Moral of the story: In Brussels, whatever anyone tells you, there is never only one game in town.

Just ICYMI last night: European Commission considering a SAFE 2.0…

New: European Commission is considering a sequel to its multi-billion-euro SAFE loans scheme for defence spending. At a Politico event tonight, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said some member states were asking for a second SAFE. EU officials say it's under active consideration.

Analysis ahead of Witkoff-Putin meeting today: However Trump’s latest push to end the war in Ukraine pans out, Europe fears the prospect of a deal – sooner or later – that will not punish or weaken Russia as its leaders had hoped, placing the continent’s security in greater jeopardy.

Worth looking closely at what European leaders say on Ukrainian army limits. Von der Leyen today: "There can be no limitations on Ukraine's armed forces that would leave the country vulnerable to future attacks." Not quite a flat 'no limts', leaves open for discussion how high a cap might be. 1/2

We've published the full text of a European counter-proposal to the U.S. 28-point Ukraine peace plan, seen by Reuters. The document, drafted by Europe's E3 powers of Britain, France and Germany, takes the U.S. plan as its basis but goes through point by point with suggested changes & deletions.

New from us: Europeans have submitted a modified version of the United States' peace plan for Ukraine that pushes back on proposed limits to Kyiv's armed forces and territorial concessions, according to a document seen by Reuters on Sunday. Story below, we'll also publish full text.

EU foreign policy chief @kajakallas.bsky.social sending a very visual message on Ukraine at EU-Indo Pacific ministerial meeting.

Ukraine is showing "remarkable commitment" to joining the EU, but must reverse recent negative trends in the fight against corruption and accelerate rule of law reforms, the European Commission said in a draft text seen by Reuters on Monday.

European leaders' statement on Ukraine: "We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force."

Here's our deep dive into the EU's drone wall (which, as we reported yesterday, is getting a new name). We get into the politics, the technicalities and lessons from Ukraine. A great team effort from Reuters colleagues across Europe. Thanks to them all & everyone who spoke to us.

Updated story: Drone wall is changing. Get ready for EDDI - European Drone Defence Initiative.

Just published on Reuters, from me and @liliebayer.bsky.social : The European Commission has broadened its proposal of a "drone wall" on Europe's eastern flank to suggest a "European Drone Defence Initiative" that would help protect the whole continent, two EU officials and an EU diplomat said.

3 observations from 2 days of European summits in Copenhagen: 1. Proposal to use Russian frozen assets for a big loan to Ukraine has legs. Won’t be easy to get over the line. Belgian PM De Wever gave punchy warnings of dangers and difficulties. But a lot of leaders want to push ahead.

Good morning from Copenhagen, where EU leaders meet in the midst of drone anxiety. On the agenda: European defence and support for Ukraine. European Commission says it has answers - 'drone wall' and a big loan to Kyiv using frozen Russian assets. But both pose many questions. Our preview:

Happy 70th birthday to the BBC's From Our Own Correspondent radio show. I had the pleasure of contributing a few pieces some years back. This is the online magazine version of my favourite - the BBC called the episode "The Smell of History". www.bbc.com/news/magazin...

NATO warns Russia to stop 'escalatory' actions after Estonian airspace violation Story with @liliebayer.bsky.social

Spoke to EU defence commissioner @andriuskubilius.ec.europa.eu, who plans a videoconference next week on creating 'drone wall' on eastern border. "We want really to move ahead with very, very intensive and effective preparations to start to fill this gap, which is really very dangerous for us."

After its aircraft intercepted drones in Polish airspace overnight, NATO sought to reassure citizens that everything had gone as it should. But analysts say the incident raised questions about why the drones were able to enter NATO airspace and the alliance's ability to deter such threats.

Another dispatch from Copenhagen: EU won't confiscate frozen Russian assets for now - but will look at how to use them to help Ukraine after war. Kallas says it's "unthinkable that Russia will ever see this money again unless it fully compensates Ukraine".

"If you don't have a unified voice ... on this topic, we don't have a voice on the global scene. So that's definitely very problematic." European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on EU divisions on Gaza. My report from Copenhagen:

EU foreign policy...

New: European Commissioners are discussing today a proposal to partially suspend Israel's access to the EU's Horizon research funding program following calls from EU governments to increase pressure on Israel over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Interesting reaction from @eucopresident.consilium.europa.eu to US-EU trade deal. He welcomes it but adds this: "Let’s build on this outcome by further strengthening the EU’s competitiveness and expanding our global trade network."

U.S. and EU agree deal imposing a 15% U.S. import tariff on most EU goods but averting trade war between two of the world's biggest economies.

"We'll probably know in about an hour. Shouldn't take that long," Trump says on prospects of an EU-US trade deal with Ursula von der Leyen.

Back in my homeland as Donald Trump and Ursula von der Leyen try to seal a US-EU trade deal. Latest story here, with top colleagues: www.reuters.com/business/tru... Keep an eye on @reuters.com for news and analysis from the meeting.

Emmanuel Macron's announcement that France will recognise a Palestinian state in September has caused diplomatic ructions from the Middle East through Europe to Washington. But it did not come out of the blue. Inside story from top team @irishjreuters.bsky.social & @michelrose.bsky.social

EU's Kaja Kallas welcomes Trump plan for NATO allies to buy US arms for Ukraine - but wishes US would "share burden". "If we pay for these weapons, it's our support ... If you promise to give the weapons, but say that somebody else ... is going to pay for it, it's not really given by you, is it?"

ICYMI, our story from yesterday afternoon: EU diplomatic service has outlined options for political action against Israel over human rights concerns, in a document seen by Reuters. (Whether the EU is willing to pursue any of them will be clearer after a foreign ministers’ meeting on Tuesday.)

One more spin for our analysis from NATO's summit in The Hague. 👉 NATO's Trump flattery buys time but dodges tough questions - www.reuters.com/business/aer...

All of NATO, including US, 'totally committed' to keeping Ukraine in the fight, NATO boss Mark Rutte told me after the Hague summit.

Our analysis of NATO's Hague summit: Lavishing praise, playing the royal card and copying his slogans – NATO pulled out all the stops to keep Donald Trump happy and hold the alliance together. The strategy paid off - but largely avoided vital issues that NATO will have to confront down the line.

NATO Hague summit need to know from Team Reuters: Main story below 👇 Defence spending explainer: www.reuters.com/business/aer... Rutte profile: www.reuters.com/world/europe...

Greetings from The Hague. NATO aims keep the alliance together at a summit here by keeping Donald Trump happy. That means agreeing a big new defence spending goal. But Spain says it doesn't have to meet the target. And US military strikes on Iran add more uncertainty into the mix. Preview 👇

Exclusive from @irishjreuters.bsky.social & @humeyrapamuk.bsky.social U.S. urges governments around the world not to attend U.N. conference on a possible two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, co-hosted by France & Saudi Arabia.

NATO’s summit plan to keep Donald Trump happy: short summit & statement avoid clash with Zelenskiy, who may only get dinner invite back Trump call for 5% of GDP on defence (3.5% on ‘traditional’ defence, 1.5% on other security-related items) W/ @sasilink.bsky.social & @liliebayer.bsky.social

Following our story last week that Trump had told NATO he would nominate a new Supreme Allied Commander Europe: NATO’s North Atlantic Council has approved the nomination of Lieutenant General Alexus G. Grynkewich. www.nato.int/cps/en/natoh...

New from Reuters: Donald Trump has told NATO allies he'll nominate a new Supreme Allied Commander Europe, quelling fears he might relinquish a key post that also symbolises US commitment to Europe's defence. Scoop from @phildstewart.bsky.social, me, @idreesali114.bsky.social @sasilink.bsky.social

Scoop from @sasilink.bsky.social! NATO will ask Germany to provide seven more brigades - or some 40,000 troops - to defend the alliance, three sources told Reuters, under new targets that defence ministers are set to agree on next week. www.reuters.com/business/aer...

State of the Union: Delirious. Royal Union Saint Gilloise @rusg.bsky.social are champions of Belgium again after 90 years. Normal service will resume on this feed tomorrow.

25 years ago, Kurt and Associated Press cameraman Miguel Gil Moreno de Mora were shot in a military ambush in Sierra Leone. Shortly afterwards, the #KSMF was set up to pay lasting tribute to his memory and to keep the world aware of the debt we owe every day to brave journalists.

Pro tip for anyone planning sweeping "state of Europe" takes based on various elections today: Wait for the results.

Some clear words from new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the European Political Community summit in Tirana: "We have to undertake all efforts what we can to keep the Americans on our side. We cannot substitute or replace what the Americans still do for us in Europe."

Good morning from the European Political Community summit in Tirana. Ukraine likely the main subject as some 50 leaders gather here. Let's see how chatty they are on the way in with this weather.

Looking forward to being back in the Balkans for the European Political Community summit in Tirana. Do say hello if you'll be there too. Also looking forward to seeing how many senior EU officials will be joining me on the Ryanair flight from Charleroi to get there!

Dutch PM Dick Schoof confirms our scoop on NATO boss Mark Rutte's defence spending proposal, and adds a new detail: the timeline. Per Schoof, Rutte proposes 3.5% of GDP on defence, plus 1.5% on broader security-related spending like cyber and infrastructure. Deadline: 2032 H/t @vreij.bsky.social

Some very different takes on Merz's remarks on eurobonds for defence in Brussels today. Some reckon he said "nein", others (like me) think he left the door open. Partly because he spoke a bit differently on the same topic in two different pressers. But also a matter of interpretation... (1/3)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says he's more optimistic about NATO today than he was in February. Back then, he questioned whether NATO would even exist in its current form by the time of the Hague summit in June. Now he says Trump admin has recognised Europe is stepping up on defence.

Just ICYMI, our story from Friday afternoon NATO chief Mark Rutte has proposed a new defence spending goal: 3.5% of GDP + 1.5% on broader security-related spending = Donald Trump’s demand for a 5% target From @liliebayer.bsky.social & me 👇