Lili Bayer

European capitals push back as Ukraine seeks fast-track EU membership Ukraine’s push for a fast track into the European Union as part of any ​peace deal has hit stiff resistance from EU governments, who do not want to open the Pandora’s box of problems that they fear a ...

Ukraine’s push for a fast track into the European Union as part of any ​peace deal has hit stiff resistance from EU governments, who don't want to open the Pandora’s box of problems they fear a quick accession would ‌unleash.

New from @liliebayer.bsky.social, me and Kyiv bureau chief Daniel Flynn

Trump's Greenland push prompts NATO scramble for Arctic security ideas - and survival The NATO security alliance that has protected Europe for decades finds itself with limited power to determine its own fate due to President Donald Trump’s desire for U.S. ownership of Greenland.

NATO is in a bind. Trump's Greenland push threatens its very existence. But NATO's power to influence the standoff is limited.

It is scrambling for more Arctic security measures. But Trump has insisted nothing less than U.S. ownership of Greenland will do.

Analysis by @liliebayer.bsky.social & me.

Crunch EU summit discusses using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine European Union leaders were trying on Thursday to overcome differences on plans to use frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine's war effort against Russia's invasion, seen as a critical test of the b...

It's midnight at the European Council. Read our latest:

www.reuters.com/world/europe...

EU looking at options for boosting Lebanon's internal security forces, document says The European Union is studying options for strengthening Lebanon’s Internal Security Forces to help free up the Lebanese army to focus on disarming the armed group Hezbollah, according to a document s...

New: I got hold a of an EEAS document that looks at options for strengthening Lebanon's internal security forces.

www.reuters.com/world/middle...

We've published the full text of a European counter-proposal to the U.S. 28-point Ukraine peace plan, seen by Reuters.

The document, drafted by Europe's E3 powers of Britain, France and Germany, takes the U.S. plan as its basis but goes through point by point with suggested changes & deletions.

New from us:

Europeans have submitted a modified version of the United States' peace plan for Ukraine that pushes back on proposed limits to Kyiv's armed forces and territorial concessions, according to a document seen by Reuters on Sunday.

Story below, we'll also publish full text.

EU foreign policy chief @kajakallas.bsky.social sending a very visual message on Ukraine at EU-Indo Pacific ministerial meeting.

New: The much-awaited options paper on financing for Ukraine is here.

www.reuters.com/business/fin...

www.reuters.com/business/med... @reuters.com @reutersbiz.bsky.social @legal.reuters.com @thomsonreutersnews.bsky.social @liliebayer.bsky.social

EU says it could admit new members by 2030, praises Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine The European Commission said on Tuesday that the EU could welcome new members as early as 2030 as it praised Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine and Moldova for their progress on reforms needed to join the bloc.

The European Commission said today that the EU could welcome new members as early as 2030 as it praised Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine and Moldova for their progress on reforms needed to join the bloc.

www.reuters.com/world/europe...

Ukraine committed to EU accession but should do more on rule of law, Commission draft says Ukraine is showing "remarkable commitment" to joining the EU, but must reverse recent negative trends in the fight against corruption and accelerate rule of law reforms, the European Commission said in a draft text seen by Reuters on Monday.

Full story: www.reuters.com/world/ukrain...

Ukraine is showing "remarkable commitment" to joining the EU, but must reverse recent negative trends in the fight against corruption and accelerate rule of law reforms, the European Commission said in a draft text seen by Reuters on Monday.

When I spent time in Reuters’ Jerusalem bureau in August, I spoke with Israelis about wartime comms & deepening isolation.

This week I spoke with former and current officials & experts about their hopes that the country can begin to repair its image abroad.

Story:
www.reuters.com/world/middle...

EU scramble for anti-Russia 'drone wall' hits political, technical hurdles Just hours after some 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace last month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it was time for Europe to build a "drone wall" to protect its eastern flank.

Here's our deep dive into the EU's drone wall (which, as we reported yesterday, is getting a new name).

We get into the politics, the technicalities and lessons from Ukraine.

A great team effort from Reuters colleagues across Europe. Thanks to them all & everyone who spoke to us.

EU Commission proposes expanding 'drone wall' plan to protect more areas, sources say The European Commission has proposed expanding an initiative for a "drone wall" on Europe's eastern flank to protect all of the continent after some regions said they felt left out, two EU officials and an EU diplomat told Reuters on Tuesday.

The European Commission has proposed expanding an initiative for a "drone wall" on Europe's eastern flank to protect all of the continent after some regions said they felt left out, two EU officials and an EU diplomat told Reuters on Tuesday.
www.reuters.com/world/eu-com...

EU should maximise influence on Gaza and join Board of Peace, document says The European Union should maximise its influence in Gaza's recovery process and join a U.S.-proposed "Board of Peace" intended to temporarily oversee governance of the enclave, the EU's diplomatic arm said in a document seen by Reuters.

We got a look at an internal EU assessment on how it could contribute to Trump’s plan for Gaza.

Story with @irishjreuters.bsky.social:

www.reuters.com/world/middle...

Just published on Reuters, from me and @liliebayer.bsky.social :

The European Commission has broadened its proposal of a "drone wall" on Europe's eastern flank to suggest a "European Drone Defence Initiative" that would help protect the whole continent, two EU officials and an EU diplomat said.

Ukraine's path to EU will be tough, with or without Hungarian hurdle Senior European Union officials who visited Ukraine have delivered a stern message to Kyiv that it has a lot more to do to secure membership, while they work on overcoming Hungary's opposition to Ukrainian accession.

I travelled to Kyiv with European officials, where they highlighted the need for Ukraine to implement reforms while they work on overcoming Hungary’s opposition to Ukraine progressing on accession negotiations.

There are many challenges ahead. Story:

www.reuters.com/world/europe...

EU on charm offensive in Ukraine as Hungary blocks Kyiv's accession Ukraine wants to accelerate work on joining the 27-member bloc.

I’ve been travelling in Ukraine with EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, who visited minority communities in Uzhhorod as Hungary continues blocking progress on Kyiv’s accession bid.

www.reuters.com/world/europe...

Slovakia pushes back on pressure over Russia energy purchases Slovakia on Wednesday pushed back on pressure it is facing to cut back its purchases of Russian energy, saying it was ready to discuss the issue, but singled out some European states for increasing their gas purchases from Moscow.

Slovakia pushed back on pressure to cut back its purchases of Russian energy, saying it was ready to discuss the issue, but singled out some European states for increasing gas purchases from Moscow.

Foreign Minister Blanar spoke with @irishjreuters.bsky.social:

www.reuters.com/business/ene...

Behind bullish comments, some see Trump walking away from Ukraine Donald Trump's comments backing Kyiv to regain all of its territory from Russia have sparked a mixture of relief and suspicion that the U.S. president is ready to leave Europe more to its own devices in supporting Ukraine.

Trump's comments backing Kyiv to regain all of its territory from Russia have sparked a mixture of relief and suspicion that the U.S. president is ready to leave Europe more to its own devices in supporting Ukraine.

www.reuters.com/business/aer...

NATO warns Russia to stop 'escalatory' actions after Estonian airspace violation NATO warned Russia on Tuesday that it would use "all necessary military and non-military tools" to defend itself as it condemned Moscow for violating Estonian airspace in "a pattern of increasingly irresponsible behaviour".

NATO warns Russia to stop 'escalatory' actions after Estonian airspace violation

Story with @liliebayer.bsky.social

Europe races to try to influence US position ahead of Trump-Putin talks Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that the U.S. had pledged to consult with Europe ahead of a summit with Russia's Vladimir Putin, as European ministers prepare for discussions amid fears Washington may dictate unfavourable peace terms to Ukraine.

European leaders and Ukraine's Zelenskiy will speak to Trump this week ahead of his summit with Putin, amid fears Washington may dictate unfavourable peace terms to Ukraine.
www.reuters.com/world/europe...

Kallas says any deal between US and Russia must include Ukraine and EU European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Sunday that any deal between Washington and Moscow to end the war in Ukraine must include Ukraine and the EU, adding that she will convene a meeting of European foreign ministers on Monday to discuss next steps.

Kallas said today that any deal between Washington and Moscow to end the war in Ukraine must include Ukraine and the EU, adding that she will convene a meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday to discuss next steps.

www.reuters.com/world/kallas...

EU assessment finds significant obstructive factors undermine humanitarian operations in Gaza The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to be very severe, an EU official told Reuters after the EU's foreign policy and humanitarian arms updated member countries late on Wednesday on the status of an agreement reached with Israel last month on boosting humanitarian access to Gaza.

The EU's foreign policy and humanitarian arms updated member states on the implementation of the Gaza humanitarian access deal with Israel.

An EU official told me that "significant obstructive factors continue to undermine humanitarian operations and aid delivery".
www.reuters.com/world/middle...

EU Commission discusses curbs on Israel research funding amid Gaza pressure European Commissioners will on Monday discuss a proposal to partially suspend Israel's access to the EU's Horizon research funding program following calls from EU governments to increase pressure on Israel over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

New: European Commissioners are discussing today a proposal to partially suspend Israel's access to the EU's Horizon research funding program following calls from EU governments to increase pressure on Israel over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Moldova urges EU to advance membership talks to counter Moscow Moldova wants to start membership negotiations with the European Union in earnest before a September election to counter Russian disinformation in the country about the EU, Deputy Prime Minister Cristina Gherasimov said.

This week I spoke with @liliebayer.bsky.social from @reuters.com about what’s at stake for both #Ukraine and #Moldova in the accession process. 📎 www.reuters.com/world/moldov... @dgap.org

NATO's Trump flattery buys time but dodges tough questions Lavishing praise, playing the royal card and copying his slogans – NATO pulled out all the stops to keep Donald Trump happy and hold the alliance together at a summit in The Hague.

NATO’s Trump flattery buys time but dodges tough questions. Read @reuters.com analysis of how the summit in the The Hague went smoothly - and what may come next, including my take.

@liliebayer.bsky.social @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social

www.reuters.com/business/aer...

NATO leaders set to back Trump defence spending goal at Hague summit NATO leaders gather in The Hague on Wednesday for a summit tailor-made for U.S. President Donald Trump, with European allies hoping a pledge to hike defence spending will prompt him to dispel doubts about his commitment to the alliance.

NATO Hague summit need to know from Team Reuters:

Main story below 👇

Defence spending explainer: www.reuters.com/business/aer...

Rutte profile: www.reuters.com/world/europe...

Explainer: -What is NATO's new 5% defence spending target? NATO leaders are expected to endorse a big new defence spending target at an alliance summit in The Hague on Wednesday, as demanded by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Wondering about NATO’s new 5% defence spending target?

We answers all your questions here:

www.reuters.com/business/aer...