International Relations NewsFeed

April 2, 2025

MEPs Back NATO-EU Security Cooperation on Ukraine

European Parliament members welcome efforts by like-minded NATO partners and the European Council's March 2025 conclusions, which emphasize EU and member state contributions to security guarantees for Ukraine. They stress the need for close coordination with NATO on deterrence and defense capabilities, as well as a strengthened European pillar within the alliance. MEPs also advocate for a European Defence Union that complements EU-NATO cooperation, while urging the Commission to raise common debt to bolster the EU's fiscal capacity in crisis situations.

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20250331IPR27551/the-eu-must-defend-its-interests-on-the-global-stage

April 2, 2025

NATO Chief Warns Europe to Boost Defense Efforts

NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg has urged European countries to "step up" their defense efforts as the US shifts its focus towards Asia, amid growing concerns over China's military expansion in the region. The comments come ahead of a NATO summit in Brussels, where leaders will discuss strategies for countering Chinese influence and strengthening alliances with Asian nations.

https://www.livemint.com/politics/news/nato-chief-urges-europe-to-step-up-as-us-turns-toward-asia-11743609813341.html

April 2, 2025

NATO Officials Warn Trump Over Alliance Disengagement Threats

Nato officials are urging US President Donald Trump to remain engaged with the alliance despite his administration's recent actions in Europe and Ukraine. However, Western diplomats worry that even if Trump stays on board, the alliance may be compromised due to his aggressive stance towards Russia and underfunding of European defense spending.

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/americas/nato-presses-to-keep-trump-on-board-but-is-he-hobbling-alliance-2

April 2, 2025

NATO Urged to Boost Defense Spending Amid Tensions

NATO diplomats are feeling nervous ahead of a crucial meeting in The Hague this week, where European allies will be urged by Secretary-General Mark Rutte to increase defense spending and burden sharing. US Senator Marco Rubio is expected to push for this, as well as reconfirm the US commitment to NATO's Article 5 mutual defense clause. However, some European allies are hesitant due to economic struggles, and tensions with the EU over defense spending and trade are high. The meeting comes ahead of a June summit in The Hague, where the alliance will aim to keep its members united on defense spending. Tensions with Russia and Ukraine's ongoing conflict are also expected to be discussed, with US President Donald Trump potentially increasing pressure on Moscow if cease-fire deals aren't holding.

https://www.rferl.org/a/brussels-foreign-ministers-rubio-nato/33365613.html

April 2, 2025

Navarro Warns of Tariff-Driven Global Trade War

US Trade Adviser Navarro warned that Trump's planned tariffs could generate $600 billion in annual revenue over 10 years, but risk sparking a global trade war. Other countries have vowed retaliation, while economists fear the move could fuel inflation and trigger an economic downturn.

https://www.rawstory.com/trump-says-us-tariffs-to-hit-all-countries/

April 2, 2025

Norway's Trade Commissioner Faces EU Ambassadors

Norway's Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič will meet EU ambassadors on Friday to discuss the next steps ahead of a Luxembourg meeting, amid tensions following Finland's decision to withdraw from the landmine treaty. The move comes as US President Trump announced a 25% tariff on foreign-made cars, set to take effect on Wednesday, and follows an unproductive meeting between Šefčovič and US trade officials last week.

https://www.firstpost.com/world/there-would-be-two-responses-eu-plans-countermeasures-to-trumps-tariffs-13876696.html

April 2, 2025

Rubio Warns EU on Excluding US Defense Contractors

US Senator Rubio plans to discuss with EU officials during his visit to Brussels this week that excluding US companies from EU weapons procurements would be seen as inappropriate, according to a State Department official. The official stated that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has raised this point and will continue to do so. Trump's administration welcomes European efforts to strengthen defense capabilities but warns against creating barriers that exclude US companies from participating in European defense projects, emphasizing the importance of transatlantic defense industrial cooperation for NATO's strength.

https://www.gulftoday.ae/opinion/2025/04/02/us-objects-to-european-push-to-buy-arms-locally

April 2, 2025

Russian Envoy Seeks Meeting with US Counterpart Wiktoff

Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev may visit the US this week to meet with American envoy Steve Wiktoff, according to a Kremlin announcement.

https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/961297-moscow-speaks-putin-s-envoy-may-visit-the-white-house-this-week

April 2, 2025

Russian Envoy to Meet US Developer Witkoff

Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev may visit the US this week, meeting with Steve Witkoff, amid efforts to strengthen bilateral relations. The trip comes after the US temporarily lifted sanctions on Dmitriev, allowing him to obtain a US visa. Dmitriev, who heads Russia's Direct Investment Fund, previously discussed cooperation on Arctic development and rare earth metals projects with billionaire Elon Musk. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the visit, stating that discussions are ongoing through various channels.

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/04/02/putin-envoy-dmitriev-may-visit-us-this-week-kremlin-confirms-a88576