DefenceTalkThe Council of European Union on Monday, April 29 extended a ban on selling arms to Myanmar and prolonged sanctions against high-ranking officials over their role in the Rohingya crisis. The measures, which include an embargo on weapons and other equipment that could be used for repression, will stay in place until at least April […]https://www.defencetalk.com/eu-extends-myanmar-arms-sales-embargo-72287/

DefenceTalkUS concerns over the EU’s landmark defence cooperation pact and increasingly strained relations between Washington and Turkey look set to loom large as NATO defence ministers meet for talks on Wednesday. The US and Ankara, two of the transatlantic alliance’s most important members, are at loggerheads over Turkey’s military offensive in northern Syria, which US […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-concerns-over-eu-defence-pact-cloud-nato-meet-71469/

DefenceTalkThe EU unveiled on Monday a raft of new joint defence projects including submarine drones and cyber attack rapid response teams as it launched a landmark pact on boosting military cooperation. Twenty-five countries — all of the EU member states except Denmark, Malta and Britain, which is leaving the bloc — have signed up for […]https://www.defencetalk.com/eu-launches-defence-pact-with-submarine-drones-70997/

DefenceTalkThe majority of EU nations have committed to a joint defense cooperation, focusing on military operations and investments. Europe is looking to cement unity, especially since Brexit and the election of Donald Trump. Defense and foreign ministers from 23 European Union countries signed up to a plan to establish the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), which […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pesco-eu-paves-way-to-defense-union-70802/

DefenceTalkThe EU will move towards closer defence ties Monday with more than 20 states signing a landmark pact that aims to boost cooperation after Brexit and counteract Russian pressure. Similar efforts to deepen military links have been frustrated for decades, partly by Britain’s fierce opposition to anything that might lead to a European army. But […]https://www.defencetalk.com/eu-takes-step-towards-closer-defence-cooperation-70770/

DefenceTalkHoping for the best, fearing the worst: EU and NATO leaders are braced for their first meeting with US President Donald Trump on their home turf on Thursday. The trepidation in Brussels, a city Trump once dubbed a dangerous “hellhole,” is palpable as he has up-ended one long-held certainty about US ties after another. On […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nato-and-eu-wonder-which-trump-will-turn-up-70010/

DefenceTalkBritish Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on Monday downplayed differences with EU partners over the bloc’s military ambitions, saying London supported their efforts to bolster defence cooperation. Reports on Friday put Brexit-bound Britain in the dock for blocking the launch of an EU military headquarters because it opposed any suggestion the unit should have an active […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uks-johnson-plays-down-eu-spat-over-military-hq-69962/

DefenceTalkThe EU unveiled ambitious plans Wednesday to boost joint defence spending including on shared assets like drones and helicopters, as concerns grow that President-elect Donald Trump may downgrade the US security commitment. Trump shocked long-time NATO allies in Europe when he suggested on the campaign trail be would think twice about coming to their aid […]https://www.defencetalk.com/eu-to-boost-joint-defence-spending-68633/

DefenceTalkEuropean Union foreign ministers insisted on Sunday they expected good relations with Donald Trump, after a crisis meeting that Britain, France and Hungary snubbed in a move that exposed rifts over the US president-elect. The ministers said they wanted more details about Republican Trump’s plans following his shock election win, which has sparked anxiety in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/eu-ministers-seek-strong-partnership-with-trump-68580/

DefenceTalkFrance can take the lead in European defence cooperation, but cannot do it all on its own, French President Francois Hollande said Friday as EU leaders held crunch post-Brexit talks. “France is making the main effort on European defence but it cannot be alone and does not want to be alone,” Hollande said as he […]https://www.defencetalk.com/hollande-says-france-cannot-be-alone-on-eu-defence-68190/