Andrew Gray

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?"

EU outlines options for political action against Israel on human rights The European Union's diplomatic service on Thursday presented 10 options for political action against Israel after it found "indications" last month that Israel breached human rights obligations under a pact governing its ties with the bloc.

ICYMI, our story from yesterday afternoon:

EU diplomatic service has outlined options for political action against Israel over human rights concerns, in a document seen by Reuters.

(Whether the EU is willing to pursue any of them will be clearer after a foreign ministers’ meeting on Tuesday.)

One more spin for our analysis from NATO's summit in The Hague.

👉 NATO's Trump flattery buys time but dodges tough questions - www.reuters.com/business/aer...

All NATO, including US, 'totally committed' to keeping Ukraine in fight, Rutte says The whole of NATO, including the United States, is "totally committed" to keeping Ukraine in the fight against Russia's invasion, alliance Secretary General Mark Rutte told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday.

All of NATO, including US, 'totally committed' to keeping Ukraine in the fight, NATO boss Mark Rutte told me after the Hague summit.

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.

Our analysis of NATO's Hague summit:

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.

The strategy paid off - but largely avoided vital issues that NATO will have to confront down the line.

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...

Hague NATO summit aims to focus on Trump's spending goal but Iran looms large The NATO alliance has crafted a summit in The Hague this week to shore itself up by satisfying U.S. President Donald Trump with a big new defence spending goal - but it now risks being dominated by the repercussions of his military strikes on Iran.

Greetings from The Hague.

NATO aims keep the alliance together at a summit here by keeping Donald Trump happy.

That means agreeing a big new defence spending goal.

But Spain says it doesn't have to meet the target.

And US military strikes on Iran add more uncertainty into the mix.

Preview 👇

Exclusive: US warns against attending UN conference on Israel-Palestinian two-state solution U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is discouraging governments around the world from attending a United Nations conference next week in New York on a possible two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians.

Exclusive from @irishjreuters.bsky.social &
@humeyrapamuk.bsky.social

U.S. urges governments around the world not to attend U.N. conference on a possible two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, co-hosted by France & Saudi Arabia.

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

NATO announces nomination of Lieutenant General Alexus G. Grynkewich as Supreme Allied Commander Europe The North Atlantic Council has approved the nomination of Lieutenant General Alexus G Grynkewich, United States Air Force, to the post of Supreme Allied Commander Europe.

Following our story last week that Trump had told NATO he would nominate a new Supreme Allied Commander Europe:

NATO’s North Atlantic Council has approved the nomination of Lieutenant General Alexus G. Grynkewich.

www.nato.int/cps/en/natoh...

Exclusive: America's next top general in Europe will also lead NATO forces, officials say President Trump will maintain the traditional role of a U.S. general at the helm of NATO even as Washington pushes European allies to take more responsibility for their security.

New from Reuters:

Donald Trump has told NATO allies he'll nominate a new Supreme Allied Commander Europe, quelling fears he might relinquish a key post that also symbolises US commitment to Europe's defence.

Scoop from @phildstewart.bsky.social, me, @idreesali114.bsky.social @sasilink.bsky.social

Exclusive: NATO to ask Berlin for seven more brigades under new targets, sources say NATO will ask Germany to provide seven more brigades, or some 40,000 troops, for the alliance's defence, three sources told Reuters, under new targets for weapons and troop numbers that its members' defence ministers are set to agree on next week.

Scoop from @sasilink.bsky.social!

NATO will ask Germany to provide seven more brigades - or some 40,000 troops - to defend the alliance, three sources told Reuters, under new targets that defence ministers are set to agree on next week.

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

*Royale, of course. Lost a letter (and a hyphen) in the excitement.

State of the Union: Delirious.

Royal Union Saint Gilloise @rusg.bsky.social are champions of Belgium again after 90 years.

Normal service will resume on this feed tomorrow.

25 years ago, Kurt and Associated Press cameraman Miguel Gil Moreno de Mora were shot in a military ambush in Sierra Leone. Shortly afterwards, the #KSMF was set up to pay lasting tribute to his memory and to keep the world aware of the debt we owe every day to brave journalists.

Pro tip for anyone planning sweeping "state of Europe" takes based on various elections today:

Wait for the results.

Certainly very different in tone from election night. But in keeping with recent remarks. At NATO last week:
"America is indispensable for the security of Europe - today and for a long time to come..."
"I am very thankful today that I can come to a more optimistic assessment of the future of NATO."

Some clear words from new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the European Political Community summit in Tirana:

"We have to undertake all efforts what we can to keep the Americans on our side. We cannot substitute or replace what the Americans still do for us in Europe."

Good morning from the European Political Community summit in Tirana.

Ukraine likely the main subject as some 50 leaders gather here.

Let's see how chatty they are on the way in with this weather.

Update: European Parliament President @president.europarl.europa.eu is flying with us ordinary folk.

She did get VIP treatment - but that's a very relative term when you fly Ryanair from Charleroi - i.e. someone with a high-viz vest escorted her to the plane.

Looking forward to being back in the Balkans for the European Political Community summit in Tirana.

Do say hello if you'll be there too.

Also looking forward to seeing how many senior EU officials will be joining me on the Ryanair flight from Charleroi to get there!

NATO's Rutte wants 2032 deadline for new defence spending goals, Dutch PM says NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has proposed that alliance members meet higher targets for defence spending by 2032, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said on Friday.

Dutch PM Dick Schoof confirms our scoop on NATO boss Mark Rutte's defence spending proposal, and adds a new detail: the timeline.

Per Schoof, Rutte proposes 3.5% of GDP on defence, plus 1.5% on broader security-related spending like cyber and infrastructure.

Deadline: 2032

H/t @vreij.bsky.social

Friedrich Merz rules out permanent joint debt at EU level "We cannot go into never-ending spirals of debt," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said during his first official visit to Brussels. #EuropeNews

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