‘Broadening’ consensus on need to defeat Putin among EU leaders, says Lithuanian president – POLITICO

‘Broadening’ consensus on need to defeat Putin among EU leaders, says Lithuanian president – POLITICO

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is the EU leader with the closest ties to Putin and, to a lesser extent, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is also seen as pro-Russia. Nausėda’s view from behind closed doors is mirrored by public statements from EU leaders. The most dramatic shift has been by French President Emmanuel Macron, … Read more

Germany investigating leak in Russia of audio purportedly showing discussion of Ukraine aid – POLITICO

Germany investigating leak in Russia of audio purportedly showing discussion of Ukraine aid – POLITICO

The debate over Ukraine aid has been heating up in Berlin as Ukraine has faced setbacks on the battlefield and the latest package of U.S. military aid to Ukraine has been mired in political debate in Congress. In the controversial audio recording, released by Russia Today editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan, officials from Germany’s armed forces, the Bundeswehr, discuss … Read more

Germany’s Scholz wants European allies to up defense spending – POLITICO

Germany’s Scholz wants European allies to up defense spending – POLITICO

He said Germany, often criticized in the past for not spending enough on defense, would meet NATO’s target of spending 2 percent of GDP on the military through “the 2020s, 2030s and beyond.” Germany is, by far, Ukraine’s leading supporter in terms of military aid in Europe, according to data compiled by the Kiel Institute. … Read more

Ukraine signs security pacts with Germany, France – POLITICO

Ukraine signs security pacts with Germany, France – POLITICO

Despite that, the future of Ukraine’s successful defense “also depends on the United States,” the chancellor said, as he urged the U.S. Congress to approve a new multibillion-dollar aid package for Kyiv. Scholz also said that Germany was ramping up arms production to not only better support Ukraine but also ensure its own security. “If … Read more