Author: LORNE-COOK—Associated-Press
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Germany pledges big military aid package to Ukraine as Kyiv puts 2026 defense needs at $120 billion
BRUSSELS (AP) — Germany on Wednesday pledged more than $2 billion in military aid for Ukraine, as the government in Kyiv signaled that it would need $120 billion in 2026 to stave off Russia’s nearly four-year all-out war. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that Germany would buy $500 million worth of U.S. weapons for Ukraine…
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Dutch far-right politician Wilders fears he may have been a target of Belgian attack plotters
BRUSSELS (AP) — Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders said Friday that he’s suspending campaigning for national elections later this month following reports that he was a possible target of a suspected plot in Belgium to kill politicians using a drone carrying explosives. Three men were taken into custody on Thursday after searches of their homes…
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NATO begins a big nuclear exercise next week. Protecting the weapons is a key part of the drill
BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO will hold its major annual nuclear exercise next week, the alliance’s chief announced Friday, with an important part of the drill to focus on protecting the weapons before they’re ever used. The long-planned “Steadfast Noon” exercise, which starts on Monday, is taking place amid heightened security around military facilities in Europe…
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Belgian police detain 3 over a suspected plot to attack politicians with a drone
BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgian police on Thursday detained three people over a suspected plot to attack the country’s politicians including Prime Minister Bart De Wever with a drone carrying explosives. The three were taken into custody after an anti-terrorism judge ordered searches of their homes in the port city of Antwerp by police officers working…
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Greenland’s leader hails EU as trusted friend and urges investment in its minerals
BRUSSELS (AP) — Greenland’s leader on Wednesday thanked the European Union for being “a trusted friend” and urged the 27-nation bloc to invest in his country’s mineral resources, renewable energy, airports and internet services. In a speech to the European Parliament, Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said that “2025 has been an eventful if not dramatic…
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EU chief says Russia is waging a ‘gray zone campaign’ and Europe must meet the challenge
BRUSSELS (AP) — Russia is waging a “targeted gray zone campaign” against Europe, including airspace violations, sabotage and cyberattacks that will only escalate if the Kremlin is not challenged, the European Union’s top official warned on Wednesday. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that in just two weeks, fighter jets breached Estonia’s airspace,…
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European positions on Russia harden as drone incidents, cyber-attacks and sabotage mount
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Europe must take a more aggressive approach with Russia by shooting down drones that enter European airspace and boarding shadow fleet ships illicitly transporting oil to deprive Moscow of war revenue, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday. Speaking at a European summit in Copenhagen, Macron and other European leaders called…
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Denmark warns that Russia is waging a hybrid war on Europe, as EU leaders hold security talks
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Europe is in the middle of a hybrid war waged by Russia and the continent must arm itself, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned on Wednesday as she hosted a summit of European Union leaders in Copenhagen. “I hope that everybody recognizes now that there is a hybrid war and one…
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Airspace violations force NATO to tread a tightrope, deterring Russia without hiking tensions
BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO is stepping up aerial surveillance in the Baltic Sea, while France, Germany and Sweden are bolstering Denmark’s air defenses ahead of two summits in Copenhagen this week over a series of troubling drone incidents near the country’s airports and military bases. The number of serious airspace violations in Europe has spiked…
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European defense ministers agree to press on with ‘drone wall’ project as airspace violations mount
BRUSSELS (AP) — European defense ministers agreed on Friday to develop a “drone wall” along their borders with Russia and Ukraine to better detect, track and intercept drones violating Europe’s airspace. The decision comes after a spate of incidents in which Europe’s borders and airports have been tested by rogue drones. Russia has been blamed…