Andrew Gray

reuters.comPalantir says it cannot shut off NATO AI system as Europeans fear US tech dependenceUS software company Palantir sought to reassure Europeans that its military AI system used by NATO has no "kill ‌switch", after disruptions to Ukraine's Starlink services heightened concerns about re...

Palantir seeks to reassure Europeans that its military AI system used by NATO has no "kill ‌switch", after disruptions to Ukraine's Starlink services heightened concerns about reliance on US tech firms. Interview with Louis Mosley:

reuters.comEU will probably have to give new loan to Ukraine, Estonian PM Michal saysThe European Union will probably have to provide a new loan to Ukraine to help cover a budget gap for next year and ‌keep up Kyiv's fight against Russia's invasion, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Mi...

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal tells me on the record what other EU officials have begun saying privately: There will likely have to be a new EU loan for Ukraine. "Financial assistance in the war of attrition is the alpha and omega. ⁠You have to keep it up," he says in Reuters interview.

reuters.comEXCLUSIVE: Europe needs 'decisive change' in defence efforts to face Russia threat, EU agency saysThe European Union is ‌not rearming quickly or effectively enough to meet its goal of being ready to defend against Russia by 2030, according to the executive summary of an EU report prepared for the ...

ICYMI - quietly damning official report on EU's defence efforts so far.

Andrew Gray@andrewramsaygray.bsky.social

Europe is not rearming quickly or effectively enough to meet its goal of being ready to defend against Russia by 2030, according to the exec summary of an EU report for the bloc's leaders and seen by @liliebayer.bsky.social (2/2)

reuters.comNATO steps up intelligence-sharing over Russia threat, top commander saysNATO is stepping up intelligence-sharing in response to a wave of sabotage and other incidents apparently linked to ‌Russia but should be "calm and confident" that it can handle any threat posed by Mo...

2 top stories today from Reuters' European foreign+security policy team: NATO's top commander tells @sasilink.bsky.social it's stepping up intelligence-sharing in response to hybrid incidents apparently linked to Russia but should be "calm and confident" it can handle any threat from Moscow. (1/2)

reuters.comEU faces backlash after lifting sanctions on Russian billionairesThe European Union faced a growing backlash on Wednesday for lifting sanctions on two Russian billionaires, with some of its members saying the move undermined a pillar of support for Ukraine’s war e...

Our story on the blowback against the EU for lifting sanctions on Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman. @jpaynenews.bsky.social @liliebayer.bsky.social @irishjreuters.bsky.social

reuters.comEU's von der Leyen backs European Security Council and 'playbook' against sabotageEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday backed the creation of a European Security Council, bringing together leaders from the EU, Britain, Norway, Ukraine and ‌Canada, as she...

16 Sept

Ursula von der Leyen today threw her weight behind a European Security Council. But what would it do? Who would be in it? And will it get support to become reality? @liliebayer.bsky.social & I gathered initial reactions: some positive, some warning of another talking shop & duplication with NATO.

reuters.comTurkey's Erdogan gives NATO leaders revolver conundrum after summitBelgium's prime minister was a little surprised on landing back home from Wednesday's NATO summit in Turkey to find that he had a handgun and ammunition in his luggage.

9 July

Good story. Deserves bullet points. Turkey's Erdogan gives NATO leaders revolver conundrum after summit - www.reuters.com/lifestyle/tu...

reuters.comEXCLUSIVE: NATO's Rutte says alliance reunited at Ankara summit after Trump 'quarrel'Disputes between U.S. President Donald Trump and other NATO leaders showed the alliance's democratic strength and should serve as a lesson for Russian President ‌Vladimir Putin, NATO Secretary Genera...

9 July

I asked Mark Rutte if he’d change his approach to Donald Trump. “No, they knew what they got when they hired me,” he said. “If people are doing good stuff, I will say so. If I do not agree, I will also say so, but then probably not out in the open, and try to maintain the unity of the alliance.”

reuters.comNATO weathers another Trump storm but braces for more after Ankara summitNATO has weathered another storm from Donald Trump but European members of the military alliance are bracing for more turbulence ahead in relations with the U.S. president.

9 July

Analysis after Ankara: NATO weathers another Trump storm but braces for more. With @liliebayer.bsky.social

6 July

Anchored down in Ankara for the NATO summit on Tuesday and Wednesday. Follow @reuters.com for previews, news and analysis.

reuters.comNATO leaders including Trump to affirm 'ironclad commitment' to collective defence in Ankara, summit text saysNATO leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump are set to affirm an "ironclad commitment" to collective defence under the alliance's Article 5 pact at ‌a summit in Ankara next week, according to ...

3 July

NATO leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump are set to affirm an "ironclad commitment" to collective defence under the alliance's Article 5 pact at ‌a summit in Ankara next week, according to a text approved by NATO ambassadors on Friday and seen by Reuters. With @liliebayer.bsky.social

reuters.comNATO leaders to gather in Ankara, aiming to smooth over tensions with TrumpNATO leaders gather next week in Ankara, where Europeans aim to set aside strife with U.S. President Donald Trump over Iran and Greenland and show they are stepping up to defend the continent as Wash...

3 July

Our preview of NATO’s Ankara summit: Europeans aim to set aside strife with U.S. President Donald Trump over Iran and Greenland and show they are stepping up to defend the continent as Washington cuts back on its commitments to the alliance.

reuters.comNext NATO summit in Albania in doubt amid US reluctance and low defence spendingAs NATO leaders prepare for a summit in Turkey next week, plans for an alliance summit in Albania next year have been thrown into doubt due to resistance from ‌the Trump administration and dissatisfa...

1 July

After Ankara, Albania? Not so fast. At next week's NATO summit, leaders are set to avoid endorsing a previous decision to meet next time in Albania. Trump admin and some allies keen to end annual summits & many unhappy with Tirana's low defence spending. Our story:

30 June

Even as NATO leaders prepare for a summit in Turkey next week, plans to hold their next gathering in Albania in 2027 have been thrown into doubt. The reasons: resistance from ‌the Trump administration & dissatisfaction with Tirana's low defence spending.

16 June

Trying to keep the key defender on side.

reuters.comFrance floats revamp of EU diplomacy with 'reinforced' role for Kallas, paper showsFrench officials have suggested an overhaul of the EU's diplomatic service that could include boosting the role for foreign ‌policy chief Kaja Kallas in a bid to improve the bloc's response to crises,...

11 June

New from us, based on French paper that sets out three options for an overhaul of the EU diplomatic service: France floats revamp of EU diplomacy with 'reinforced' role for Kallas

reuters.comGermany's Merz pitches 'associate' EU membership for UkraineGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz has proposed giving Ukraine a direct role in European Union structures as an interim step to EU ‌membership that he said could help facilitate a deal to end the war t...

21 May

Germany's Merz pitches 'associate' EU membership for Ukraine Story by @liliebayer.bsky.social and me on the chancellor's push to find a middle way between fast-track membership and Ukraine's current status as candidate at start of process.

reuters.comExclusive: US plans to shrink forces available to NATO during crises, sources sayThe Trump administration is planning to tell NATO allies this week that it will shrink the pool of military capabilities that the U.S. would have available ‌to assist the alliance's European nations ...

20 May

Re-posting for European morning readers.

Andrew Gray@andrewramsaygray.bsky.social

NEW: The Trump administration plans to tell NATO allies this week it will shrink the pool of military capabilities it would make available ‌to help in a crisis, three sources tell Reuters. By @gramslattery.bsky.social @jonathanlanday.bsky.social & Reuters colleagues on both sides of the Atlantic.

19 May

reuters.comEU ministers dismiss Putin's idea of role for Schroeder in future security talksEuropean governments on Monday rejected a suggestion by Russian President Vladimir Putin that former German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder could ‌represent them in possible future talks with Moscow on t...

11 May

Toot toot! The EU’s Kaja Kallas reckons she could handle talks with Russia, although she says Moscow does not seem ready to engage. "When a politician doesn't toot his own horn, the horn usually remains untooted. So I have to say I think I could see through the traps that Russia is presenting."

reuters.comEU ministers reject Putin's idea of role for Schroeder in future security talksEuropean governments on Monday rejected suggestion by Russian President Vladimir Putin that German former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder could represent ‌them in possible future talks with Moscow on the...

11 May

Schroeder as a European negotiator for Russia talks? That's a nein. Some kind of Russia talks at some stage, with a European envoy or team? That's more of a maybe or a 'depends who you talk to'. Story with @liliebayer.bsky.social & colleagues.

11 May

Just in case anyone was wondering whether Spain’s call for an EU army is new, here is our story on the proposal from January by my colleague Victoria Waldersee. (Not much enthusiasm for the idea from other EU countries so far.) www.reuters.com/business/dav...

reuters.comTrump's Germany troop cuts show limits of NATO efforts to keep US on boardEuropean officials have been working on ways to convince Donald Trump to keep the United States in NATO despite severe tensions over the Iran war. But his abrupt move to cut U.S. forces in Germany is ...

4 May

Europeans have been working on ways to convince Donald Trump to stick with in NATO despite tensions over the Iran war. But his abrupt move to cut US forces in Germany is the latest sign that such efforts have their limits and are far from certain to succeed. Analysis with @liliebayer.bsky.social

reuters.comNATO alliance, bruised by Trump, considers end to annual summitsNATO is considering ending its recent practice of holding annual summits, six sources told Reuters, a move that could avoid a potentially tense encounter with U.S. President Donald Trump in his final...

28 Apr

Summit less to worry about? ICYMI, one more push for our story: NATO is considering ending its recent practice of holding annual summits - which could avoid a final tense encounter with Donald Trump in his last ‌year in office. Ankara summit goes ahead in July as planned… (1/2)

28 Apr

NATO leaders have already said they’ll meet in Albania after that - that could be in autumn 2027, already slowing down recent rhythm. Then possibly no summit in 2028. No decision yet but all under serious consideration. With @humeyrapamuk.bsky.social & @liliebayer.bsky.social

reut.rsNATO alliance, bruised by Trump, considers end to annual summitsNATO is considering ending its recent practice of holding annual summits, six sources told Reuters, a move that could avoid a potentially tense encounter with U.S. President Donald Trump in his final...

27 Apr

New from Reuters: NATO is considering ending its recent practice of holding annual summits, six sources told Reuters — a move that could avoid a potentially tense encounter with President Trump in his final ‌year in office. Story from @humeyrapamuk.bsky.social, me and @liliebayer.bsky.social

24 Apr

Interesting day for NATO to post this guide to how it takes decisions.

reuters.comEU leaders to discuss mutual assistance pact amid NATO doubtsEuropean Union leaders will discuss the bloc's mutual assistance clause at a summit in Cyprus on Thursday, as U.S. President Donald Trump's criticism of traditional allies raises concerns over his co...

23 Apr

Hi from sunny Cyprus, where EU leaders will discuss their mutual assistance pact, the snappily named Article 42.7. Tricky for EU. Many feel discussion needed, given Trump’s questioning of NATO’s commitment. But no one wants to signal they’re ready to go it alone. @liliebayer.bsky.social explains:

20 Apr

Board of Europe?

Gerardo Fortuna@gerardofortuna.bsky.social

Can't wait to see what the new name of the European Commission will be. Any thoughts?

13 Apr

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has compared Viktor Orban's electoral defeat to Hungarian uprisings against Soviet communism. "I really want to say to the Hungarian people: You've done it again. Against all odds. Like you did in 1956 when you couragerously stood up." (1/2)

13 Apr

"Like you did it in ... 1989, when you were the first to cut the barbed wire that was dividing our continent," von der Leyen said in Brussels today. (2/2)

reuters.comTrump's anger over Iran thrusts NATO into fresh crisisThe 76-year-old alliance has in recent years survived existential challenges, ranging from the war in Ukraine to pressure and insults from Trump. But it is the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran that has near...

3 Apr

From our story on the NATO crisis triggered by the Iran war: Trump's comments have provoked unprecedented concern that the U.S. will not come to the aid of European allies should they be attacked, whether or not Washington formally walks away.

brusselstimes.comA city within a city: The secret life of Brussels' Résidence PalaceThe iconic Résidence Palace marks its centenary this year – a Jazz Age experiment in luxury living that helped reshape Brussels long before the EU arrived.

22 Mar

Super piece on the rich history of Brussels' Résidence Palace by @goodclimate.bsky.social

reuters.comEU leaders vent anger after Hungary's Orban keeps blocking Ukraine loanEuropean Union leaders failed to convince Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Thursday to lift his blockade on a 90-billion-euro ($103 billion) EU loan to help Ukraine keep up its fight against ...

20 Mar

To lift his block on the big Ukraine loan: Hungarian PM Viktor Orban not only wants Russian oil flowing again through a war-damaged pipeline - but also a guarantee it won't stop. EU summit chair Antonio Costa said only Russia could give such a guarantee. Story with @liliebayer.bsky.social

reuters.comExclusive: EU's Kallas rejects Belgian PM's call to normalise Moscow ties, get cheap Russian energyEuropean Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas pushed back on Tuesday against a call by Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever to normalise ‌relations with Moscow and regain access to cheap Russian en...

One more from my interview with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas today: Kallas pushes back against a call by Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever to normalise ‌relations with Moscow and regain access to cheap Russian energy. www.reuters.com/world/europe...

My interview with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas: - calls on U.S. and Israel to end their war with Iran - says EU is consulting with governments in Middle East about how ‌to bring conflict to a conclusion www.reuters.com/world/europe...

reuters.comreuters.com

reuters.comExclusive: EU foreign policy chief Kallas calls on US, Israel to end Iran warEuropean Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called on the United States and Israel on Tuesday to end their war with Iran and said the EU was consulting with governments in the Middle East about h...

Correct link: www.reuters.com/world/europe...

My interview with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas: - calls on U.E. and Israel on Tuesday to end their war with Iran - says EU is consulting with governments in Middle East about how ‌to bring conflict to a conclusion www.reuters.com/world/europe...

reuters.comExclusive: No talk of triggering NATO's Article 5 over Turkey missile shoot-down, Rutte saysNATO does not plan to trigger its Article 5 mutual defence clause over the shooting down of a ballistic missile headed for Turkey, Secretary General Mark Rutte told Reuters on Thursday, amid fears the...

⚡Short thread with main stories from my interview with NATO boss Mark Rutte today: NATO does not plan to trigger its Article 5 mutual defence clause over the shooting down of a ballistic missile headed for Turkey, Rutte says, amid fears the alliance could become embroiled in U.S.-Iran war. (1/4)

View full thread

reuters.comExclusive: NATO's Rutte 'not deaf' to criticism of his Trump praise, offers moreNATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said on Thursday he was "not deaf" to criticism that he goes overboard in praising Donald Trump but argued the U.S. president ‌deserved it.

Rutte says he’s "not deaf" to criticism that he goes overboard in praising Donald Trump but argues the U.S. president ‌deserves it. Also offers praise for Spain’s contribution to NATO, despite spat with Trump over U.S. bases and defence spending. (3/4)

reuters.comHighlights of NATO chief's interview with ReutersNATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told Reuters on Thursday the alliance was vigilant and ready to defend every inch of its territory after Iran fired a ballistic missile towards NATO member Turkey.

Key quotes – on Iran, Ukraine and more - below. A big Reuters’ team effort behind this. Huge thanks to all the text and visuals colleagues who did so much of the hard work. (4/4)

reuters.comNATO's Rutte backs Macron's nuclear revamp but says US umbrella is ultimate guaranteeNATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Thursday welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron's pledge to expand his country's nuclear deterrent but said the U.S. nuclear umbrella would remain the ultimate...

Rutte welcomes Emmanuel Macron's pledge to expand France's nuclear deterrent but says the U.S. nuclear umbrella will remain the ultimate guarantor of European security. (2/4)

reuters.comExclusive: NATO's Rutte does not see need to invoke Art. 5 after missile incidentThe shooting down of a ballistic missile headed for Turkey by NATO air defences does not provide immediate reason to trigger ‌the alliance's Article 5 mutual defence clause, its Secretary General Mar...

Spoke to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte today. First story below, more to come.

reuters.comEuropean capitals push back as Ukraine seeks fast-track EU membershipUkraine’s push for a fast track into the European Union as part of any peace deal has hit stiff resistance from EU governments, who do not want to open the Pandora’s box of problems that they fear a ...

3 Mar

Ukraine’s push for a fast track into the European Union as part of any peace deal has hit stiff resistance from EU governments, who don't want to open the Pandora’s box of problems they fear a quick accession would ‌unleash. New from @liliebayer.bsky.social, me and Kyiv bureau chief Daniel Flynn

reuters.comHungary's Orban asks EU to go verify Druzhba pipeline damageHungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Wednesday asked the EU for a "fact-finding mission" to assess damage to the Druzhba oil pipeline in Ukraine, and suggested this could help unblock new EU fundi...

26 Feb

Latest from Reuters' @kateabnett.bsky.social: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has asked the EU for a "fact-finding mission" to assess damage to the Druzhba oil pipeline in Ukraine, and suggested this could help unblock new EU funding for Kyiv, a letter seen by Reuters showed.