Tag: defence
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A Court as a clerk for the defence of an accused murderer
Yesterday’s Court reporting about the ongoing trial of Yorgen Fenech, accused of commissioning the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, and details of the testimony of the Prosecution’s witness were marred and disrupted by technical points raised by the accused’s defence. These included points of law about the jurors having news headlines accessible on their…
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First disbursement of EU loan to Ukraine in June: EU considering contributing mission to UNIFIL
Earlier today, EU Defence Ministers meeting at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels discussed the possibility of sending an EU mission with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), whose mandate expires at the end of 2026. EU ministers expressed support for extending UNIFIL’s mandate while also discussing the possibility of the EU contributing…
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Ukraine becomes a military and defence partner of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states: President Trump insults the Saudi Crown Prince
Ukraine has become a major defence and military partner of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States after Ukraine was called by the leaders of the regional countries to help set-up air-defences against the Iranian Shahed drones. Ukraine has extensive experience shooting down these drones and will be providing its expertise and technology to Saudi Arabia,…
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Stubb counters Sanchez on NATO defence spending: Spanish Premier against newly announced European nuclear deterrent
In a discussion held today at the Munich Security Conference, Finnish President Alexander Stubb chided the Spanish Prime Minister over his position on defence spending. President Stubb countered the Spanish Prime Minister’s explanation for refusing to raise his country’s defence, even implying that Spain is a defence consumer rather than a defence provider. Prime Minister…
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EU Defence Commissioner calls for more united defence strategy: stops short of calling for a European Army
EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius spoke at European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg yesterday and urged for a more cohesive and unified European defence policy. He quoted Mario Draghi about the importance of unified procurement in the EU and how this should also be applied to defence. He also urged Europe to increase its defence…
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President Macron rattles his sabre, but is Europe feared by its enemies?
French President Emmanuel Macron gave a very defiant speech to the French Armed Forces yesterday saying that “To remain free, one must be feared. To be feared, one must be powerful.” He also remarked that France is stepping up in support of Ukraine as it fills the gap left by the US in terms of…
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Russia supports the US National Strategic Security Strategy
The Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council Dimitry Medvedev has praised the US National Security Strategy as a positive step in comments he made publicly. Medvedev said that the the US security strategy agrees with what Russia has been saying that security in Europe “should be shared with Russia”. The Under-Secretary of War Elbridge Colby…
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Russia to reduce defence budget amid rising economic pressures
The Russian government is estimating it will rake in up to 41 trillion Roubles in revenues ($516 billion) and spend up to 44 trillion Roubles ($570 billion) with a defence budget of up to 13 trillion Roubles ($157 billion). Russia’s defence budget for next year will be slightly lower than this year which was at…
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EU announces Military Schengen: €100 billion to address gaps in European-military corridors
The European Union has announced its plans to implement a Military Schengen in Europe as part of the Military Mobility Package announced today. NATO’s mobility plans across Europe are outdated and overlaid by bureaucratic processes and the EU is currently addressing this security gap. 4 military corridors have been identified in Europe with up to…
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The EU provides funds for the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine
In a press conference earlier today in Kyiv with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, the EU’s High Representative Kaja Kallas has announced that the EU will provide up to €10 million to the Special Tribunal for the Crimes of Aggression against Ukraine. The EU Deputy-Commissioner President also highlighted that the EU will be providing €2…
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President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola hails increasing defence spending but appeals for integrated efforts
In the capital of Lativa, Riga, the President of the European Parliament applauded Europe’s increasing defence expenditure to strengthen Europe’s security, however she also appealed for more integrated efforts in defence spending to increase efficiency and cut costs. She added that the European parliament is working on legislation to incentivise economies of scale that will…
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Internal policy discussions on defence and neutrality have renewed inside the Labour Party
This is not to present any glimmer of hope that the Labour Party has begun its road to the Enlightenment. However, I can confirm from various sources that the leadership and top officials of the Labour Party have renewed their internal discussion on neutrality and defence following the incident of “Conscience” outside the Maltese coast.…