Relieved by US progress on Ukraine aid, Europe grapples with its own support for Kyiv – POLITICO

‘Our own homework’ Some European leaders seized on the U.S. vote to call on Europe not to get complacent and lose momentum now that Washington’s new support is expected to be on the way to Kyiv soon. “Hope this vote encourages all allies to look through their warehouses and do more,” Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaja … Read more

NATO has air defense systems ready for Ukraine, Stoltenberg says – POLITICO

“NATO defense ministers have agreed to step up and provide further military support, including more air defense. NATO has mapped out existing capabilities across the lines and there are systems that can be made available to Ukraine,” Stoltenberg said. “So I expect new announcements on air defense capabilities for Ukraine soon … I expect concrete … Read more

NATO’s Stoltenberg asks allies to give air defense systems to Ukraine – POLITICO

“If allies face a choice between meeting NATO capability targets and providing more aid to Ukraine, my message is clear: Send more to Ukraine,” he said, adding that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would attend a NATO-Ukraine Council on Friday. Shortly after Stoltenberg’s press conference, NATO announced he would join the G-7 foreign ministers’ meeting in Italy … Read more

NATO’s Stoltenberg floats $100B, five-year fund for Ukraine – POLITICO

BRUSSELS — NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg will propose a $100 billion, five-year fund for Ukraine when alliance foreign ministers meet on Wednesday, two diplomats told POLITICO. The financial package will be part of a broader initiative to incentivize allies to support Kyiv, as a $60 billion U.S. military aid package is stalled in Congress. One … Read more

Kaja Kallas forced to dismiss viral April Fools’ NATO joke – POLITICO

Shortly afterwards, Kallas stepped in to quell the tsunami of gullibility, replying to Garton Ash, “This was somebody’s April fools joke. Not true.” Last month, Kallas jokingly denied that she ate “Russians for breakfast,” after one anonymous European Union official had attributed unbending anti-Moscow positions to her. “The fact that this April fools joke generated … Read more

‘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

NATO chief says members are responsible for Ukraine’s ammo shortage – POLITICO

“NATO allies are not providing Ukraine with enough ammunition and that has consequences on the battlefield every day,” he added. Stoltenberg also warned that it’s a “huge challenge” as “the Russians are able to outgun the Ukrainians every day.” “It’s one of the reasons why the Russians have been able to make some advances on … Read more

Romania’s president launches bid for NATO top job against Mark Rutte – POLITICO

“Russia will remain the most significant and direct threat to the Alliance for the foreseeable future,” he wrote. Iohannis would be the first NATO chief from a country that was once in the Soviet bloc, but he faces an uphill struggle to edge out Rutte. The U.S., Britain, France and Germany — the four biggest … Read more

Russia relishes Macron humiliation after NATO denial on ground troops

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu attend a wreath-laying ceremony, which marks the anniversary of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany in 1941, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin wall in Moscow, Russia June 22, 2022.  Mikhail Metzel | Sputnik | Reuters Russia appears … Read more

Sooner or later, every NATO country will have to meet defence spending target, says Polish PM

All members of NATO will eventually have to fulfil the pledge to spend two per cent of their GDP on defence, Poland’s prime minister said on Monday at the conclusion of a meeting in Warsaw with his Canadian counterpart. While praising Canada as one of Poland’s “best allies,” Donald Tusk delicately avoided criticizing Prime Minister … Read more