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Europe News

EU countries to plug defence spending gaps with €70 billion by 2035

The European Commission is also pushing for a joint procurement method when it comes to buying new weapons.

Europe News

Brussels calls for faster military mobility and stronger cyber defence

The proposals aim to ensure that the bloc's transport infrastructure can be used by heavy military equipment.

France

France to boost forces on NATO's eastern flank after Russian strikes

The move follows President Macron's announcement of a €100 million arms fund for Ukraine, although some accuse Paris of not doing enough for Ukraine.

Europe News

Germany must become 'the best equipped army in Europe', says Scholz

"Our army must become the pillar of conventional defence in Europe, the best equipped armed force in Europe," Olaf Scholz said.

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Europe News

What has the Commission done since the last State of the Union speech?

The war in Ukraine has derailed the plans the Commission chief outlined in her last address.

United Kingdom

Euroviews. Defence and security cooperation could help Truss boost EU ties | View

Defence and security cooperation could help Liz Truss improve damaged UK-EU ties | View

My Europe Series

European countries rethink military service amid Ukraine war

Britain had done away with military service in 1963; Belgium did so in 1992. But between 2004 and 2011, a vast swathe of Europe did away with national service. Only Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Cyprus, Greece, Austria and Switzerland have never abandoned conscription.

My Europe Series

How European countries stand on 2% of GDP defence spending

Two per cent defence spending is the new gospel in Europe. But not everyone is living up to their professed ideals.

Belgium

NATO to hike number of soldiers on high alert from 40,000 to 300,000

Huge reinforcements are heading for NATO's eastern flank.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria hunts for mystery pilot who flew across several countries

The country's defence forces were put on high alert after an unauthorised aircraft entered Bulgarian airspace.

Europe Decoded

Like NATO, the EU has a mutual defence clause but trust appears low

Article 42.7 is the EU's mutual defence clause yet Sweden and Finland still opted to join NATO.

Denmark

Denmark votes to join EU common defence policy

The result of a referendum in Denmark on Wednesday shows voters overwhelmingly in favour of joining the EU's common defence policy 30 years after opting out

Denmark

Denmark holds referendum on European common defence

Denmark is voting in a referendum today on whether or not to scrap the country's opt-out of the European common defence policy.

Europe News

Finland wants to join NATO. But how does a new member sign up?

The process to join the alliance relies heavily on the political appetite of member states.

Euronews Witness

How Sweden is bracing itself for Russian attack

After the end of the Cold War, Sweden demilitarized Gotland island in the Baltic sea. Now, in the wake of Putin’s war in Ukraine, Sweden is accelerating its re-armament.

Europe News

Emmanuel Macron's second term priorities for Europe

Support for the European Union has been Emmanuel Macron’s trademark policy ever since he first came to power in 2017. The French president believes in the EU. Freshly re-elected, he now has five more years to pursue his goal of close cooperation between member states.

Europe Decoded

What would a neutral Ukraine look like?

A neutral Ukraine would be forced to renounce NATO aspirations but could continue its path towards EU membership.

France

Germany eyes French election hoping to protect bilateral cooperation

The hope in Berlin’s government circles is for Macron’s re-election and a continuation of the groundwork that’s been laid with the new German Chancellor.

Switzerland

Swiss bomb shelters are readied as international tensions mount

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has reawakened interest in Switzerland's concrete nuclear fallout shelters, built during the Cold War with enough space to shelter everyone in the country.

Europe Decoded

What is the 'strategic compass' and what does it mean for EU defence?

It has its weaknesses but shows the EU is carving itself a greater geopolitical role.