Governments, elections, EU geopolitics
EU defence ministers gathered at the Justus Lipsius building in Brussels on Tuesday 12 May 2026 for the Foreign Affairs Council (Defence), chaired by High Representative Kaja Kallas. Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov joined the meeting via videolink, alongside NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska, for an informal exchange on Russia’s war of aggression and…
US President Donald Trump publicly rejected Iran’s response to Washington’s latest peace proposal in two consecutive social-media posts on Sunday 10 May 2026, calling it “TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!” on Truth Social before returning to the issue on Monday 11 May to dismiss it as “garbage” and declare the ceasefire “on life support”. What Iran demanded Tehran’s…
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer delivered what Westminster watchers described as a make-or-break speech at the Coin Street Community Centre in London on Monday 11 May 2026, fighting for his political survival after his Labour Party’s catastrophic performance in the local elections of 7 May. The damage: 1,100 seats, Wales lost, Reform surges The…
EU foreign ministers gathered at the Justus Lipsius building in Brussels on Monday 11 May 2026 for a Foreign Affairs Council chaired by High Representative Kaja Kallas, with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha joining the meeting for an informal exchange of views on the war and on a fresh wave of measures targeting Russia. Sybiha…
On 6 May 2026 the European Commission adopted the first-ever EU Anti-Poverty Strategy, with Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu pledging to eradicate poverty in 25 years. The package targets 93 million Europeans at risk of poverty, including 20 million children, with at least €100 billion earmarked in the next EU budget.
On 9 May 2026, Vladimir Putin shifted his public stance, declaring readiness to meet Volodymyr Zelensky in a third country provided a long-term peace agreement is finalised first, during a Kremlin press conference following Victory Day commemorations.
EU foreign ministers adopt new sanctions targeting officials involved in deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. Von der Leyen has repeatedly cited ‘thousands of Ukrainian children’ allegedly transferred during the conflict, though Russian sources dispute the scale.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas arrived in Chișinău 7 May 2026 and announced a doubling of EU annual financial assistance to Moldova by €120 million through the European Peace Facility. The move accelerates Moldova’s defense and security alignment.
The Pentagon announces it will withdraw roughly 5,000 troops from Germany, with Italy and Spain potentially next. German Defense Minister Pistorius calls the move ‘anticipated’ but warns Europe must shoulder more burden of its own defense.
Ursula von der Leyen and Kaja Kallas warn EU must adapt to a ‘chaotic, coercive world order’ as Iran war reshapes geopolitics. Commission president argues ‘Europe can no longer be a custodian for the old world order’.