DefenceTalkEU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Wednesday pledged the bloc’s “unwavering commitment” to Bosnia’s stability while visiting European peacekeeping troops who were heavily reinforced after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Borrell stressed however that the troop increase in Bosnia is a “precautionary measure” in the wake of the February 24 invasion and secessionist threats made […]https://www.defencetalk.com/eu-committed-to-bosnias-stability-amid-ukraine-war-78424/

DefenceTalkAustralia will boost its defence forces by some 30 percent by 2040, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Thursday, describing it as the country’s largest military build-up in peacetime. The force would grow by 18,500 personnel to 80,000 over the 18-year period, at a cost of some Aus$38 billion (US$27 billion), the prime minister said at […]https://www.defencetalk.com/australia-to-boost-defence-force-by-nearly-a-third-78371/

DefenceTalkSweden’s government announced plans Thursday for a major boost in military spending to two percent of GDP “as soon as possible”, citing the security threat from Russia’s war in Ukraine. Sweden, which ended decades of defence cuts after Moscow’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, said it hoped to reach its goal within a decade but gave […]https://www.defencetalk.com/sweden-to-raise-military-spending-over-ukraine-war-78368/

DefenceTalkThe Indo-Pacific region remains the priority theater for the Defense Department, and China remains the pacing challenge for the U.S. military, Ely Ratner, assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific Affairs, said today. The United States is a Pacific power and works with allies and partners throughout the Indo-Pacific to uphold the free and open regional […]https://www.defencetalk.com/defense-official-says-indo-pacific-is-the-priority-theater-china-is-dods-pacing-challenge-78362/

DefenceTalkNon NATO-members Sweden and Finland are counting on the European Union’s mutual defence clause in the event of a military attack, Sweden’s prime minister said Tuesday amid heightened tensions between Russia and the West. Ahead of a summit of EU leaders in Versailles on Thursday and Friday, the two countries wrote a joint letter to […]https://www.defencetalk.com/sweden-finland-remind-eu-of-mutual-defence-clause-78335/

DefenceTalkDenmark’s PM called on Sunday for citizens to vote to overturn its opt-out from EU defence policy in a referendum to be held June 1, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Historic times call for historic decisions,” Mette Frederiksen told a news conference, adding that the government “very clearly calls on Danes to lift the opt-out […]https://www.defencetalk.com/danes-to-vote-on-scrapping-eu-defence-opt-out-78316/

DefenceTalkChina on Thursday denied a report it asked Russia to delay its invasion of Ukraine until after the Beijing Winter Olympics, as international scrutiny grows of warming ties between the two powers. Beijing has taken a cautious line over the actions of its close ally and President Xi Jinping held a meeting last month with […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-denies-asking-russia-to-delay-invasion-until-after-olympics-78258/

DefenceTalkFinland’s president called on Thursday for the country to remain calm while deciding whether to apply to join NATO as a defence against potential Russian aggression. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has sparked a debate in Finland over whether the militarily non-aligned country should join NATO, with a recent poll showing majority support for membership for […]https://www.defencetalk.com/finnish-president-urges-cool-head-over-nato-question-78255/

DefenceTalkDemocratic countries must not “turn a blind eye to military aggression”, Taiwan’s leader said Wednesday, warning her island faces threats similar to those confronted by Ukraine at a meeting with a delegation of former US security officials. The delegation, led by ex-chairman of the joint chiefs of staff and retired admiral Michael Mullen, arrived in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/taiwan-leader-warns-against-turning-a-blind-eye-to-aggression-78224/

DefenceTalkThe Kremlin said Wednesday that a Russian delegation was ready to continue peace talks with Ukraine as Moscow’s invasion of the pro-Western country entered its seventh day. “Our delegation will be ready to continue talks,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, adding that Moscow’s delegation expected the talks to resume Wednesday evening. He said that President […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-ready-to-continue-talks-with-ukraine-wednesday-evening-kremlin-78210/