Europe may need to defend itself after being heavily reliant on the US for years, following Donald Trump's criticism of other NATO countries "freeloading" on the US. European leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer and French President Macron, are working with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to develop a plan to end hostilities, which will be presented to the White House for approval. To demonstrate their commitment, Sir Keir has pledged to increase UK defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by redirecting funds from foreign aid and has secured £3.86 billion in support for Ukraine. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for European rearmament, while Britain and France have offered to contribute troops and aircraft to enforce any peace agreement.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-14453401/Security-Europe-crossroads.htmlNATO faces a significant challenge in mobilizing its member states for a potential war against Russia due to the lack of readiness and funding. Currently, only 23 of 32 NATO countries meet the 2% GDP defense spending target, while Russia spends 6.7%. The US has tens of thousands of troops stationed in Europe, but their withdrawal would severely impact European defenses. Experts warn that Europe needs a more substantial nuclear deterrent to deter Putin, with some suggesting they need to match Russia's 1,550 strategic warheads.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14455243/Will-Zelensky-quit-Trump-row-Ukraine-survive-without-US-aid-Putin-invade-Europe-America-abandons-NATO-key-questions-White-House-showdown.htmlUS President Donald Trump's administration is pushing for an "America First" stance, with momentum towards isolating European allies who fail to meet NATO's two per cent defence spending target. This has led to concerns that the US may pull out of the alliance and has been echoed by Trump's advisor Elon Musk, who called for the US to leave NATO. Republican congressman Thomas Massie also expressed a similar view, describing NATO as a "Cold War relic". Ukraine's President Zelensky has attempted to mend ties with the US by expressing gratitude for assistance and openness to signing a mineral deal proposed by Trump, but Russia remains hesitant to engage in talks.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14455219/Trump-Europe-transatlantic-salvo-US-migrant-rape-gangs-drug-lords-Putin.htmlUS officials have discussed potential military support for a European peacekeeping mission, with Washington offering air cover, intelligence, and surveillance capabilities in exchange for a commitment from European allies to deter Russian aggression under President Vladimir Putin's leadership.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40350897/coalition-of-the-willing-to-present-ukraine-peace-plan-to-us-starmerChina is practicing "gunboat diplomacy" by conducting unannounced live-fire exercises near Taiwan, Australia, and New Zealand. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has established zones for shooting drills roughly 40 nautical miles off the coasts of Kaohsiung and Pingtung County without prior notification to Taiwan. This is seen as a reaction to recent military and diplomatic moves concerning the US, including a joint naval exercise with Japan and France in the Philippine Sea. The PLA's actions aim to convey political messages to nations and beyond, demonstrating its capacity to obstruct US military intervention in matters related to Taiwan from the western and southern Pacific.
https://www.lokmattimes.com/international/china-engages-in-gunboat-diplomacy-with-sudden-military-drills-near-taiwan-australia-and-new-zealand/The European Commission will receive a mandate from the European Council to establish requirements for a common defense strategy at its meeting in Brussels on March 6. This move aims to strengthen EU defense cooperation and create a unified approach to security challenges, potentially paving the way for a more coordinated response to global threats.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3965992-macron-ready-to-open-discussion-on-european-nuclear-umbrella.htmlUK Prime Minister Starmer's return from Washington led to a collapse in the peace conversation when US Vice President JD Vance criticized Ukrainian President Zelenskyy for questioning Trump's assertion that Russia could be trusted. UK Director-General of the Royal United Services Institute, Rachel Ellehuus, stated that Starmer made an impressive statement on Europe's relevance in the Ukraine war and effectively communicated to Trump that Europe is willing and capable of taking a leadership role in implementing any credible peace agreement. However, Ellehuus expressed disappointment with the White House meeting on Friday, saying the US can no longer rely on military or political support for Ukraine after Trump declared neutrality in negotiations. Ellehuus suggested Europe could release €200 billion (approximately $207 billion) in frozen Russian assets to help finance the effort. UK Prime Minister Starmer committed to increasing military spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, with other European countries potentially following suit. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala warned that Europe faces a historic test and must prioritize its own defense, aiming for at least 3% of GDP in military spending. French President Macron also called for increased defense spending, emphasizing the need for unity among European neighbors, saying "we should have woken up earlier."
https://apnews.com/article/eeuu-europa-reino-unido-cumbre-londres-ucrania-9b9377154f1d1013ee1d908be8f4a1aeEuropean countries, including Germany's Friedrich Merz, are seeking to diversify their military ties amid concerns that NATO may become defunct due to the US' more conciliatory approach to Russia. In a bid to strengthen Europe and achieve independence from the US, Germany aims to boost defense spending. This week, European leaders will meet in London to discuss Ukraine and explore ways to work as mediators between the US and Ukraine, with France, the UK, and Italy signaling their willingness to take on this role. The discussions will focus on a new defense spending tool and measures to loosen fiscal rules and encourage banks to lend for defense projects.
https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-needs-defense-investment-spending-hundreds-billions-emmanuel-macron/Ambassador Ali Sarwar Naqvi, Pakistan's former ambassador to the IAEA and Executive Director of CISS, has called for strengthening the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to address issues eroding its credibility. He emphasized that the treaty must be based on universally applied rules, non-discriminatory, and address security concerns of all countries to maintain legitimacy. Naqvi highlighted the selective application of the NPT, which allows exemptions for some states while imposing sanctions on others, as a major challenge.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1287309-npt-must-address-disparities-to-uphold-legitimacy-experts