Where things stand
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NATO membership remains popular, a GLOBSEC survey of 14 countries finds, with about 77% of respondents in NATO member states saying they would vote to remain in the alliance.1 The same poll found that about 71% of Europeans want the EU to have its own army.1 Jean-Luc Mélenchon's 2027 presidential platform, unveiled at Le Bourget on Saturday, 7 November, proposes leaving NATO in stages, starting with the integrated military command.2 On 10 November 2026 Portugal's foreign ministry rebuked Mark Rutte, the NATO Secretary General, after he described Russia as a distant threat on Dutch television.3 After drones hit two ships off Bulgaria's coast on 13 October, Rutte said NATO had already strengthened its eastern flank presence.4
- 15h ago
Zelensky says US floated NATO membership for Ukraine in exchange for leaving Donbas
Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters in Kyiv on Friday, 13 November, that US peace envoys asked whether Ukraine would give up Donbas to Russia in return for NATO membership. He said any such deal would have to be put to Ukrainians.
- 2d ago
GLOBSEC poll: 71% of Europeans back an EU army; Germany alone sees US as majority threat
A GLOBSEC survey of 14 countries finds strong support for a European army across member states, while most respondents still want to remain in NATO.
- 2d ago
Romania offers to share costs of US troops; defence minister disputes 15,000 euro figure
President Nicușor Dan confirmed in a Financial Times interview that Romania offered to help cover the cost of US soldiers stationed on its territory, following a similar proposal from Poland.
- 3d ago
Helsing unveils Clarity, a German AI military platform to rival Palantir's Maven
Munich-based defence start-up Helsing presented Clarity on Wednesday, 11 November, pitching it to European armed forces as a sovereign alternative to US software from Palantir. Co-CEO Gundbert Scherf said the battlefield now suffers from an excess of information rather than a shortage.
- 4d ago
Russia-linked Turla hackers targeted a Romanian government institution, SRI says
The Romanian Intelligence Service says it stopped the attack in December 2025, restored the affected email service and found no sensitive data was taken. It names the Russian actor APT TURLA as responsible.
- 4d ago
Spain approves 11.86 billion euros in defence contracts for air defence, submarines and ships
Thirteen contracts worth 11,860,333,249.78 euros were authorised on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, led by a 3,396.7 million euro air defence system. The package also funds S-80 submarines, NH90 helicopters, Navy ships and anti-drone systems.
- 4d ago
US Army Lt. Col. Brandon Tyner held in UK over suspected spying for Russia
Lt. Col. Brandon Tyner, a 41-year-old senior human resources officer, was arrested near Gloucester on Tuesday, 10 November, on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service. Two US officials expect British charges on Sunday, 15 November, or Monday, 16 November, and say no information reached Moscow.
- 4d ago
Portugal's foreign ministry rebukes NATO chief Rutte over Russia threat remarks
Portugal's foreign ministry, led by Paulo Rangel, said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte spoke too lightly about Lisbon's position after he described Russia as a distant threat on a Dutch television programme.
- 5d ago
Romania accuses Russia of hybrid warfare as von der Leyen calls for Ukraine ceasefire
Von der Leyen tied any European security talks to a Ukraine ceasefire in Bucharest, while US-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi are set for Tuesday and Wednesday.
- 5d ago
PNL gives rebel liberals 10 days to drop court challenges or leave parliamentary groups
The National Liberal Party has given members who sued it over the 21 June congress decisions until 18 November 2026 to withdraw their lawsuits or leave the parliamentary groups.
- Nov 6
Mélenchon pledges NATO exit and a 1,700-euro minimum wage at Le Bourget rally
Jean-Luc Mélenchon unveiled his platform for the 2027 presidential election before more than 20,000 supporters at Le Bourget on Saturday, 7 November, promising a gradual NATO exit and higher taxes on companies and the wealthy.
- Nov 6
Lithuania's Nausėda says Putin is testing NATO and sees no peace talks before spring
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda does not consider a conventional Russian attack on NATO territory likely for now, but expects Putin's provocations to continue. He told WELT that Moscow has no serious intention of starting negotiations before spring, while Estonia's prime minister urged sanctions rather than talks.
- Nov 5
NATO launches online purchasing platform for anti-drone systems from five suppliers
Allies can now order anti-drone capabilities through the alliance, with 16 contracts signed with five defence firms and delivery promised within 90 to 100 days, against the 9 to 12 months a contract normally takes.
- Nov 5
Meloni urges one EU voice on Ukraine talks and a negotiator by December
Meloni wrote to European Council President Antonio Costa on 5 November, arguing that overlapping formats are weakening Europe's role in the Ukraine talks. Costa said he would address the request at the informal European Council in Dublin.
- Nov 3
Brussels to host Ukraine, US and European talks on postwar reconstruction on 4 November
The European Commission will host representatives of Ukraine, the United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, NATO and the World Bank on 4 November, with US attendance still unconfirmed.
- Nov 3
Russia confirms US-brokered talks with Ukraine in Abu Dhabi on 10-11 November
Vladimir Medinsky, an adviser to Vladimir Putin, will head Moscow's delegation to the three-way round, which the United States will mediate at technical level. Kyiv had not yet endorsed the announcement.
- Nov 2
Russian spy ship Viktor Leonov tracked NATO drills off Scotland, UK sends Merlin helicopters
The UK Ministry of Defence said a Russian intelligence ship monitored NATO warships during the Strike Warrior exercise off Scotland, and Royal Navy Merlin helicopters were sent to follow it.
- Oct 31
Syria weighs joining Mecca defence pact as Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia continue
Foreign minister Asaad al-Shaibani said on Saturday, 31 October 2026, that Damascus is evaluating entry into the pact that Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed in August. The move could draw another country into the kingdom's conflict with the Iran-backed Houthis.
- Oct 25
Romanian defence minister urges vigilance on Army Day as Black Sea risks grow
Defence Minister Ştefan Radu Oprea said on Sunday, 25 October, that threats linked to Russia's war against Ukraine and risks in the Black Sea region require stronger prevention and response capacity. His message marked Romania's Army Day.
- Oct 25
British and French paratroopers drop over Germany in 2,500-troop Rhino Titan drill
Exercise Rhino Titan, a seven-week wargame at the Sennelager training centre in Germany, involved about 2,500 troops, including 600 British and French paratroopers dropped from four RAF transport aircraft.
