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Novaya Gazeta Europe
27-07-2025
- Business
- Novaya Gazeta Europe
Wolf at the door. Europe must now show that it can follow through on its pledges to boost military spending and step up its support for Ukraine — Novaya Gazeta Europe
'Money makes the world go around,' sings the showgirl Sally Bowles in Cabaret, the iconic musical set against the backdrop of the Weimar Republic's decadence. Money will certainly shape Europe's future, as political leaders across the continent are forced to make painful decisions about how to allocate public funds in an increasingly unstable world. Carl Bildt Former Swedish prime minister and foreign minister Three urgent priorities are set to strain Europe's public finances over the next few years. The first — and most obvious — is defence. The push to boost military spending is primarily a response to Vladimir Putin's aggression, compounded by US President Donald Trump's relentless criticism of America's NATO allies. Together, these pressures have made strengthening Europe's defence posture a strategic necessity. The second, and arguably more urgent, priority is to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia. If Ukraine's defences were to collapse, a revanchist Russia would likely go on a rampage. Ensuring that Ukraine can continue to defend itself will require European governments to go beyond their existing defence-spending commitments. And lastly, there is the lengthy process of producing the European Union's next multiyear budget, which will cover the period from 2028 to 2034. The European Commission has already presented its proposal, but the real challenge lies ahead, as member states and the European Parliament must go through internal negotiations before agreeing on the final numbers. Supporting Ukraine through the war and the country's eventual reconstruction will also require a substantial financial commitment. The commission's proposal includes increased funding for security, global commitments, and competitiveness, as well as additional support for Ukraine. Although these priorities have been widely supported, the reallocation of resources needed to fund them has been the subject of fierce debate. It is safe to say the commission is headed for a bruising political showdown before a consensus is reached. Despite the intensity of these budgetary battles, the commission's proposed budget amounts to just 1.26% of the combined gross national income (GNI) of the EU's 27 member states. While that is up from 1.13% today, the net increase is relatively modest once debt-servicing costs from the bloc's post-pandeemic borrowing spree are factored in. When it comes to defence, however, the numbers are far more significant. Across Europe, defence budgets have grown by roughly one third in recent years, with most of NATO's European members spending around 2% of their GDP or nearing that benchmark. But even that is no longer enough. At the June NATO summit in The Hague, members pledged to spend 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035, with an additional 1.5% earmarked for loosely defined defence- and security-related investments. The extra 1.5% appears designed to appease Trump, who has repeatedly called for European allies to boost military spending to 5% of GDP. Much of this additional spending is expected to rely on creative accounting rather than actual new funding. Supporting Ukraine through the war and the country's eventual reconstruction will also require a substantial financial commitment. While estimates vary, $100 billion per year, for example, would amount to just over 0.4% of the combined GDP of the EU and the United Kingdom — significant but far from unmanageable. At some point within the 2028-35 budget window, the cost of rebuilding Ukraine will need to be addressed. Some studies have estimated the cost of reconstruction at around $500 billion, though this figure includes areas that may remain under Russian control for the foreseeable future. Much will also depend on whether security guarantees and the prospect of Ukraine's EU accession can foster an environment conducive to large-scale private investment. Ukrainian rescuers work at the site of a glide bomb strike in Kharkiv, northern Ukraine, 25 July 2025. Photo: EPA/SERGEY KOZLOV Of course, new demands may emerge, placing additional strain on Europe's finances. Several European governments, for example, have already slashed development aid or diverted part of it to support Ukraine. While this may have been a necessary short-term response to Russia's invasion, its long-term consequences remain unclear. Currently, only Norway, Sweden, and Denmark meet the United Nations target of allocating 0.7% of GNI to development assistance. Following the Trump administration's dramatic foreign-aid cuts and the shutdown of the US Agency for International Development, there is a strong case for Europe to fill the void. A more desperate world will be more volatile and less secure, making development a strategic imperative as well as a moral one. Meeting all of these commitments will not be easy, especially for governments already grappling with high deficits and rising public debt. My guess is that northern European countries will reach NATO's 3.5%-of-GDP defence spending target well before 2035, while southern European countries — with the exception of Greece — will likely fail to meet it. With France, Italy, and Spain all heading for elections by 2027, the political appetite for the spending cuts needed to increase defence budgets will likely remain limited. There is a stark contrast between NATO's swift approval of large spending pledges and the EU's wrangling over far smaller amounts. This trend is already evident in the distribution of aid to Ukraine. In the first four months of 2025, the Nordic countries contributed $6.8 billion, the UK provided $5.3 billion, and Germany put up $760 million, while Spain and Italy gave only a fraction of those amounts. The irony is that the EU member states often labelled as 'frugal' are the ones actually willing to provide funding to advance the bloc's agreed-upon priorities. Meanwhile, the less frugal countries prefer to call for more borrowing, even though they have limited room to do so themselves. These tensions are now driving the intensifying battle over Europe's finances. There is a stark contrast between NATO's swift approval of large spending pledges and the EU's wrangling over far smaller amounts. Whatever the outcome, the coming fiscal fight will test how able and willing Europe's leaders are to confront the serious security challenges ahead. This article was first published by Project Syndicate. Views expressed in opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the position of Novaya Gazeta Europe
Reuters
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Can US President Donald Trump win the Nobel Peace Prize?
July 8 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has nominated U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, the highest profile international award given to an individual or organization deemed to have done the most to "advance fellowship between nations." In his letter to the Nobel Committee, which he shared online, Netanyahu said Trump had "demonstrated steadfast and exceptional dedication to promoting peace, security and stability around the world." Trump, who is trying to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, has been nominated before. Pakistan said in June it would recommend Trump for the prize for his work in helping to resolve a conflict between India and Pakistan. Netanyahu's nomination of Trump has generated skepticism in some quarters, including from former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, who said on X that Netanyahu was seeking to flatter Trump. If Trump won the prize, he would be the fifth U.S. president to do so, after Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter, and Barack Obama. Here is a look at how the award works: According to the will of Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, the prize, opens new tab should go to the person "who has done the most or best to advance fellowship among nations, the abolition or reduction of standing armies, and the establishment and promotion of peace congresses." All living persons or active institutions are eligible. In an introduction on the Nobel website, Chair of the Peace Prize Committee Jorgen Watne Frydnes says "in practice anyone can be the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. The history of the prize shows clearly it's given to people from all layers of society from all over the world." The Nobel Prizes are announced in October each year, but nominations close the previous January, meaning Netanyahu's nomination of Trump could not be considered this year. Thousands of people can propose names: members of governments and parliaments; current heads of state; university professors of history, social sciences, law, and philosophy; and former Nobel Peace Prize laureates, among others. You cannot nominate yourself. Nominee lists are kept secret for 50 years, though there is nothing to stop those who make nominations from disclosing their choices. The Norwegian Nobel Committee, opens new tab, which consists of five individuals appointed by the Norwegian parliament, is the arbiter. Members are often retired politicians, but not always. The current committee is led by the head of the Norwegian branch of PEN International, a group defending freedom of expression. They are all put forward by Norwegian political parties and their appointments reflect the balance of power in Norway's parliament. The first meeting of the committee takes place in February of each year, when committee members can make their own nominations to add to the list. Last year, there were 286 nominees, and in 2025 there are 338 candidates nominated for the prize - 244 individuals and 94 organizations. The committee whittles the nominations down to make a shortlist, and each nominee is then assessed by a group of permanent advisers and other experts. The committee aims for unanimity but can decide by majority vote. A final decision is often only made a few days before the prize is announced. The Nobel Peace Prize has often been seen as having a political message. The Nobel website says some recipients have been "highly controversial political actors," while the prize has also increased public focus on international or national conflicts. Obama won the award just a few months after taking office. Two members of the committee stepped down over the decision in 1973 to award the Peace Prize to U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and Vietnamese politician Le Duc Tho for negotiating an end to the Vietnam War. One member quit in 1994 when Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat shared the prize with Israel's Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin. A medal, a diploma, 11 million Swedish crowns ($1.15 million), and immediate global attention, if they are not already famous. The announcement of this year's prize will be made on October 10 at the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo. The ceremony will take place at the Oslo City Hall on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death. ($1 = 9.5584 Swedish crowns)
ABC News
27-06-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Trump's big, beautiful week
After promising his MAGA base that he wouldn't get the US into any further foreign entanglements, Donald Trump had a big week on the international stage. He's claiming the strikes on Iran, and the defence spending pledges at NATO as big successes, but can he square them with his promise of 'America First'? Guest: Carl Bildt, Prime Minister of Sweden 1991-1994, foreign minister 2006-2014, co-chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations Recommendations: Geraldine: 'This is the 'beginning of the end' for Iran's supreme leader. But what comes next?', Roland Oliphant in AFR 'If This Mideast War Is Over, Get Ready for Some Interesting Politics', Tom Friedman in the New York Times Hamish: James, by Percival Everett Get in touch: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Shock in Sweden at death of diplomat questioned for spying
Sweden's foreign minister has spoken of grief among her colleagues after it emerged that a diplomat who was questioned this week on suspicion of spying has been found man, described as a high-ranking diplomat, was arrested by Sweden's Säpo intelligence service on Sunday and released on Wednesday. He had denied wrongdoing, although prosecutors said he remained under Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard released a statement saying her thoughts were with the diplomat's family, friends and colleagues and said it had been a difficult said she could not go into further details about the case. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death. Former foreign minister Carl Bildt described the "tragically deceased ambassador" as extremely gifted and competent, who had worked in various roles within the foreign reports said he had spent long periods stationed outside Europe, most recently as an ambassador. Asked to confirm whether the man who died was an ambassador, his lawyer Anton Strand said he had no comment. Images of the door to the diplomat's flat on Swedish TV showed that it had been forced open at the time of his diplomat had sought medical treatment for injuries and submitted a report alleging use of excessive force at the time. Säpo said the arrest had been Strand said in a statement to the BBC: "I have ensured his formal report about abuse during the arrest has arrived to the special investigations unit. An investigation has started regarding this."Unconfirmed reports from public broadcaster SVT suggest Säpo had been investigating a possible link to the sudden resignation of the new national security adviser, Tobias Thyberg, who quit hours a day after taking on the before he resigned, sensitive pictures of him on the dating app Grindr had been sent anonymously to the national security adviser quits over Grindr imagesMr Strand made no comment on that but said he had received the news of his client's death early on Friday and his thoughts were with his Per Lindqvist told Swedish TV that the death was very regrettable and a preliminary investigation into suspected espionage was not reports said the man was in his 50s and had returned to his home in central Stockholm temporarily after a long period abroad.
Local Germany
27-02-2025
- Business
- Local Germany
Europeans hit back after Donald Trump says EU was born to 'screw' US
Trump's month back in the White House has been marked by soaring friction between Washington and its European allies, with the United States abruptly shifting gears on support for Ukraine and Germany's likely next leader urging Europe to seek take greater control of its own defense. "Look, let's be honest, the European Union was formed in order to screw the United States," Trump told reporters as he gathered his cabinet for the first time. "That's the purpose of it, and they've done a good job of it. But now I'm president," Trump said. The European Commission shot back that the European Union is "the world's largest free market" and has been "a boon for the United States". Former Swedish prime minister Carl Bildt, writing on X, said Trump had a "seriously distorted view of history" as the EU was "actually set up to prevent war on the European continent". The United States for decades cheered on European integration, seeing the EU's formation in 1993 as a historic achievement to end conflict on a continent ravaged by two world wars. Trump by contrast applauded Britain when it left the single European market, and has vowed an "America First" policy of pursuing self-interest above any abstract concepts of partnership. Trump said at his cabinet meeting that the European Union has "really taken advantage of us". The United States had a trade deficit to the 27-nation bloc of $235.6 billion last year, according to official US figures. Asked if he had made a decision on tariff levels for the European Union, Trump added: "We'll be announcing it very soon and it'll be 25 percent, generally speaking." He said that cars would be among the products to be hit – grim news for Germany whose export-driven economy has been in a slump. The European Commission warned it would respond "firmly and immediately" to new tariffs. Trump has also slapped tariffs on US neighbors Canada and Mexico as well as rival China, citing issues including illegal immigration and fentanyl smuggling. EU meeting scrapped Trump, who has made the deportation of undocumented immigrants a top priority, acknowledged his origins in Europe, saying wryly: "I guess I'm from there at some point a long time ago, right?" But whatever the common heritage, tensions have risen sharply with the European Union on a series of issues starting with Ukraine. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas was visiting Washington on Wednesday and had earlier announced that she would meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The meeting was canceled, with a European Union spokesman citing "scheduling issues." Trump, however, saw French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday and meets British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday. On Monday, the United States sided with Russia and against nearly all European allies at the United Nations in backing a resolution that called for a swift end to the war without insisting on Ukraine's territorial integrity. Trump insisted on Wednesday it was up to Europe, not the United States, to provide security guarantees to Ukraine, even as President Volodymyr Zelensky prepared to fly to Washington to sign an agreement giving US control of much of his country's mineral wealth. The winner of Germany's election on Sunday, Friedrich Merz, is a longstanding supporter of the transatlantic alliance but has warned not to be under illusions about Trump. Merz said that Europe must move quickly to "achieve independence" from the United States on defense matters. Rubio, in an interview broadcast Wednesday with Fox News, said that the Nato alliance was "not in jeopardy" but that Europe needed to spend more on its own defense. "We're not saying do your own thing. We're saying do more. It's their continent, right?" he said.
