DefenceTalkAn overwhelming majority of Danes, almost 67 percent, voted Wednesday in favour of joining the EU’s common defense policy 30 years after opting out, results showed with 100 percent of ballots counted. The vote comes on the heels of neighboring Finland and Sweden’s historic applications for NATO membership, as the war in Ukraine forces countries […]https://www.defencetalk.com/danes-say-yes-to-joining-eu-common-defense-policy-78873/

DefenceTalkTraditionally eurosceptic Denmark began voting Wednesday in a referendum on whether to overturn its opt-out on the EU’s common defence policy after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The vote comes on the heels of neighboring Finland’s and Sweden’s historic applications for NATO membership, as the Ukraine war forces countries in Europe to rethink their security policies. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/danes-begin-voting-on-joining-eus-common-defence-policy-78860/

DefenceTalkEU foreign ministers are on Monday to discuss a sixth round of sanctions on Moscow for its war in Ukraine but the bloc remains divided over a ban on Russian gas and oil imports. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said during a visit to Kyiv on Friday that the EU was now engaged […]https://www.defencetalk.com/eu-to-discuss-sixth-round-of-sanctions-on-russia-78657/

DefenceTalkEuropean Council chief Charles Michel on Thursday backed a proposal to release an additional 500 million euros ($540 million) to provide arms for Ukraine. “Once swiftly approved this will bring to 1.5 billion euros the EU support already provided for military equipment for #Ukraine,” Michel tweeted, also thanking EU diplomatic chief Josep Borrell for proposing […]https://www.defencetalk.com/eu-proposes-500-million-euros-more-for-arms-to-ukraine-78645/

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/

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/

DefenceTalkThe EU warned Monday that Belarus could start hosting Russian nuclear weapons after a “very dangerous” decision at a referendum to drop the country’s non-nuclear status. “We know what does it mean for Belarus to be nuclear. It means that Russia will put nuclear weapons in Belarus and this is a very dangerous path,” EU […]https://www.defencetalk.com/eu-warns-belarus-opening-door-to-russian-nukes-after-vote-78169/

DefenceTalkEU foreign ministers on Sunday will look at helping Ukraine against the Russian offensive by discussing the funding of “lethal material” and supplies such as fuel, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said. Their emergency meeting, by video link, will also examine additional EU sanctions announced overnight by European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/eu-ministers-to-discuss-helping-ukraine-with-weapons-supplies-78140/

DefenceTalkUkraine, sandwiched between Russia and the European Union, has since independence in 1991 been torn between its former Soviet master Moscow and the Western institutions it wants to join. Here is an overview: Independence and nuclear arsenal scrapped In December 1991, Ukraine votes in favour of independence from the Soviet Union in a referendum. Russian […]https://www.defencetalk.com/ukraine-torn-between-russia-and-the-west-78078/

DefenceTalkPresident Emmanuel Macron vowed Thursday France would work towards a strong and “sovereign” European Union when it takes over the bloc’s rotating presidency that coincides with France’s presidential election. Macron, a centrist who portrays himself as a champion of democracy against populism, may aim to use the six-month EU mandate to fill the gap in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/macron-lays-out-agenda-for-powerful-sovereign-eu-77576/