Page 13 - Europe

EU leaders back new defence spending after Trump hints at self-reliance

European Union leaders on Thursday backed new defence spending plans aimed at freeing up billions of euros for the continent's security after the Trump administration signalled that Europe would have to fend for itself in future. Facing the prospect that the United States might cut them adrift, EU leaders held emergency talks in Brussels to explore new ways to beef up their own security and ensure that Ukraine will still be protected. The 27 leaders signed off on a move to loosen budget restrictions so that willing EU countries can increase their military spending. They also urged the European Commission to seek new ways to facilitate significant defence spending at national level in all Member States, a statement said. The EU's executive branch estimates that around 650 billion euros ($702 billion) could be freed up in this way. The leaders also took note of a commission offer of a loan package worth 150 billion euros ($162 billion) to buy new military equipment and invited EU ...

ECB cuts rates, signals possible further easing amid economic uncertainty

Easing for the sixth time since June, the ECB lowered its deposit rate to 2.5 per cent in a nod to slowing inflation and faltering growth

Russia scolds France's Macron for pushing Europe towards another world war

Russia's invasion of Ukraine triggered the biggest confrontation between West and Russia since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, and both Kremlin and the White House have cautioned against missteps

Russia has become a threat to France and Europe: French President Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron's message to EU: Europe must prepare itself for an era of uncertainty and take greater responsibility for its defence

Macron to confer with allies on protecting Europe with nuclear deterrence

French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday he will confer with European allies on the idea of using France's nuclear deterrent to protect the continent in the face of threats from Russia. Macron made the comments in a televised address to the nation. France is the only nuclear power in the European Union. Macron described Russia as a threat to France and Europe," and said he had decided to open the strategic debate on the protection of our allies on the European continent by our (nuclear) deterrent. He said the use of France's nuclear weapons would remain only in the hands of the French president. Macron also said he hoped to convince US President Donald Trump not to impose tariffs on imports from Europe.

EU leaders open Ukraine talks, seek to adapt to new security demands

European Union leaders plan to hold emergency talks on Thursday to agree ways to quickly increase their military budgets after the Trump administration signalled that Europe must take care of its own security and also suspended assistance to Ukraine. In just over a month, President Donald Trump has overturned old certainties about US reliability as a security partner, as he embraces Russia and withdraws American support for Ukraine. On Monday, Trump ordered a pause to US military supplies to Ukraine as he sought to press President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to engage in negotiations to end the war with Russia, bringing fresh urgency to the EU summit in Brussels. Europe faces a clear and present danger on a scale that none of us have seen in our adult lifetime. Some of our fundamental assumptions are being undermined to their very core," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned in a letter to the EU's 27 leaders, who will consider ways to access more money for defence ...

Donald Trump keeps door open to Ukraine deal with Europe now optimistic

Trump's relatively optimistic assessment could revive prospects for the deal, which Zelenskyy had flown to the US to sign but was scrapped

Wall Street's losing streak deepens as Donald Trump's tariffs kick in

Anxiety over tariffs is also bleeding into the corporate side of the economic equation

John Cockerill, Indian firm form joint venture to produce tank turrets

India is developing the Zorawar tank, a highly versatile platform, to boost the Army's combat capabilities along the contested frontier with China

EU Commission proposes 800-billion-euro plan to boost defence capabilities

The 150 billion euros of new joint borrowing is to go towards building pan-European capability domains like air and missile defence

UK will play leading role in securing peace: Starmer on Russia-Ukraine war

Starmer expressed his discomfort over the clash as 'something nobody in this House wants to see' but went on to assert that the UK-US alliance remains 'indispensable'

Rising to a crisis: Europe moves towards a stronger security identity

After a slow start, Europe now provides about half the military support Ukraine receives. But this understates the degree of American centrality to Ukraine's war effort

European leaders race to craft plan to save Zelenskyy, US support

The UK and France were seeking to build what Starmer called a coalition of the willing to participate in peacekeeping forces

Zelenskyy praises Europe's strong support for Ukraine at London Summit

In a post on X, he emphasised the united stance Europe has taken in supporting Ukraine's independence and security.

Friendless EU suddenly wants India's approval amid shifting global ties

Europe's leaders have correctly decided that they now need as many friends: Japan, the South Americans, India, the Gulf kingdoms as they can possibly cobble together

Europe at 'crossroads' as leaders agree to steps to Ukraine peace: Starmer

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer rallied his European counterparts Sunday to shore up their borders and throw their full weight behind Ukraine as he announced outlines of a plan to end Russia's war. Every nation must contribute to that in the best way that it can, bringing different capabilities and support to the table, but all taking responsibility to act, all stepping up their own share of the burden," he said. Starmer's exhortation to 18 fellow leaders that they need to do the heavy lifting for their own security comes two days after US backing of Ukraine appeared in jeopardy when President Donald Trump lashed out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and said he wasn't grateful enough for America's support. The meeting had been overshadowed by the extraordinary scolding that took place on live television at the White House. Starmer used the opportunity as part of his broader effort to bridge the gap between Europe and the US and also salvage what had seemed like the sta

Europe needs a 'coalition of the willing' for Ukraine: UK PM Keir Starmer

Starmer said that such a grouping would likely include the UK and France and "one or two others," who would work with Ukraine on a "plan to stop the fighting."

Volodymyr Zelenskyy's blowup with Trump leaves allies facing disaster

The blowup left Ukraine facing an open breach with the country that has been its most important ally and arms supplier in its three-year fight against Russia's full-scale invasion

European leaders vow to support Ukraine after Oval Office clash with Trump

European leaders pledged late Friday to stand by Ukraine in the wake of the contentious Oval Office meeting between US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with their statements in support of their neighbour on the continent ensuring a deepening transatlantic rift. European leaders already were shaken by Vance's speech to the Munich Security Conference two weeks ago in which he lectured them about the state of their democracy. As prime ministers and presidents across the continent scrambled to respond, they have held a series of emergency summits to discuss security. Another major summit is scheduled for Sunday in London, hosted by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. More than a dozen European and EU leaders, including Zelenskyy, will gather for a meeting meant to drive forward action on Ukraine and security. The leaders' comments Friday largely did not mention Trump or Vance, but rather sought to assure Ukraine of their support as

Tesla's market capitalisation slips below $1 trillion as Europe sales sink

Tesla shares are now by far the biggest decliner among the mega-cap technology stocks, weighing heavily on the group's overall performance