“It is true that we spend more on defense now than we did a decade ago,” said Rutte. “But we are still spending far less than during the Cold War. Even though the threats to our freedom and security are just as big — if not bigger.” “During the Cold War, Europeans spent far more … Read more
“Don’t expect any competition between myself and NATO,” Kubilius said. “Where the EU can be of assistance … is … on the development of resources for [the] development of defense plans. We can raise money … that is what NATO cannot do.” “With the resources we have now, in the 10 days we’d spend waiting … Read more
3. Von der Leyen crowns herself the winner on gender despite lack of balance Von der Leyen’s month-long struggle to get a gender-balanced European Commission did not lead to an equal number of men and women on her team, despite her pressure on countries to send one male and one female candidate from each country. … Read more
If approved, Kubilius — a former academic and two-time prime minister who has served as an MEP since 2019 — would have to give up his seat in the European Parliament. Kubilius, a co-author of the European Plan for Ukraine from 2017, is a vocal supporter of Kyiv and has a tough stance on Russia. … Read more
Verhofstadt’s move is widely seen as parliamentary theatrics, since the legislature has no power to force the Council to provide weapons. Both institutions have been in a long-running budgetary dispute anyway because the Council refuses to engage with the Parliament’s audit checks, and the Parliament has not signed off on the Council’s budget discharge in … Read more
