions after Estonian airspace violation NATO warned Russia on Tuesday that it would use "all necessary military and non-military tools" to defend itself as it condemned Moscow for violating Estonian airspace in "a pattern of increasingly irresponsible behaviour".

NATO warns Russia to stop 'escalatory' actions after Estonian airspace violation

Story with @liliebayer.bsky.social

Europe races to try to influence US position ahead of Trump-Putin talks Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that the U.S. had pledged to consult with Europe ahead of a summit with Russia's Vladimir Putin, as European ministers prepare for discussions amid fears Washington may dictate unfavourable peace terms to Ukraine.

European leaders and Ukraine's Zelenskiy will speak to Trump this week ahead of his summit with Putin, amid fears Washington may dictate unfavourable peace terms to Ukraine.
www.reuters.com/world/europe...

Kallas says any deal between US and Russia must include Ukraine and EU European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Sunday that any deal between Washington and Moscow to end the war in Ukraine must include Ukraine and the EU, adding that she will convene a meeting of European foreign ministers on Monday to discuss next steps.

Kallas said today that any deal between Washington and Moscow to end the war in Ukraine must include Ukraine and the EU, adding that she will convene a meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday to discuss next steps.

www.reuters.com/world/kallas...

EU assessment finds significant obstructive factors undermine humanitarian operations in Gaza The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to be very severe, an EU official told Reuters after the EU's foreign policy and humanitarian arms updated member countries late on Wednesday on the status of an agreement reached with Israel last month on boosting humanitarian access to Gaza.

The EU's foreign policy and humanitarian arms updated member states on the implementation of the Gaza humanitarian access deal with Israel.

An EU official told me that "significant obstructive factors continue to undermine humanitarian operations and aid delivery".
www.reuters.com/world/middle...

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