Poland and Sweden hold first bilateral military drills in Baltic Poland and Sweden have launched their first bilateral military exercises, with the aim of “sending a clear signal of deterrence and readiness for joint defence” of the Baltic Sea.

Brushing off UK and France, Israel moves to ensure Palestinian state ‘will not happen’ Israel is doubling down on settlements and hardline ministers are calling for an annexation of the West Bank.

EU steps up ‘drone wall’ talks after Russian incursions A new round of discussions will involve seven bloc nations, Ukraine and the European Commission.

Moldovan cops raid suspected Russian-backed meddlers before election Moldovan police conducted massive raids Monday across the country targeting people suspected of preparing Russia-backed disorder.

France said it’s fully committed to reaching a “mutually acceptable solution” with Germany and Spain this year on the next phase of the Future Combat Air System, as prospects for the next-generation fighter project remain troubled amid infighting amongst the industrial partners.

Workers have completed the main excavation of the Brenner Base Tunnel between Austria and Italy, set to become the world’s longest underground rail link. The project is a key part of the EU’s push to shift freight from road to rail, cutting pollution and boosting European trade.

Hungary: Massive protest held in Budapest against state-funded propaganda campaigns Tens of thousands gathered to speak up against the government spending taxpayers’ money on campaigns which incite hatred, mislead voters and divide the society.

Western powers recognise Palestinian state, drawing Israeli fury Britain, Australia, Canada and Portugal recognised Palestine on Sunday, a historic shift in Western policy that angered Israel. Palestinians in Gaza hailed it as a victory, while Netanyahu vowed a Palestinian state would never exist.

EU aims to ‘Le Pen proof’ its budget with swift deal by 2026 Fast-tracking talks would shield the next budget from a possible win by the far right in France.

German and Swedish fighter jets track Russian plane over Baltic Sea German and Swedish fighter jets were scrambled on Sunday to intercept and monitor a Russian surveillance aircraft operating unannounced over the Baltic Sea, military officials have confirmed.

Canada, UK, Australia Formally Recognize Palestinian State Canada, the UK and Australia have formally recognized a Palestinian state, aligning themselves with European allies and pushing ahead with a policy that has drawn criticism from US President Donald Trump. (https://archive.ph/lS16U)

EU to block Big Tech from new financial data sharing system Big Tech groups are losing a political battle in Brussels to gain access to the EU’s financial data market, despite Donald Trump’s threats to punish countries that “discriminate” against US companies with higher tariffs.

Some Europeans Fear Trump Aides Want a Far-Right Takeover The continent’s leaders have concerns that U.S. officials are pushing for parties that support their views of nationalism and traditional values to come into power.

Portugal confirms it will recognise Palestinian state Portugal says it will recognise a Palestinian state on Sunday, making it the latest Western nation preparing to shift policy as the war in the Gaza Strip shows no sign of stopping.

Poland’s culture minister calls for Eurovision boycott if Israel participates Poland’s culture minister has said that she hopes her country will not participate in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is permitted to take part.

European countries must be ready to fight Russia as part of security guarantees for Ukraine, says Finland’s president The Finnish leader said new security guarantees being discussed could see European countries engage militarily with Russia

The U.S. Is Quietly Pausing Some Arms Sales to Europe As part of the “America First” agenda, the Department of Defense is stockpiling weapons.

Trump has declared war on the transgender community, leaving Americans to seek asylum — from America Escalating anti-trans laws and rising violence under Trump are pushing a growing number of transgender Americans to seek asylum in Europe, especially the Netherlands.

The European Parliament rapporteur is wrong about the digital euro The European Parliament’s rapporteur on the digital euro file is parroting the banking lobby’s claim that a digital euro would trigger bank runs and cripple lending — this is just not the case.

After a very slow start, Europe’s reusable rocket program shows signs of life ArianeGroup has integrated the Themis reusable-rocket prototype on a Swedish pad and will begin low-altitude landing tests late this year or early next.

The European Union’s proposed sanctions banning Russian liquefied natural gas by the end of next year are the latest sign that it is leaving no stone unturned in accelerating its exit from energy reliance on Moscow, according to the bloc’s energy chief. (https://archive.ph/ej6oP)

Russian warplanes breach NATO airspace over Estonia Russian MiG-31s flew into Estonian airspace and approached Tallinn before Italian jets were scrambled to intercept them.

EU’s Russia Clampdown to Hit Third-Country Oil Refiners, Traders The European Union’s next round of sanctions against Russia will target large parts of the global oil industry as the bloc looks to intensify pressure on the Kremlin’s access to petrodollars. (https://archive.ph/WOXdZ)

Spain’s Sánchez backs Germany in FCAS fighter jet dispute with France France, Germany and Spain are partners in the €100 billion fighter jet programme, though Spain and its lead contractor Indra have so far stayed out of the Franco-German dispute

Europe, Canada, Saudi Arabia poke at Trump with Palestinian statehood France and others frustrated with U.S. inaction on Israel have few options to reorient the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians

EU Mulls Phasing Out Russian LNG a Year Earlier Than Planned The European Union is considering measures to accelerate the bloc’s phaseout of Russian liquefied natural gas a year earlier than planned, according to people familiar with the matter. (https://archive.ph/SJRUT)

Austria’s Finance Minister Sees Gradual Path to Joint EU Debt The European Union is inching toward issuing joint debt to help fund investments needed to improve its economy, according to Austria’s finance minister. (https://archive.ph/1ENcp)

Israel readies furious response to Macron’s Palestinian statehood push France is expected to recognize a Palestinian state on Monday at the United Nations General Assembly.

America Is No Longer a Safe Haven for the Russian Opposition ICE is deporting asylum seekers into the arms of Putin’s secret police. (https://archive.ph/rnYpE)

Starmer prepares to recognize Palestinian state before UN summit The U.K. is due to press ahead Sunday with recognition of a Palestinian state before making a formal declaration at the United Nations on Monday, according to three people briefed on the plans.

'Tax the rich': Hundreds of thousands in France protest austerity Hundreds of rallies and a united union front marked France’s biggest mobilisation in years, targeting austerity plans and testing Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu

Ukraine and Poland sign agreement to cooperate on drone warfare Ukraine and Poland have signed an agreement to set up a joint working group to share experience and expertise in drone warfare. The development comes a week after an unprecedented violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones.

Italy now considered as reliable as France on financial markets For the first time, the gap in interest rates between the government debts of the two countries fell to zero on Thursday: a clear sign of investor caution regarding France's public debt.

Denmark to field long-range strike weapons in bid to deter attacks The Danish government has decided the country needs long-range strike weapons to strengthen its deterrence posture as well as the collective deterrence of NATO, based on a recommendation from Chief of Defence Gen. Michael Hyldgaard.

EU Set to Propose New Russia Sanctions as Soon as This Week The European Union is planning to present member states with its latest package of proposed sanctions on Russia as early as Friday. (https://archive.ph/tiQZy)

Eurovision: Countries to boycott if Israel competes Ireland, Slovenia, the Netherlands, Iceland, and Spain have announced to boycott the event if Israel participates.

Over 800,000 expected to join French protests against budget cuts Unions launch a nationwide general strike to protest sweeping budget cuts, testing the new French prime minister’s resolve amid warnings of unrest and mass disruption

More global buyers are rejecting Americans

UK warship to be largely built in Spain Navantia, the Spanish state-owned defence company, said that much of construction of the first of three ships it is delivering for the Royal Navy will take place in Spain rather than Britain, a change in its previous plans for the £1.6bn contract.

EU to Start Talks With UK, Canada on €150 Billion Fund European Union member states approved negotiations with Canada and the UK that would give them access to the bloc’s €150 billion ($178 billion) fund aimed at accelerating investment in the defense industry. (https://archive.ph/LRlcX)

India, EU close to free trade deal amid US tariffs turmoil A free trade agreement between the EU and India seems to be nearing the finish line. With the uncertainty over US tariffs, experts say both stand to gain from concluding the deal by the end of the year.

EU unveils plan to hit Israel with tariffs, sanctions amid Gaza war outcry European Commission moves to get tough on Israel

Germany Backs Further Use of Frozen Russian Assets for Ukraine Momentum is building in Europe to expand the use of frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine, following new pressure from US president Donald Trump and a shift in Germany’s stance. (https://archive.ph/LPP4f)

Defence and security policies could become the backbone of a new partnership between India and the EU, according to the new EU-India strategy. The document is to be presented on Wednesday by the EU Commission in view of the signature of a €150-billion free trade agreement.

Romania’s far-right former presidential candidate charged with coup plot Călin Georgescu tried to organize a revolt in Bucharest, prosecutors allege.

EU and Indonesia agree trade deal Brussels and Jakarta to sign pact next week as they seek to reduce reliance on US (https://archive.ph/JQfTs)

Dutch Boost Defense Spending to €27 Billion After NATO Pledge The Netherlands will boost its defense budget next year to €27 billion ($32 billion), as the country works toward meeting NATO’s new goal of spending 5% of gross domestic product on security by 2035. (https://archive.ph/oCJVd)

EU Commission to propose Israel sanctions on Wednesday The European Commission will propose punitive measures against Israel on Wednesday, in a bid to pressure Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to change course over the war in Gaza.

Report claims thousands of children taken from Ukraine to be ‘re-educated’ by Russia The US report found over 200 sites where children have reportedly been taken by Russia

Brussels green-lights German spending spree The Commission welcomed Berlin’s decision to boost military expenditure and create a €500 billion infrastructure fund