Andrew Gray

Trump's push to end Ukraine war raises fears of 'ugly deal' for Europe However Donald Trump’s latest push to end the war in Ukraine pans out, Europe fears the prospect of a deal – sooner or later – that will not punish or weaken Russia as its leaders had hoped, placing t...

Analysis ahead of Witkoff-Putin meeting today:

However Trump’s latest push to end the war in Ukraine pans out, Europe fears the prospect of a deal – sooner or later – that will not punish or weaken Russia as its leaders had hoped, placing the continent’s security in greater jeopardy.

Of course, ultimately, this is not a decision that will be made by the EU or other European leaders.

But the language may indicate the direction of a compromise - higher than the 600,000 in the US plan, maybe more like 800,000, as some Europeans have suggested.

Worth looking closely at what European leaders say on Ukrainian army limits.

Von der Leyen today: "There can be no limitations on Ukraine's armed forces that would leave the country vulnerable to future attacks."

Not quite a flat 'no limts', leaves open for discussion how high a cap might be. 1/2

We've published the full text of a European counter-proposal to the U.S. 28-point Ukraine peace plan, seen by Reuters.

The document, drafted by Europe's E3 powers of Britain, France and Germany, takes the U.S. plan as its basis but goes through point by point with suggested changes & deletions.

New from us:

Europeans have submitted a modified version of the United States' peace plan for Ukraine that pushes back on proposed limits to Kyiv's armed forces and territorial concessions, according to a document seen by Reuters on Sunday.

Story below, we'll also publish full text.

EU foreign policy chief @kajakallas.bsky.social sending a very visual message on Ukraine at EU-Indo Pacific ministerial meeting.

Ukraine is showing "remarkable commitment" to joining the EU, but must reverse recent negative trends in the fight against corruption and accelerate rule of law reforms, the European Commission said in a draft text seen by Reuters on Monday.

Joint statement on Ukraine: 21 October 2025 Statement by President Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Starmer, Chancellor Merz, President Macron, Prime Minister Meloni, Prime Minister Tusk,  President von der Leyen, President Costa, Prime Minister Støre...

European leaders' statement on Ukraine:

"We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force."

EU scramble for anti-Russia 'drone wall' hits political, technical hurdles Just hours after some 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace last month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it was time for Europe to build a "drone wall" to protect its eastern flank.

Here's our deep dive into the EU's drone wall (which, as we reported yesterday, is getting a new name).

We get into the politics, the technicalities and lessons from Ukraine.

A great team effort from Reuters colleagues across Europe. Thanks to them all & everyone who spoke to us.

EU Commission proposes expanding 'drone wall' plan to protect more areas, sources say The European Commission has proposed expanding an initiative for a "drone wall" on Europe's eastern flank to protect all of the continent after some regions said they felt left out, two EU officials and an EU diplomat told Reuters on Tuesday.

Updated story: Drone wall is changing. Get ready for EDDI - European Drone Defence Initiative.

Just published on Reuters, from me and @liliebayer.bsky.social :

The European Commission has broadened its proposal of a "drone wall" on Europe's eastern flank to suggest a "European Drone Defence Initiative" that would help protect the whole continent, two EU officials and an EU diplomat said.

3. Hungary keeps its roadblock on Ukraine’s EU path - but EU leaders & officials are working to find ways around it.

There's a lot EU Commission can do to advise Ukraine & help with reforms - even if Kyiv doesn’t get to open formal 'chapters' in the process.

To be continued in Brussels, Oct 23-24.

EU leaders to discuss 'drone wall' in Denmark, days after airspace violations European Union leaders will discuss proposals for a "drone wall" to protect the continent at a summit on Wednesday in Copenhagen, just days after airspace intrusions by unidentified unmanned aircraft forced a temporary closure of Danish airports.

2. There will be a European anti-drone initiative.

Tbd: Whether it will still be called a ‘drone wall’, how much it evolves, who’s in charge.

But there's broad agreement, given recent scares, that Europe needs to get better quickly at countering drones.

Belgium says EU leaders must share risk to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine Belgium's Prime Minister Bart De Wever said on Thursday he asked other European Union leaders to give guarantees they would share the risks if frozen Russian assets held in his country were used to finance loans to Ukraine.

3 observations from 2 days of European summits in Copenhagen:

1. Proposal to use Russian frozen assets for a big loan to Ukraine has legs.

Won’t be easy to get over the line. Belgian PM De Wever gave punchy warnings of dangers and difficulties.

But a lot of leaders want to push ahead.

EU leaders to discuss 'drone wall' in Denmark, days after airspace violations European Union leaders will discuss proposals for a "drone wall" to protect the continent at a summit on Wednesday in Copenhagen, just days after airspace intrusions by unidentified unmanned aircraft forced a temporary closure of Danish airports.

Good morning from Copenhagen, where EU leaders meet in the midst of drone anxiety.

On the agenda: European defence and support for Ukraine.

European Commission says it has answers - 'drone wall' and a big loan to Kyiv using frozen Russian assets.

But both pose many questions.

Our preview:

If you're more of an audio person, the original episode is below.

My contribution is very much the "and finally" item, about 22 mins in.

www.bbc.com/audio/play/p...

The last perfumer of Belgrade In the 1950s, the perfume industry boomed in Belgrade - now, there is only one perfume shop left in the Serbian capital. Andrew Gray went to visit.

Happy 70th birthday to the BBC's From Our Own Correspondent radio show.

I had the pleasure of contributing a few pieces some years back. This is the online magazine version of my favourite - the BBC called the episode "The Smell of History".

www.bbc.com/news/magazin...

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

Spoke to EU defence commissioner @andriuskubilius.ec.europa.eu, who plans a videoconference next week on creating 'drone wall' on eastern border.

"We want really to move ahead with very, very intensive and effective preparations to start to fill this gap, which is really very dangerous for us."

Suspected Russian incursion in Poland raises drone defence questions for NATO After NATO aircraft intercepted drones in Polish airspace overnight, the Western military alliance sought to reassure its citizens on Wednesday that everything had gone as it should.

After its aircraft intercepted drones in Polish airspace overnight, NATO sought to reassure citizens that everything had gone as it should.

But analysts say the incident raised questions about why the drones were able to enter NATO airspace and the alliance's ability to deter such threats.

EU to work on using frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine after war The European Union will examine how to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's defence and reconstruction after the war but confiscating them now is not politically realistic, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Saturday.

Another dispatch from Copenhagen:

EU won't confiscate frozen Russian assets for now - but will look at how to use them to help Ukraine after war.

Kallas says it's "unthinkable that Russia will ever see this money again unless it fully compensates Ukraine".

EU ministers split over Gaza in Copenhagen meeting European Union foreign ministers on Saturday were deeply split over the war in Gaza, with some calling for the EU to apply strong economic pressure on Israel while others made clear they were unwilling to go that far.

"If you don't have a unified voice ... on this topic, we don't have a voice on the global scene. So that's definitely very problematic."

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on EU divisions on Gaza.

My report from Copenhagen:

EU foreign policy...

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.

Interesting reaction from @eucopresident.consilium.europa.eu to US-EU trade deal. He welcomes it but adds this:

"Let’s build on this outcome by further strengthening the EU’s competitiveness and expanding our global trade network."

US and EU clinch deal with broad 15% tariffs on EU goods to avert trade war The deal, which includes a 15% tariff on EU goods entering the U.S. and significant EU purchases of U.S. energy and military equipment, will bring welcome clarity for EU companies though many in Europe will see it as a poor outcome.

U.S. and EU agree deal imposing a 15% U.S. import tariff on most EU goods but averting trade war between two of the world's biggest economies.

"We'll probably know in about an hour. Shouldn't take that long," Trump says on prospects of an EU-US trade deal with Ursula von der Leyen.

Back in my homeland as Donald Trump and Ursula von der Leyen try to seal a US-EU trade deal.

Latest story here, with top colleagues: www.reuters.com/business/tru...

Keep an eye on @reuters.com for news and analysis from the meeting.

Frustration, Gaza alarm drove Macron to go it alone on Palestine recognition Emmanuel Macron's announcement caused diplomatic ructions from the Middle East and Europe to Washington - but it did not come out of the blue.

Emmanuel Macron's announcement that France will recognise a Palestinian state in September has caused diplomatic ructions from the Middle East through Europe to Washington.

But it did not come out of the blue.

Inside story from top team @irishjreuters.bsky.social & @michelrose.bsky.social

EU's Kaja Kallas welcomes Trump plan for NATO allies to buy US arms for Ukraine - but wishes US would "share burden".

"If we pay for these weapons, it's our support ... If you promise to give the weapons, but say that somebody else ... is going to pay for it, it's not really given by you, is it?"