Author: staff
U.S.-made PAC-3 interceptor missiles used in the American Patriot system are currently the country’s best defense against Russian ballistic missiles, although it hopes to develop its own ballistic missile defenses. The second Trump administration has dragged its feet on providing Kyiv with Patriot missiles, leaving Kyiv in a bind as its supplies dwindle. The U.S.-Israeli war in Iran has further threatened Ukraine’s supply, as the two countries and other U.S. allies in the region burn through hundreds of PAC-3 interceptors. In Monday’s letter, the Ukrainian leader acknowledged the “high demand” for Patriot missiles in other regions, and accedes to the…
By Emma De Ruiter Published on 27/05/2026 – 22:22 GMT+2 Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy insisted on Wednesday that he had “not betrayed the trust of the French people,” in his final statement before the Paris Court of Appeal, which is retrying the case into allegations that the late Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi secretly funded his successful 2007 presidential campaign. “This case of alleged Libyan financing of my campaign began with lies and with a conspiracy; it must end in truth and transparency”, he added. “I will never be able to confess to something I did not do; that is not…
“Russia’s largest nuclear arsenal is located in the High North, just a few kilometers from Norway,” he said, adding that Norway would continue to primarily rely on NATO for its security. On March 2, the French president announced that Germany, Poland, Greece, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Sweden had agreed to discuss nuclear cooperation with Paris. That could include joint nuclear drills, information sharing and, ultimately, the potential temporary deployment of French nuclear-capable Rafale fighter jets in allied countries — a concept the French called “forward nuclear deterrence.” Since then, highly classified talks about exactly what the cooperation will entail…
The confrontation unfolded near the Paracel Islands, a strategically important archipelago of some 130 islands that Beijing seized from Vietnam in the 1970s and now controls through a network of military outposts and surveillance capabilities. China strictly controls travel to the region, and individual or commercial vessels are not allowed in the islands’ territorial waters. The Dutch Defense Ministry disputed Beijing’s account, telling POLITICO that HNLMS De Ruyter was operating “in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).” The ministry said the frigate is sailing through the South China Sea and…
Published on 27/05/2026 – 21:01 GMT+2 In this special edition from the Imperial Fora in Rome, we are joined by Claudio Borghi, senator for the League, and Arturo Scotto, member of the Italian Parliament for the Democratic Party (PD). The debate focuses on the alleged shift in the foreign policy of Giorgia Meloni’s government. In recent months, tensions have grown with the United States and Israel — two of Rome’s historic allies, both led by figures politically close to the Italian prime minister. The call for European sanctions against Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, following the shocking video in…
Budapest is seeking to reset strained ties with Brussels after years of confrontation under the ousted former leader Viktor Orbán. Magyar, whose centrist movement swept to victory in Hungary’s election last month, is seeking to unlock billions in EU funds frozen over Budapest’s breaches of EU law under Orbán, who governed the country for 16 consecutive years. Unlocking €10.4 billion in EU post-pandemic recovery funds is the Magyar government’s top priority, Foreign Minister Orbán — no relation of the former leader — told POLITICO. The release of the funds is contingent on Hungary meeting specific reform criteria, the Commission said. Budapest…
Published on 27/05/2026 – 14:41 GMT+2 The European Commission might soon appoint an AI envoy — but what the job would actually entail remains undefined. The idea was floated last week by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during a meeting with Europe’s top corporate executives gathered at the European Round Table for Industry. “It seems to be an idea that comes back now and again,” a diplomatic source told Euronews, noting it was not the first time the post had been suggested. What the position would actually entail is still far from clear, even within the European Commission.…
The crisis at Mexico’s state-owned oil company Pemex is the country’s biggest problem, according to tycoon Carlos Slim Helú, 86, Mexico’s richest man, whose fortune is estimated at around 125 billion dollars. Pemex is going through a deep crisis, marked by falling output, a lack of investment and debt of around 85 billion dollars (about 73 billion euros). Pemex ended 2025 with losses of roughly 2.5 billion dollars (2.148 billion euros), while the government is investing in its bailout with aggressive financial support. Slim’s annual press conference The owner of América Móvil, Latin America’s largest mobile operator, holds a press…
The ESN political group doesn’t face sanctions, and the only effect that AfD MEPs would feel would be the lack of a political party to provide support in future EU elections or to coordinate policy with like-minded factions. The ESN party and ESN group were founded by Alternative for Germany in the wake of the 2024 EU election, and include Bulgaria’s Revival, France’s Reconquest (led by Éric Zemmour), Poland’s Confederation, Czechia’s SPD, Hungary’s Our Homeland Movement, the Netherlands’ Forum for Democracy, and Slovakia’s Republic Movement. In 2026 it is slated to receive over €2 million in subsidies from the European…
The prospect of engaging directly with Russia to end its war on Ukraine has once again faded as foreign affairs ministers of the European Union gather in Cyprus amid Moscow’s explicit threats to hit diplomatic missions in Kyiv. The idea of direct talks, which has been on and off the political agenda since January, gained momentum earlier this month after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, frustrated by the White House’s heavy focus on the Middle East, asked Europeans to speak with “one common voice” and appoint a designated envoy. The plea led to various names, such as Finnish President Alexander Stubb,…