Closing summary
… and on that note, it’s a wrap!
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Britain’s support for Ukraine saved “thousands of people’s lives” from Russian strikes, as he called for further assistance and stricter sanctions on Russia (17:46).
But Hungary and Slovakia said they would oppose the latest, 18th round of EU sanctions on Russia (13:15). EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said that EU officials were “working on this to get this package through” (17:07).
During a brief visit ahead of the Nato summit starting tomorrow, Zelenskyy met King Charles III at Windsor (15:43) and the British prime minister, Keir Starmer, in London (17:26).
Elsewhere,
Spain has defended its push to get additional flexibilities when it comes to the implementation of the Nato’s new 5% defence spending target, pointing to their focus on “capability targets,” and not the money (11:33, 16:55).
Other countries also suggested they would want to explore some flexibilities, including Belgium (12:14) and Slovakia (18:50).
But Nato’s secretary general Mark Rutte appeared to be less keen, saying there would be “no opt-outs” or “side deals” (16:53) and questioning Spain’s explanations as to what level of spending will be needed to meet its obligations towards the alliance (15:31).
Addressing media before this week’s Nato summit in the Netherlands, Rutte said the 5% GDP defence spending target to be adopted at this week’s alliance summit in the Hague, the Netherlands will be a “quantum leap” change “that is ambitious, historic and fundamental to securing our future” (15:25).
In other stories,
German chancellor Friedrich Merz has criticised the European Union’s approach to trade negotiations with the United States in the first split in the bloc over the way to eliminate tariffs and a potential trade war (17:56).
EU foreign ministers agreed on a push to improve the humanitarian situation on the ground in the Gaza Strip, criticising Israel for breaching the Article 2 of the EU-Israel association agreement (17:16).
And that’s all from me, Jakub Krupa, for today.
For more updates on the Middle East crisis, follow our live blog with the latest reports as Iran says it has attacked US forces in Qatar:
If you have any tips, comments or suggestions, email me at jakub.krupa@theguardian.com.
I am also on Bluesky at @jakubkrupa.bsky.social and on X at @jakubkrupa.
Oh, and it feels relevant to note that it’s the ninth anniversary of the 2016 Brexit referendum today.
I know, NINTH.
Time flies when you’re having fun, right?
…
RIGHT?
Round-up of national reactions to Nato's 5% target
Let me briefly come back to the new Nato 5% target and the confusion surrounding Spain. (11:33, 15:31, 16:53, 16:55).
In the last few hours we have heard from a number of other countries as they publicly stated their position on the target, so let’s give you a quick roundup here.
Germany:
Germany plans to raise its defence budget to 3.5 percent of GDP over the next five years, government sources told AFP, which would match a new Nato target for core military spending.
Defence spending will increase from 2.4 percent of gross domestic product this year, the sources said, as Europe’s top economy takes steps to bolster its armed forces due to the growing threat from Russia and under pressure from US president Donald Trump.
The extra military outlays have been made possible after Chancellor Friedrich Merz pushed changes to Germany’s strict “debt brake” through parliament that largely exempt defence spending from the rules, AFP noted.
Italy:
Italy will fully comply with a new Nato spending target of 5% of gross domestic product on defence and security, prime minister Giorgia Meloni said in comments reported by Reuters.
“These are important commitments that Italy intends to honour. We will not leave our country weak and unable to defend itself,” Meloni told lawmakers ahead of EU and Nato summits.
Meloni said Italy had reached the old NATO 2% of GDP target this year, adding it would have 10 years until 2035 to increase the defence spending by a further 1.5 percentage points, AFP reported.
Slovakia:
Slovakia has to reserve the right to decide how fast to raise spending towards Nato’s new targets for 2035 and any increase in outlays next year will go to dual-use projects like roads and hospitals, prime minister Robert Fico said.
Reuters reported that Fico said:
“Slovakia has other priorities than armament in the coming years, at a time of healing public budgets and catching up with the average EU living standard …
“Slovakia must, similar to Spain, reserve the sovereign right to decide at what pace and in what structure it is prepared to increase the Defence Ministry budget with the aim of achieving the NATO target in 2035.”
Fico’s comments come just days after he suggested Slovakia would benefit from becoming a neutral country, and opening the prospect of leaving Nato.
EU wants 'standstill clause' to guard industries from Trump surprises, trade commissioner says
The EU is demanding a “standstill clause” in any trade deal with the US to guard industries against any future threats by Donald Trump to improve tariffs on exports from the bloc during this four year term.
European trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič told the Berlin conference of the German industry association BDI, that talks were now centring on general tariff levels, sectoral tariffs and an insurance policy to protect against Trump whims.
“I think it would be clearly desirable that we would come back to the reasonable level of tariffs, that we would have some kind of stand still clause, which would kind of prevent a surprise about the sudden spikes and volatility,” he said.
The EU had initially spent time going through more than 1,000 tariff lines with the US to “create an avenue” for proper negotiations, after the US initially insisted its proposed 20% reciprocal tariff against the average 2.5% tariff the EU charges on US imports.
His remarks came just hours after the German prime minister, Friedrich Merz, told the same conference that the EU’s approach to negotiations was too complicated (17:56).
Šefčovič said unity in approach was paramount and the EU was “ready to fight tooth and nail” for the EU’s interests.
But he added: “If I have one wish, one wish here, it is “talk to us, criticise us, but support us”.
As the Oslo event wraps up with an entertaining sales pitch from Macron on why Norway should get French frigates, let’s go back to Lisa O’Carroll as she listened to the EU’s trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič speaking at a trade event in Berlin.
Støre, Macron on strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities
France’s Macron says “there is no framework of legality” when it comes to assessing strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, but he pointedly suggests the focus should be on diplomatic solutions instead.
But Norway’s Støre says the strikes on Iran were in his view “outside the realm of international law.”
“I think international law has some clear principles on the use of force. It can be granted by the Security Council, or it can be in pure self-defence.
So I think that speaks that this is in itself outside the realm of international law.
At the same time, Iran has a nuclear programme that creates great concern. I can appreciate that. But on that specific question, I think this is, this is my answer.”
He goes on to say that “this is not a conflict that can be solved militarily,” and needs to be sorted politically.
Macron also speaks of shared security challenges, reassuring the hosts that France takes them extremely seriously.
Addressing Støre, he says he feels Norway is a country that “shares our concerns” and is determined to respond to the challenges ahead.
Opening the event, Støre says that uncertain times globally call for closer alliances and he even says a few words in French to mark the occassion.
He adds “that never in modern years have Norway and France been closer,” and that they intend to “take that partnership into the modern challenges that we face.”
Responding, Macron repays the compliments and talks about the importance of the relationship in a number of emerging areas, including climate change, decarbonisation and AI.
The Oslo event with Norway’s Jonas Gahr Støre and France’s Emmanuel Macron is now under way.
They are starting it by signing a new partnership between the two countries.
The main deal focuses on “renewable energy, carbon capture and storage, and critical minerals,” according to the government’s note.
There’s also another deal on CO2 storage, to be signed by ministers in their government.
The press conference will follow and I will bring you all the key lines here.
EU's approach to US trade talks 'far too complicated,' German chancellor says
German chancellor Friedrich Merz has criticised the European Union’s approach to trade negotiations with the United States in the first split in the bloc over the way to eliminate tariffs and a potential trade war.
The German prime minister said the negotiations led by the European Commission were “far too complicated”.
Speaking at a conference hosted by the German confederation of industries, BDI, Merz suggested the EU’s efforts should be concentrated on “four or five major industries” including cars, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and machinery.
Germany’s trade relationship with the US in both directions is worth €253bn but it sells more to the US, including cars than it imports, making it, along with Ireland and Belgium which have major pharmaceutical exports to the US, among the most vulnerable in terms of tariffs.
Trump has already imposed a 10% tariff on all exports from the EU and has threatened tariffs of up to 50% on EU exports unless he gets a deal by 9 July.
Last week on his journey back from the G7 summit in Canada, he warned that sectoral tariffs on pharma were coming “very soon”.
Irish finance minister Paschal Donohoe said US pharmaceutical tariffs are a key concern as they could cost thousands of pharma jobs in Ireland.
“The macroeconomic modelling we’ve done for the Irish economy would indicate that there could be approximately 75,000 jobs that could be affected by it across the medium term,” he told a Bloomberg conference in Dublin.
The European trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is talking at the same conference later.
As we’re waiting for Støre and Macron, let’s go to Lisa O’Carroll for an update on German chancellor Friedrich Merz’s address to the German confederation of industries, BDI, on trade.
Norway's Støre, France's Macron to speak to media
Meanwhile in Oslo, we are expecting a joint press conference by the country’s prime minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, and the French president, Emmanuel Macron.
Earlier today, the pair held bilateral talks and are expected to sign a new partnership deal focusing on defence and energy.
Macron’s visit to Norway comes a week after his trip to Greenland, where he criticised US counterpart Donald Trump for threatening to annex the Danish territory, AFP noted.
I will bring you all the key lines from the presser when it begins.
Thousands of lives saved due to Ukrainian-British cooperation, Zelenskyy says
Posting his pictures with Keir Starmer, Zelenskyy also said on social media channels that Britain’s support saved “thousands of people’s lives” from Russian strikes.
“That is the main objective today – to save as many lives as possible. To stop Russian terror. To force Russia to think about peace, not about expanding the war., he said.
In his post, he called for “maximum political and diplomatic coordination,” and closer work on “joint defence projects and weapons production.”
He also reiterated his call to introduce further sanctions on Russia “to make it really impossible to scale up the Russian weapons production.”
He says:
“All companies and individuals engaged in this must be sanctioned – at the very least – in the key jurisdictions of the world.
Currently, most of the companies involved in the production of the “Oreshnik” system are not under sanctions. We will correct that.
Cooperation with Russian weapons manufacturers is a crime against peace.”
Updated
Zelenskyy thanks Britain for 'extremely valuable' support for Ukraine
We are yet to hear from Zelenskyy during his visit in the UK.
But in the meantime he posted two pictures from his meeting with King Charles III on his Telegram, saying:
Audience with King Charles III.
Thank you to His Majesty, the Royal Family and all Britons for your support of our people. This is extremely valuable for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy arrives in London for talks with UK's Starmer
Just as Kallas was speaking in Brussels, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in London to meet the UK prime minister, Keir Starmer.
After a cordial welcome in front of the iconic No10 doors, including a big hug, the pair moved inside for further talks.
Most important task to improve situation on the ground in Gaza, Kallas says
The Guardian’s Jennifer Rankin asks about what specific actions will be taken, prompting the EU’s Kallas to say “our main concern is the humanitarian aid distribution.”
She adds that the air “does not reach people” that need it.
She sidesteps the question on specific measures saying “you can see what are the measures deriving from the association agreement,” and says the key thing is what the member states will be able to agree on.
She adds:
“Right now, the most important thing is to improve the situation on the ground, improve the lives of people in Palestine, and stop the suffering and also human toll that we see there every day clearly.”
Kallas then also gets asked about Georgia, and that concludes the press conference.
Updated
EU will push to improve situation on the ground in Gaza after 'very clear' review on Israel
Asked further about Israel, Kallas says ministers held “a very extensive and intense discussion” on that point and they agreed on the need to improve the situation on the ground in the Gaza strip.
“We will contact Israel to… look how we can improve the situation on the ground, because that is the focus of the member states.”
She says the review was “very clear” that Israel has been breaching the Article 2 of the EU-Israel association agreement and it is necessary to push for “concrete improvements for the people and the lives of people in Gaza.”
“If the situation does not improve, then we can discuss also further measures and come back to this in July,” she says.
Here is the Article 2:
Relations between the Parties, as well as all the provisions of the Agreement itself, shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which guides their internal and international policy and constitutes an essential element of this Agreement.
'Hungary blocking package is nothing new,' Kallas says
EU’s Kallas also got asked about the Hungarian (and Slovak) threat to block the new, 18th round of sanctions against Russia (13:15).
She says that “Hungary blocking a package is nothing new.”
“We have seen this before, so we are working on this to get the package through.
We propose quite strong package, but let’s see what kind of compromises we have to do in order to get everybody on board.”
In her opening statement, EU’s Kallas goes through a number of issues, so let’s cover them briefly.
On Iran, she says “the new war is dangerous development,” as she stressed that “the EU has always said that Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon as it would be a threat to international security.”
But she adds that “military actions are always fraught with risks and uncertainties,” as she says “what matters now is minimising the risk of further escalation.”
She then turns to Ukraine, saying it remains “the top priority,” as she urged countries to “respond by strength” to Russia’s continued aggression.
She also adds a separate warning on Russia’s “hybrid warfare against European countries.”
On China, she notes the country’s role as “the key enabler of Russia’s war against Ukraine,” its “coercive trade practices” and cyber-attacks on European countries, which all “make it increasingly hard to continue as before” in bilateral relations.
On Israel, she says ministers discussed the review of Israel’s compliance under the EU-Israel association agreement, stressing “our first goal is to change the situation on the ground.”
EU's Kallas briefing media after EU meeting
Over in Brussels, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is now briefing the media after today’s EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels.
I will bring you all the key updates here – or you can watch it below.
Updated
Spain's view on Nato target 'flexibility'
According to Spanish government sources, Rutte’s letter to Sánchez has made it quite clear what the position is. The key phrase in all this is “capability target”.
Here’s the Rutte quote in question from the letter:
“I can hereby confirm that the agreement at the upcoming Nato Summit will give Spain the flexibility to determine its own sovereign path for reaching the Capability Target goal and the annual resources necessary as a share of GDP, and to submit its own annual plans.”
The basis of Spain’s argument rests on the word “flexibility” and on the make-up of that 5% proposal. Under Rutte’s proposed scheme, member states would agree to raise defence spending to 3.5% of their GDP and commit a further 1.5% to wider security spending.
The Spanish government sources argue that the 3.5% on core defence spending will actually vary from country to country – eg it will cost some countries more than 3.5% of their GDP to meet the capability target and some less.
They say Spain’s military chiefs have been over all this with a fine-tooth comb and have concluded that Spain can meet the “capability target” and thus fulfil its Nato responsibilities by spending 2.1% of GDP.
The sources point out that Spain has its own defence industry, so, unlike other countries, doesn’t have to pay top dollar when it wants to buy planes or warships, hence that 2.1% figure.
Sánchez referenced that point in a speech yesterday afternoon, saying:
“Consider, for example, that in some countries the average salary of a soldier is three times higher than in other countries that are also Nato members, or that producing or acquiring these defence capabilities in some countries costs half as much as in others.”
The sources stress that Spain isn’t committing to percentages but to the capability target, as per Rutte’s reply letter.
It is worth noting Rutte’s comments that Nato believes Spain must allocate at least 3.5% of its GDP to meet its capability targets, firmly stating there would be “no opt-outs” or “side deals.”
This rhetoric stands in sharp contrast to earlier messaging from Madrid, raising the possibility of emerging tensions or diverging interpretations within the alliance.
Expect this to pop up as an issue again during the actual summit.
In the meantime, let’s go to our correspondent Sam Jones for the latest on Spain’s thinking here.
Rutte's briefing ahead of Nato summit on defence, Ukraine, Iran - summary
Nato secretary general Mark Rutte said the 5% GDP defence spending target to be adopted at this week’s alliance summit in the Hague, the Netherlands will be a “quantum leap” change “that is ambitious, historic and fundamental to securing our future” (15:25).
He said the move was necessary as “there should be no doubt about our ability and resolve to protect our nations and respond with resounding force should we be attacked.”
Rutte said that Russia remained “the most significant and direct threat” to Nato, stressing its growing links with North Korea, Iran, China and Belarus (15:28).
He said that Nato was “absolutely convinced” that Spain would need to spend 3.5% of its GDP on defence to meet its obligations, way above the 2.1% proposed by the country’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez (15:31).
Responding to repeated questions over Spain’s claim it secured special treatment (11:33), Rutte insisted Nato “has no opt outs,” and the alliance “does not know side deals” (15:41).
Nato’s secretary general also reiterated his view that Ukraine was on an “irreversible path” to enter Nato in the future (15:38).
On Iran, he endorsed preventing Iran from getting nuclear capability, and rejected a suggestion that the US strikes the other day were a violation of international law (15:53).
And that’s it for this press conference.
I will post a handy summary shortly.
Updated
Rutte also gets asked about Moldova and the upcoming parliamentary election in the country, with fears it could tip it into what the reporter says “the Russian sphere of influence.”
He says he was “active” helping Moldova in his previous role in the Netherlands, and “I am sure it still continues at Nato,” also pointing to the Romanian interest in making sure Moldova “can defend itself as much as possible against the hybrid threats.”
In a separate exchange, he also highlights the importance of the western Balkans.
He ends saying that Russia is massively investing in its forces, and working ever closer with North Korea, China, Iran to strengthen military presence “to levels we have never ever seen before.”
He says:
“So the international security situation has changed dramatically, and that means that this summit is so important.”
Updated
We should prevent Iran from getting nuclear capability, Rutte says
On Iran, Rutte says that Nato is naturally focusing on the Euro-Atlantic situation, but stresses that “we should prevent, collectively, … make sure, that Iran would not get to a nuclear capability.”
He earlier said it was a “long agreed” position.
Asked if he would endorse a push to change the regime in Iran, he says he “has to restrain myself on commenting” as that’s not his job as Nato secretary general.
“Anything I would now [say], other than what I said to my introductory remarks on Iran, is not helpful. It is deviating from the core issue at hand.”
Asked about his biggest fear about this conflict, he says “my bigger fear would be for Iran to own and be able to use and deploy a nuclear weapon.”
“And that is why Nato has said Iran should not and this is a consistent position of Nato,” he says.
In a passing comment, he also rejects a suggestion that the US attack on Iranian targets was a violation of international law.
Updated
Ukraine's Zelenskyy meets King Charles III at Windsor
As Nato’s Rutte continues to speak, let me bring you these pictures from the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s meeting with King Charles III during his visit to the UK.
I will get back to this topic after Rutte’s presser.
Updated
Spain has no opt out to Nato's spending rules, Rutte says
Uh-oh.
Asked again about Spain again, Rutte declares that Nato “has no opt outs,” and the alliance “does not know side deals.”
He says Spain will make its sovereign decision on how to deliver on its Nato commitments, and annual reports on spending will provide for a mechanism to check how it’s progressing.
The 2029 review will allow the alliance to “take stock, including on the international security situation, whether we might need to increase the amount of spending we need to do as a collective alliance.”
'Irreversible' path for Ukraine to enter Nato, Rutte says
Asked about Ukraine, Rutte repeatedly criticised Russia for its unprovoked aggression on Ukraine.
As he makes this argument, he declares:
This is the reason why I think also last year in Washington, Nato allies agreed that … there’s an irreversible path of Ukraine to enter Nato.
And that is still [true] today and it will still be true on Thursday after this summit.
Nato's reaction to Russian aggression would be 'devastating', Rutte says
Asked about the risk of a Russian aggression on a Nato member, Rutte says that the alliance’s reaction would be “devastating, and Russians know this.”
But he acknowledges the growing concern that “between three, five, seven years from now, Russia will be able to successfully attack us if we do not start investing more today.”
He also mentions other growing threats, not just from Russia, but also China.
Nato 'absolutely convinced' Spain will need 3.5% GDP defence spend to meet obligations
Nato’s Rutte now gets questions about the new 5% and what seems to be like an exemption for Spain.
He says “all allies agreed with the statements” to be adopted at the summit, both on spending and capabilities.
On Spain specifically, he says he has “the highest respect” for Spain’s contribution, but disagrees with its assessment that it can meet its obligations with lower spending.
“The fact is that Spain thinks they can achieve those targets on a percentage of 2.1%.
Nato is absolutely convinced Spain will have to spend 3.5%.
So each country will now regularly report on what they are doing in terms of spending and reaching the targets, so we will see.”
He says there will be a review in 2029, too.
Russia remains most direct threat to Nato, Rutte says
Nato’s Rutte points out Russia as the biggest threat facing the alliance, as he declares its support for Ukraine.
“Of course, the most significant and direct threat facing this alliance remains the Russian Federation.
Moscow continues to wage war against Ukraine with the support of North Korea, Iran and China, as well as Belarus.
We all want peace for Ukrainian people and an end to the terrible war against them.”
He adds:
We must continue to make sure Ukraine has what it needs to defend today and deter in the future.
Our support for Ukraine is unwavering and will persist.
He also says the new figures show that
“our European and Canadian allies have stepped up and have already pledged where we originally would have been able to announce that 20 billion over the first three months of this year, it is now, they will provide over 35 billion euros of additional security assistance to Ukraine for the year ahead.”
5% target a 'quantum leap' in defence spending for Nato members, Rutte says
Natos’s Rutte says that all members now meet the 2% target agreed in 2014 at the alliance’s summit in Wales.
So we have made crucial progress in the last five, six months, but our security environment has changed, and not for the better.
The threats we face today demands that we do far, far more to ensure we can effectively deter and defend.
He says the Hague summit will “introduce a new baseline” of 5% of GDP to be spent on defence.
“This is a quantum leap that is ambitious, historic and fundamental to securing our future.”
Rutte says that building a stronger Nato also makes it fairer, with all countries stepping up to meet their obligations.
He says:
While Nato is and will remain a defensive alliance, there should be no doubt about our ability and resolve to protect our nations and respond with resounding force should we be attacked. This is what it means to be a more lethal Alliance.
Updated
Nato's Rutte talking to journalists before summit
Nato secretary general Mark Rutte is now giving a press conference ahead of the alliance’s summit in The Hague later this week.
This is my first Nato Summit as secretary general and the first Nato summit to be hosted by the Netherlands.
As a Dutchman, and as a native of this beautiful city, it is particularly meaningful to me that we gather here this week and we meet at a truly historic moment with significant and growing challenges to our security.
You can watch it below, but I will bring you all the key lines here.
Italy has frozen €2.3bn of Russian assets since Ukraine invasion
Italy has frozen Russian oligarchs’ assets valued at around €2.3bn ($2.64bn) since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, data provided by Italian authorities show, with the most recent seizures occurring at the beginning of the month, Reuters reported.
Italy seized assets – including bank accounts, luxury villas, yachts and cars – as part of the European Union’s sanctions against the Kremlin and its backers.
The Bank of Italy had said that at the end of June 2023 their value amounted to $2.5bn.
This month it did not update the total amount, but said that the funds frozen due to sanctions against Russia totalled almost 280 million euros up to December 2024 - a 44 million euro increase from the previous year.
Updated
Europeans back higher defence spending amid Russia threat, poll finds
Faced with an unpredictable Donald Trump and an aggressive Russia, Europeans favour increased spending on defence and, in some countries, compulsory military service.
A survey of 12 countries for the European Council on Foreign Relations showed majorities for increased defence spending in Poland (70%), Denmark (70%) and the UK (57%).
Support was softer elsewhere, but large minorities in Germany (47%), Spain (46%) and France (45%) also backed bigger military budgets. Italy was an outlier: only 17% favoured higher spending, with 57% against.
Europeans in several countries supported reintroducing mandatory military service, with the crucial exception of 18- to 29-year-olds – those most likely to be called up in any armed conflict. People in France (62%), Germany (53%) and Poland (51%) were the strongest supporters of military service.
Opposition to the idea outweighed support in countries including Italy (50% against), the UK (53%), Spain (56%) and Hungary (58%).
Older people were keenest on the draft. In Germany, for example, a net total of 49% of over-70s supported military service, while a net total of 46% of 18- to 29-year-olds opposed the idea.
The research also found the European public divided sharply over Trump, whose return to the US presidency has scrambled traditional allegiances to Washington. Countries with traditionally strong ties with the US are becoming increasingly sceptical of the US system: in the UK and Germany, majorities of 74% and 67% think it is broken.
European far-right parties, which often took inspiration from Vladimir Putin’s Russia, now look to Trump’s system as a model, the authors suggest. In contrast, voters for mainstream parties are critical of Trump and the US political system.
Far-right and national populist allegiance to Trump exists, despite sizeable minorities of voters for those parties seeing his re-election as bad news for Americans. For instance, 34% of AfD voters in Germany, 28% of France’s National Rally supporters and 30% of Reform UK voters consider Trump’s re-election as “very bad” or “rather bad” for Americans.
Updated
Hungary, Slovakia oppose new EU sanction on Russia
Hungary and Slovakia decided not to support the plan for the 18th sanctions package against Russia, Hungarian foreign minister Péter Szijjártó said in a press briefing broadcast on his Facebook page, Reuters reported.
The two countries decided to block the sanctions package in response to European Union plans to phase out Russian energy imports, the minister said.
Sanctions need unanimity to be passed, but both countries had made similar threats it in the past, but then pulled back at the last minute in exchange for concessions – so let’s see what happens this time round.
Updated
Zelenskyy arrives in Britain for talks with King Charles, PM Starmer, meeting with military personnel
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived to Britain to discuss Ukraine’s defence and how to put additional pressure on Russia, his presidential spokesman said, as reported by Reuters.
Zelenskyy will meet King Charles, prime minister Keir Starmer and the speakers of both Houses of Parliament, the spokesman said.
He added that the president would also talk to Ukrainian military personnel who are being trained in Britain and representatives of think-tanks.
Belgium wants Nato flexibility after Spain's 'noisy' outburst
Belgium said it was seeking “maximum flexibility” from Nato on ramped-up defence spending targets to be agreed at a summit this week after fellow laggard Spain insisted it had won an exception, AFP reported.
Belgian foreign minister Maxime Prevot told local media that while Brussels had to show “willingness to get back in line” after years of underspending, the target was beyond its “budgetary reach”.
“We may not have done so by making a noisy statement like Spain, but I can assure you that for weeks our diplomats have been working hard to obtain the flexibility mechanisms … that could help to lighten the burden of the Belgian effort,” he told RTBF radio. “We’re asking for maximum flexibility”.
But a Nato diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity told AFP there was “no opt-out”.
“It is always the case that allies have the sovereign right to determine how they’ll deliver on their commitments,” the diplomat said.
Nato win provides Spain's Sanchez much-needed win at politically perilous time - snap analysis
Pedro Sánchez’s success in negotiating an exemption for Spain over Nato’s proposal for member states to increase their defence spending to 5% of their GDP (9:22) provides the embattled PM with a much-needed win at a perilous time.
Faced with an apparently ever-growing list of corruption allegations that threaten his minority coalition government, Sánchez has been able to demonstrate that he still has the clout to defend Spain’s national interest and safeguard its welfare state spending.
The socialist prime minister has been blunt in his appraisal of what the 5% commitment would mean for Spain, saying:
“Going from 2% to 5% by 2035 would require spending an additional €350bn, which could only be achieved by raising taxes for each worker by approximately €3,000 annually; eliminating unemployment, sickness, and maternity benefits; reducing all pensions by 40%; or halving state investment in education.”
Little wonder, then, that he was so keen to trumpet the win during a televised “institutional statement” on Sunday evening. The issue may help reassure his allies in the small, leftwing Sumar alliance that he won’t be dictated to by Nato – or Donald Trump – and that the welfare state will take precedence over defence spending.
Unsurprisingly, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the leader of the opposition, conservative People’s party (PP) has hit back over the deal, questioning its true worth. In a post on X last night, Feijóo accused Sánchez of propaganda and of making promises he won’t have to keep.
“Propaganda aside, what Sánchez just said is that he’s going to commit to military spending for the next ten years, without a budget and without going through Congress,” said the PP leader. “In other words, he’s agreed that Spain will pay, but only after he’s gone.”
Sánchez responded with what could be seen as a patronising jibe at Feijóo’s lack of English skills.
In a post in reply, he shared Nato secretary general Mark Rutte’s letter, adding:
“Here we go, Alberto. Get someone to translate it for you. Let’s see if it clears up any doubts.”
Meanwhile in Ukraine, officials say Russian drones and missiles have killed at least 10 civilians in night-time attacks, AP reported.
Drones and missiles hit residential areas, hospitals and sports infrastructure in numerous districts across Kyiv in the early hours of Monday, emergency services said.
The most severe damage was in the Shevchenkivskyi district, where a section of a five-story apartment building collapsed, AP noted.
For more updates on the Israel-Iran war, including US president Donald Trump’s call to “make Iran great again”, you can also follow our live blog here run by Jane Clinton:
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EU cites ‘indications’ Israel is breaching human rights obligations over conduct in Gaza
Let’s stop for a moment on that question of the EU-Israel association agreement, which sees Spain calling for immediate suspension of the deal, while Germany appears to be distancing itself from it.
Here’s a good primer on the issue from our Brussels correspondent Jennifer Rankin.
The EU has said “there are indications” that Israel is in breach of human rights obligations over its conduct in Gaza, but stopped short of calling for immediate sanctions.
“There are indications that Israel would be in breach of its human rights obligations under article 2 of the EU-Israel association agreement,” states a leaked document from the EU’s foreign policy service, seen by the Guardian.
Couched in the typically cautious language of Brussels, the document nevertheless represents a significant moment in Europe’s relations towards a longstanding ally.
The closely guarded paper, which will be presented by the EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, to European foreign ministers on Monday, cites assessments by the international court of justice, the office of the high commissioner for human rights, and numerous other UN bodies, while saying that it does not represent “a value judgment” by any EU official.
The finding has been seen as a foregone conclusion since a review of the EU-Israel agreement was put on the agenda last month by 17 EU member states, led by the Netherlands, a traditional ally of Israel.
Iran must negotiate directly with US, German minister says
German foreign minister Johann Wadephul said today’s meeting was kicking off “a crucial week for security in Europe and the world,” with talks to be continued at the Nato and the EU summits later this week.
He says European negotiators told Iran last Friday in Geneva that “a real prerequisite for resolving the conflict is that Iran is willing to negotiate directly with the US.”
“Iran says it only wants to negotiate with Europe and we see that as a good sign but we do also say that’s not sufficient. We want to see the United States being involved,” he added.
He added that “Iran must know that the world will not accept that it is nuclear armed.”
More broadly, he added that ministers “will discuss the further situation in the Middle East,” saying in particular that “the Gaza Strip is still an issue that must be discussed [as] the humanitarian situation is still unacceptable.”
But he added that Germany “does not believe that the EU’s association agreement with Israel should be suspended,” as the bloc “needs good relations with Israel.”
Escalation in Middle East would be 'devastating', French minister warns
France’s foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot has warned against any attempts to force regime change in Iran, while noting his country’s concern about escalation of the Middle East conflict that he said could be “devastating” for the region with very serious consequences for global stability.
Arriving at a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Barrot called on Iran not to take action to aggravate the situation, adding that Iran’s nuclear programme was “an existential risk” for Israel, the wider region and Europe.
Referring to his meeting on Friday with Iran’s foreign minister, also involving his German and British counterparts, Barrot said Europe had the experience, competence and detailed knowledge of the questions to open up a negotiation space with Iran.
Turning to the discussion about EU-Israel relations, Barrot said Israel had “clearly violated” article two of the agreement between the two parties on human rights, referring to the Israeli government’s conduct in the Gaza strip and the West Bank. He said ministers would draw the consequences at their next meeting in July, without going into further details.
And he added that France remained determined “to recognise the state of Palestine in a collective movement involving all stakeholders and making possible a political solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, a two-state solution based on guarantees to both peoples”.
Poland’s Radosław Sikorski is speaking to the media now.
He says Russia is using the escalating situation in the Middle East as a cover for intensifying its attacks on Ukraine.
Separately, Sikorski also says that more EU countries are now advancing with their plans to evacuate citizens from Israel and the broader region, and notes that Poland has just completed its third evacuation flight, helping some 300 people to leave in total.
On the EU-Israel association agreement, he says it has not been discussed yet, but might be later in the day.
EU wants a diplomatic solution in Iran, keeps focus on Ukraine
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the leaders are “very much focused” on finding a diplomatic solution to the situation with Iran with growing “concerns of retaliation and this war escalating.”
She said that Iran’s decision to close the Strait of Hormuz “is something that would be extremely dangerous and not good for anybody.”
She also said the summit will discuss the association agreement with Israel, with the EU’s review ready for discussion, and Israel submitting its response.
On Ukraine, she said:
“… while our eyes are on what is happening in Iran and the Middle East, there are people dying and in Kyiv, because Russia is keeping the bombs and bombing Ukraine every single day.”
She said the focus was on agreeing further military and ammunition support for Ukraine and “pushing” for the 18th package of sanctions.
'Putin is a warmaker,' Ukrainian minister says after attacks on Kyiv
Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha is taking part in this morning’s EU foreign affairs council.
In his opening comments, he worried about “another sleepless night in Kyiv” with another Russian “heavy missile attack on Ukrainian civilian targets.”
“That’s the real response of the Russian side to all peace efforts, all peace proposals,” he said.
“Putin is a warmaker,” he warned, adding it was the time “to engage all diplomatic instruments to raise the price for further Russian aggression” and “to force Russia to peace.”
Spain calls for suspending EU-Israel association agreement
Spain’s Albares also called for an immediate suspension of the EU-Israel association agreement, saying “the times of words and declarations is behind” and adding that “Palestinians in Gaza have no more time to lose.”
“If the association agreement is based on human rights, it’s the most normal thing that we suspend immediately today that association agreement and that we move forward.
That’s why I will ask for the suspension of the association agreement, an embargo of selling weapons to Israel, and enlarging the list of people that are being sanctioned to everyone that wants to be a spoiler of the two-state solution.”
The Spanish minister added that Europe “must show courage in favour of peace, of international law” and defend the values it is meant to stand up for.
Spain reaches agreement with Nato on 5% defence spending, minister says
Spanish foreign minister José Manuel Albares is among the first to arrive at the foreign affairs council in Brussels.
He says that over the weekend, Spain has reached an agreement with Nato on the proposed 5% defence spending commitment to be adopted at this week’s summit, after prime minister Pedro Sánchez harshly criticised it as “unreasonable” and “unproductive”.
By the sound of it, the fix relies on changing the wording to make it sound like Spain agrees with the ambition, but is not bound by the percentage – as long as it meets its obligations in another way.
Albares said Spain remained “fully committed” on “unity and the European and Euro-Atlantic security,” with “a historic number of Spanish soldiers on the eastern flank” of Nato.
But, he said, “we think that the debate must not be around percentage, but capabilities,” and that Spain can meet its obligations spending less, around 2.1%.
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Morning opening: What's Europe's position?
EU foreign ministers are meeting this morning in Brussels to talk about the bloc’s position on Ukraine and Russia and the worsening crisis in the Middle East.
The foreign affairs council kicks off what some dubbed a “super week” in European – and not only – politics, with the Nato summit in The Hague and the European Council summit later this week.
And there’s plenty to talk about.
Today’s meeting starts with Ukraine, after another night of heavy Russian attacks with 352 drones and 16 missiles reported by the country’s air force, mostly targeting Kyiv. At least six were killed, and over a dozen were injured.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that “preliminary reports indicate that ballistic weapons from North Korea were also used.”
“Everyone in countries neighbouring Russia, Iran, and North Korea should be thinking carefully about whether they could protect lives if this coalition of murderers persists and continues spreading their terror,” he warned.
Zelenskyy will be in Britain today for further talks on “new and powerful steps to increase pressure on Russia for this war and to put an end to the strikes.”
The EU ministers will then turn to the Middle East, likely calling for a return to negotiations and the need to avoid further escalation.
A big discussion is also expected on potentially triggering a review of the EU-Israel association agreement, but will they want to do this amid escalating and uncertain situation in the region?
Elsewhere, I will be checking on the latest in the buildup to the Nato summit, and other updates from Germany, Norway, Sweden and Romania among others.
It’s Monday, 23 June 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
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