Correspondence by Dan Alexe // "Peace imposed by force": summit in Paris; France takes over the leadership of the coalition for Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron will host leaders of the Coalition of the Willing on Thursday, March 27. The Paris meeting will focus on short-term military support for Kiev and long-term security guarantees "that the armies of European countries can offer," Macron said.

Correspondence by Dan Alexe // Ukraine: behind-the-scenes negotiations and doubts about reaching a truce by Easter

Russian and Ukrainian officials are set to discuss ending the war during US-brokered talks in Saudi Arabia. It is already known that delegations from Moscow and Kiev will speak to US officials in separate rooms, with talks with Ukraine starting as early as Sunday. However, the Kremlin, whose representatives are due to start talks on Monday, is playing down expectations for a quick resolution to the conflict, warning that “difficult negotiations” lie ahead.

EU summit: Strengthening security, supporting Ukraine

An exceptional European summit was held in Brussels yesterday, concluding late last night, focusing on EU security and the current situation in Ukraine.

EU foreign ministers discuss defense and Ukraine military aid

The EU foreign ministers gathered yesterday in Brussels to discuss the defense of the continent, ahead of new proposals from the Commission that will be presented on Wednesday, just before the Thursday summit on March 20.

Correspondence by Dan Alexe // European Parliament adopts funds for the Republic of Moldova

On Tuesday, March 11, the European Parliament voted to grant final approval for a €1.9 billion Growth Plan for the Republic of Moldova, marking the largest EU support package ever provided to the country. The decision was made with 499 votes in favor, 117 against, and 44 abstentions. This funding will enable Moldova to continue its reforms, strengthen its institutions, and modernize its infrastructure.

Correspondence by Dan Alexe // European defense discussed in Paris and Strasbourg

A meeting of the military chiefs from European countries willing to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine is scheduled for Tuesday, March 11, in Paris, at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. The meeting will focus on the potential future deployment of European forces in Ukraine. These troops are intended not to engage in frontline combat but to ensure the full respect of a peace agreement once it is reached. Notably, the meeting will also include representatives from the UK, which, although no longer part of the EU, remains the second nuclear power on the European continent.

Correspondence by Dan Alexe // EU-Ukraine Summit: "European awakening" and the war path is avoided for now

Emmanuel Macron referred to the outcomes of the EU summit held on Thursday, March 6, in Brussels as a “European awakening.” As agreed upon earlier, the European leaders present decided to continue their military aid to Ukraine, although this decision was made without the explicit support of Viktor Orbán's Hungary. Of the 27 EU member states, 26 signed the final statement, committing to maintaining military assistance for Ukraine, even following the U.S. withdrawal announced by Donald Trump.

EU summit in Brussels: Europe’s unwavering commitment to Ukraine

An exceptional EU summit is being held today in Brussels, where the 27 EU member states aim to send a strong message to Putin’s Russia: even if Trump’s America withdraws its support for Kiev, Europe will not abandon Ukraine.

Correspondence Dan Alexe // How Macron "set the bar very high" for Trump, and Keir Starmer can't match him

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will arrive in Washington today for talks with Donald Trump, and some British officials fear that Emmanuel Macron “set the bar so high” in his visit to the White House on Monday that Starmer will struggle to match him. Combining flattery with detached politeness and affectionate irony, the French president presented Trump with his plan for European security and the defence of Ukraine. The success was so great and unexpected that, in a Europe in the throes of crisis, the French president is on his way to become the leader the continent needs.

Could NATO’s future be at risk? Merz calls for European defense shift

The alarm was raised immediately after the elections in Germany, when Friedrich Merz, whose center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) secured the highest vote share, warned that NATO could be nearing its end and that Europe must be prepared to establish a military alliance independent of the United States.

Trump’s refusal to invite Europe to Ukraine peace talks raises tensions

Following the Munich Security Conference, which underscored the growing rift between Washington and the European Union, France convened a mini-European summit on Monday, February 17.

NATO summit 2025: U.S. stance on Ukraine and defense spending

NATO defense ministers are convening in Brussels on Thursday, February 13, for their first meeting of the year. The gathering, which began on Wednesday, February 12, is drawing significant attention to newly appointed U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.