Understanding...
— Canada and the EU have signed a sweeping defence partnership, pledging deeper cooperation on Ukraine, climate change, and technology as transatlantic alliances face new pressures.
Ukraine
US-NATO Relationship
— NATO’s Hague summit this week, compressed to one session to appease Donald Trump, agrees on higher defence spending. Uncertainty remains over the US commitment and Europe’s readiness to address new, ambiguous threats.
Germany
— Trump signals protection of Putin as Germany backs Ukraine with long-range missiles and military expansion, revealing deepening transatlantic rift and a shifting European stance on defence leadership.
War in Ukraine
— Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb saw 117 drones strike deep inside Russia, destroying over 40 aircraft. The stealth attack exposed critical airspace defence gaps, redefining modern warfare and low-level aerial threat management.
US-Ukraine Minerals Deal
— The US-Ukraine postwar deal promises investment and profit-sharing on mineral wealth, but shaky reserves, no security guarantees and Trump’s unpredictability cloud its real impact on peace or defence.
War in Ukraine
— Volodymyr Zelensky says two Chinese nationals fighting for Russia were captured in Donetsk, raising concerns over China’s role in the war in Ukraine.
Ukraine
— Despite foreign pressure, Ukrainians overwhelmingly oppose elections during the war — backing Zelensky as a bulwark against Russian and U.S. attempts to sway Ukraine’s future.
OPINION
— Donald Trump’s second presidency prioritises alliances with autocracies, ending wars on his terms, and economic nationalism. A ‘win’ in Ukraine may well lead the US president to act in Gaza and resume talks of acquiring Canada or Greenland.
War in Ukraine
— Volodymyr Zelensky’s approval jumped 10% after a tense White House meeting with Donald Trump last week. Ukrainians rally behind him, viewing U.S. rhetoric as a challenge to their sovereignty. His next diplomatic moves are crucial.
European Union
— EU leaders have agreed in principle to boost defence spending amid U.S. pressure and Trump’s Ukraine stance. Funding remains contentious, while Macron proposes extending France’s nuclear deterrent over the EU.
American Isolationism
— Eighty-five years apart, Charles de Gaulle and Volodymyr Zelensky, fighting for their nations’ survival, defied US isolationism and challenged Roosevelt and Trump, highlighting the deep-rooted ‘America First’ approach in US foreign policy and its far-reaching impact on global conflicts.
European Union
— After a fraught White House meeting, European leaders reaffirmed support for Ukraine, planning €800bn (£670m) in defence spending. The EU’s “ReArm Europe” plan reduces U.S. dependency, bolstering security and economic resilience.
Trump-Zelensky Clash
— Trump’s press conference with Zelensky signalled a geopolitical shift, aligning closer to Putin while unsettling US allies. Europe braces for leadership, China gains leverage, and Nato faces uncertainty amid Trump’s America-first stance.
Trump-Zelensky Clash
— The heated Oval Office clash between Zelensky and Trump has unified Ukrainians, exposing shifting U.S. policy under Trump. With U.S. support wavering, Ukraine increasingly turns to Europe for backing.
Trump-Zelensky Clash
— Ukrainian President Zelensky’s White House visit erupted into a heated clash with Trump, highlighting deep US-Ukraine divisions over a rare earth minerals deal. Despite tensions, negotiations remain crucial for Ukraine’s future leverage.
War in Ukraine
— Trump’s presidency shifts U.S. foreign policy, sidelining Ukraine and Europe. His administration signals retreat from NATO commitments, while Russia refuses European peacekeepers. Europe faces tough choices amid worsening transatlantic divisions.
