Zelenskyy joins EU leaders’ assembly over €800bn defence plan after Macron’s stark Russia warning – Europe dwell

The Kremlin has provided its feedback on final evening’s handle by the French president Emmanuel Macron in the previous couple of minutes, saying that his phrases have been “extremely confrontational.”

“The feeling is that France wants the war to continue,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed.

He additionally stated Russian president Vladimir Putin agreed with US state secretary Marco Rubio’s view that the invasion of Ukraine was “a proxy war” between the US, serving to Ukraine, and Russia, which “needs to come to an end.”

“We can and want to agree with it, and we agree with it. That’s the way it is. We have said this repeatedly. We have said that this is actually a conflict between Russia and the collective West. And the main country of the collective West is the United States of America,” Peskov stated of Rubio’s remarks.

“So it is absolutely in line with the position that our president and foreign minister have repeatedly expressed. We have said this repeatedly, and yes, we agree that it is time to stop this conflict and this war,” he added.

Individually, Russian overseas minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Macron’s feedback on increasing the safety of France’s nuclear arsenal to different European international locations posed a risk to Russia.

“If he considers us a threat, convenes a meeting of the chiefs of general staff of European countries and Britain, says it is necessary to use nuclear weapons, prepares to use nuclear weapons against Russia, this is, of course, a threat,” Lavrov was quoted by state information company RIA as saying.

Lavrov additionally stated that any presence of European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine could be seen because the official involvement of Nato forces within the conflict and Russia would “not allow this to happen.”

Lisa O’Carroll

Irish taoiseach Micheál Martin has stated he gained’t be asking Keir Starmer for tips about the way to deal with Donald Trump when he meets him in Washington subsequent week.

“I won’t be seeking advice,” he instructed reporters in Liverpool reiterating his view that it’s his job to work with individuals of all political hues.

“In respect of any other meetings I have this week or next week in the US and elsewhere, people come to the table with different perspectives.”

Eire, Britain to work on facilitating nearer commerce ties regardless of Brexit

Lisa O’Carroll

The Irish prime minister Micheál Martin has stated he’ll do “anything” to facilitate better commerce ties between the UK and Eire and the remainder of the EU together with a discount of obstacles brought on by Brexit the place attainable.

He was talking after a gathering with the British prime minister Keir Starmer on the way in which right into a summit between the 2 international locations in Liverpool this morning.

It’s a particularly essential relationship for Eire and when the UK economic system does properly, the Irish economic system does properly.

So so far as we’re involved it is a joint effort and endeavour and in that context, as I’ve stated to the Prime Minister, something we are able to do to facilitate better concord and entry to the EU markets the higher by way of items and providers.

Or, to place it one other method, cut back obstacles if that’s attainable.

Starmer stated the “reset” of relations with Eire and the remainder of the EU was the “obvious and right thing to do” however harassed he stays against rejoining the customs union and the only market.

The 2 met enterprise leaders at a breakfast assembly this morning with Eire saying £185m new investments within the UK together with a mushroom manufacturing facility whose enterprise promoting into UK supermarkets was disrupted by Brexit.

UK-Irish summit will get below method in Liverpool

Lisa O’Carroll

UK prime minister Keir Starmer and Irish prime minister Micheál Martin are assembly in Liverpool for the primary of an annual British Irish summit established by the British premier in a bid to reset relations after the disastrous Brexit years.

The summit, which kicks off at 10am, and can contain delegations of ministers from either side, and can concentrate on vitality, schooling, migration and the discount of Brexit commerce obstacles the place attainable.

However the wider disaster brought on by Donald Trump in Ukraine and the specter of a commerce conflict with the EU will likely be a significant distraction with Martin heading to Brussels for a second summit, an emergency assembly of EU leaders to debate Ukraine later at the moment.

Martin meets Donald Trump subsequent Wednesday as a part of the St Patrick’s Day celebrations, a gathering but to be afforded European Fee chief Ursula von der Leyen.

Talking to reporters in Liverpool final evening, he stated he will likely be “respectful” at subsequent week’s Oval Workplace assembly

“People come to the table with different perspectives. I respect people. I respect the offices that people hold,” he stated.

Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre has been talking within the nation’s parliament in the previous couple of minutes, saying plans to “significantly” enhance spending to assist Ukraine defend itself.

He warned that the nation was dealing with “the most serious security situation … since the second world war.”

In a wide-ranging speech, he spoke of difficulties in participating with the brand new US administration below Donald Trump, and related uncertainty about its intentions – however inisted that he hoped to proceed present cooperation with Washington.

He was significantly involved about “disheartening” scenes within the Oval Workplace final week, and any potential divide between European allies and the US.

Addressing the US administration, he stated he shared their want to achieve a peace deal, and harassed that “no one wants peace more than Ukraine,” however warned in opposition to “naive” views of Russia.

Støre referred to as the US pause in navy help for Ukraine “very regrettable,” and pointedly praised the UK and France for taking a number one position in European assist for Ukraine.

He stated he would meet with leaders of different events later at the moment to debate the small print, with a plan to suggest broader adjustments by summer time. However he already signalled his assist for sooner navy procurement and manufacturing.

Norway has been dealing with rising criticism from allies over its assist for Ukraine, a lot decrease as a share of GDP than most international locations within the area, in keeping with the Kiel Institute’s Ukraine Assist Tracker.

The prime minister additionally spoke in regards to the want for the Norwegian society to be higher ready for any potential crises, repeating calls to strenghten civilian resilience.

Individually, Støre additionally spoke about his issues about being caught up in a commerce conflict between the US and the EU.

Estonian prime minister Kristen Michal stated that “to reach just and lasting peace, Europe needs to show strength.”

Posting earlier than the EU summit at the moment, he stated in a social media replace that “Ukrainians want Russia’s aggression to end, so does Europe.”

“We must step up military aid to Ukraine, increase pressure on Russia and strengthen European defence,” he added.

What to anticipate from at the moment’s EU summit – 5 issues to be careful for

Jennifer Rankin

Brussels correspondent

EU leaders assembly for an emergency summit in Brussels are anticipated to largely endorse the €800bn “ReArm Europe” plan outlined by European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen earlier this week.

“Europe must become more sovereign, more responsible for its own defence and better equipped to act and deal autonomously with immediate and future challenges and threats,” states the most recent draft conclusions seen by the Guardian.

Von der Leyen proposed a €150bn mortgage scheme to assist member states purchase pan-European capabilities collectively, plus loosening EU fiscal guidelines that can assist governments fund €650bn in potential additional defence spending with out being penalised by the Fee, in addition to different measures.

However that’s not the one subject on the desk.

Listed here are 5 attention-grabbing issues to observe:

• What do EU leaders take into consideration Emmanuel Macron’s proposal to increase France’s nuclear umbrella to different European nations? Germany’s seemingly subsequent chancellor Friedrich Merz can also be on the town for assembly key gamers, though gained’t be on the summit talks.

• Assist for Ukraine. When European Council President António Costa referred to as the summit he promised “we will take decisions on our support for Ukraine”. Forward of the summit EU officers have performed down options there will likely be a quantity for a navy help bundle for Ukraine for 2025 proposed by the EU excessive consultant Kaja Kallas.

• And on that topic… how troublesome will Viktor Orbán be? Hungary is already threatening to veto conclusions on Ukraine that set out the EU’s place and push again in opposition to Donald Trump’s try and make a take care of Vladimir Putin that sidelines Europe, together with Ukraine.

• What the EU’s position in safety ensures for Ukraine is likely to be. Up to now solely France and the UK have stated they might be able to ship troops to Ukraine, however EU leaders are anticipated to debate what position the union may play if any. In idea this could possibly be monetary assist, or organising an EU mission.

Romanian authorities detained six individuals on an alleged organised felony group accusing them of treason and plans to “undermine the sovereignty and independence of the Romanian state,” the nation’s Directorate for the Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism Crimes, or DIICOT, stated.

The group allegedly labored with “agents of a foreign power,” each on territory of Romania and Russia, and was shaped in “a military-type structure” involving a retired main common.

The investigators imagine they carried out secret discussions conspiring to result in Romania’s exit from Nato and “the removal of the constitutional order,” in addition to adjustments to the nation’s identify, flag, and anthem.

Two members of the group are alleged to have travelled to Moscow in January to hunt Russia’s assist for his or her goals.

Polish defence minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated at a joint press convention along with his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov that Poland will proceed to logistically assist Ukraine because it began delivering its forty sixth help bundle, value as much as €200m.

He harassed the relevance of the logistics hub in Rzeszów-Jasionka and persevering with work with Ukrainian troopers, with practically 28,000 skilled in Poland.

“We continue to support Ukraine as we have from the first day of the war, it is incredibly important for us,” he stated.

Kosiniak-Kamysz additionally stated {that a} return to talks between Ukraine and US “gives hope for just peace,” as he stated Poland was a powerful supporter of each “transatlantic relations and increasing European [defence] capabilities.”

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that various overseas help staff have been at a resort in his hometown Kryvyi Rih struck by a Russian missile in a single day.

A minimum of 4 individuals have been useless and greater than 30 injured within the assault, with 14 individuals rescued from rubble.

Zelenskyy stated:

A ballistic missile struck an odd resort. Simply earlier than the assault, volunteers from a humanitarian organisation – residents of Ukraine, america, and the UK – had checked into the resort. They survived as a result of they managed to get down from their rooms in time.

Reporting on the assault, Zelenskyy insisted:

There have to be no pause within the strain on Russia to cease this conflict and terror in opposition to life.

France is providing intelligence to Ukraine, French defence minister Sébastien Lecornu stated on Thursday, with Paris stepping in to assist and fill the void left after the US suspended its intelligence sharing with Kyiv.

Talking to France Inter radio, he additionally stated that president Macron requested him to speed up the French help packages “to compensate” for the suspended US help.

If you happen to marvel what The Guardian makes of Merz’s deficit plans, right here’s our editorial setting our view:

In a famously cautious political tradition, Mr Merz’s bid to bypass authorized restrictions on authorities debt represents a seismic shift. It will allow a step-change in defence spending for years to come back, placing Germany in a management place as Europe seeks strategic autonomy from america.

Mr Merz, a former funding banker, has been a deficit hawk and financial liberal all through his profession. It’s an irony of destiny that it ought to fall to him to problem the debt-aversion that has hobbled Germany’s capacity to react to new geopolitical realities. However the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) chief needs to be congratulated for having the political braveness to learn the indicators of the occasions.

Throughout Europe, poorly performing economies and a scarcity of funding have fuelled mistrust in mainstream politics, and contributed to the harmful rise of the Trumpian far proper. In Germany, the constitutional “debt brake” – in impact a authorized requirement to stability budgets – was initially conceived as a method of defending youthful generations from the implications of dangerous borrowing. In these tumultuous occasions, amid a number of pricey challenges, it has as an alternative grow to be an impediment to investing of their future.

Thursday’s EU summit in Brussels is predicted to license better nationwide spending on defence. However for a brand new period characterised by threats at house and overseas, a sea change within the EU’s general method to debt and deficits, just like that agreed by Mr Merz with the SPD, is required.

Echoing the phrases of the previous European Central Financial institution chief, Mario Draghi, throughout the eurozone disaster, Mr Merz pledged on Tuesday to do “whatever it takes” to guard freedom and peace. He’ll want the assist of the Greens, in addition to the SPD, to push his gamechanging proposals by.

It’s within the overwhelming pursuits of Germany and Europe that he will get it.

I instructed you he was eager to hit the bottom working!

Germany’s presumed subsequent chancellor Friedrich Merz is out of his mattress early this morning and already in conferences, beginning with European Council president António Costa, simply hours earlier than the emergency European Council assembly on Ukraine.

It’s a very good alternative for the 2 leaders to construct rapport and develop work relationship earlier than Merz will get into the Bundeskanzleramt and talk about what the presumed subsequent German chief thinks of most of the concepts to be mentioned by the EU leaders later at the moment – and his proposed (large) funding in defence and infrastructure.

Final evening, Merz additionally met with the European Fee president Ursula von der Leyen, the EU’s overseas coverage chief Kaja Kallas and with Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte.

Morning opening: 5 minutes to midnight

Jakub Krupa

4 days after the London summit on Sunday, European leaders meet once more – this time in Brussels and with a whole line-up, together with each the (very eager) Baltics and the (very a lot not eager) Hungarians and Slovaks – to debate what’s subsequent for Ukraine.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be a part of EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday for a summit to debate an €800bn (£660bn) plan to bolster Europe’s defence business, enhance navy functionality and assist present pressing navy assist for Ukraine.

In a dramatic intervention on Wednesday night, French president Emmanuel Macron warned in a TV handle that Russian aggression wouldn’t cease at Ukraine and was a direct risk to France and Europe.

He additional stated stated he had determined “to open the strategic debate on the protection of our allies on the European continent by our [nuclear] deterrent” however harassed any use of France’s nuclear weapons would stay solely within the fingers of the French president.

Macron stated in his handle: “I want to believe the US will stay by our side. But we have to be ready if that isn’t the case.

“Europe’s future should not be decided in Washington or Moscow, and yes the threat from the east is returning. And the innocence of these 30 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall is over.”

The French president’s transfer is available in response to a push by German election winner Friedrich Merz, who not too long ago referred to as for a dialogue on “nuclear sharing” with France. He isn’t the German chancellor simply but, however will likely be in Brussels this morning too, becoming a member of casual talks with EU leaders. He’s eager to hit the bottom working, as confirmed by his main “bazooka” plan for German defence and infrastructure.

After Macron’s handle, Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to the French president, saying: “Peace must be real, not just a word – it cannot mean Ukraine’s capitulation or collapse. It must be just, reliable, and lasting, and this can only be achieved through strong and long-term security guarantees – for Ukraine, Europe, and the entire world.”

He’ll hope that they will engineer how this might work over a working lunch in Brussels.

European leaders are more and more decided to behave after Donald Trump ordered a pause on all vital US navy help for Ukraine in opposition to Russia, three years into the invasion, following an explosive public confrontation within the Oval Workplace final week with Zelenskyy.

There are some early indicators that the 2 sides are again speaking about subsequent steps, with Zelenskyy saying final evening that “the Ukrainian and American teams began working on an upcoming meeting,” and so they “hope to see some results next week.”

However the EU is now not pleased to belief and assist this course of hope for the perfect. Not any extra.

Regardless of it being some of the annoying cliches in politics, this summit actually does really feel like 5 minutes to midnight.

We are going to deliver you the most recent right here.

It’s Thursday, 6 March 2025, and that is Europe dwell. It’s Jakub Krupa right here.

Good morning.