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President Donald Trump announced the US is reviewing a possible reduction of troops in Germany, days after Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized Washington's approach to Iran. The US maintains more than 36,000 active-duty troops in Germany, its largest contingent in Europe.
As US commitment to NATO faces mounting strain, European leaders are looking to the EU's Article 42.7 mutual defence clause. This article examines whether this once-obscure mechanism could provide Europe with a NATO-like collective defence alternative, based on recent reporting from Al Jazeera and The Guardian.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced plans to expand nuclear deterrence capabilities and modernize the nuclear triad, while also signaling readiness to use military force in the Western Hemisphere and warning NATO allies of consequences for insufficient support.
The European Parliament has approved a resolution calling for a standardized, consent-based definition of rape across the EU, with 447 votes in favor. The move aims to harmonize laws among member states and follows years of stalled efforts, notably opposed by France, Germany, and Hungary in the Council.
Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine defeated Russia's Mirra Andreeva in the Madrid Open final, 7-5, 6-3, to claim the WTA 1000 title. The match took place against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, with the players not shaking hands after the match. Andreeva, competing under a neutral status, was projected to rise to 7th in the WTA rankings.
Polish-Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut has been freed from a Belarusian penal colony as part of a multi-country prisoner exchange, ending five years of detention. The release follows diplomatic efforts by Poland, the US, Romania, and Moldova, and is seen as part of a broader attempt by Belarus to improve ties with the West.
Alexander Butyagin, a Russian archaeologist detained in Poland since December, was released in a prisoner exchange on the Belarusian-Polish border. Russian officials and museum directors have condemned the detention, framing it as part of a broader campaign against Russian scholars, while the exchange was confirmed by Russia's FSB.
Moldova and Russia have conducted a prisoner exchange, swapping two Moldovan intelligence officers for Russian citizen Nina Popova and Alexandru Balan, a Moldovan national convicted of high treason. The FSB claims Popova, wife of a Russian serviceman, was falsely convicted in Moldova, while President Maia Sandu thanked international partners for assistance.
Belarus and Poland have carried out a five-for-five exchange of detained individuals at the Pererov-Bialowieza border checkpoint, involving nationals from Belarus, Russia, and other CIS countries. The operation, confirmed by Belarusian state media, follows months of negotiations between Belarusian and Polish intelligence agencies, with Russia's FSB playing a supporting role.
Global military spending rose to a record $2.88 trillion in 2025, marking the 11th consecutive year of increase, according to SIPRI. Europe and Asia saw sharp spending hikes, while US spending fell by 7.5% due to a halt in new Ukraine aid. Analysts warn of an arms race and trade-offs with social spending.
The US and the EU have signed a memorandum of understanding on critical minerals, aiming to diversify supply chains and reduce dependence on China, which dominates processing of key materials. Poland has also signed a bilateral agreement with the US, becoming the first EU member to do so.
A two-part FRANCE 24 series explores how EU cohesion funds finance transport infrastructure across Europe, from a cycle path near Paris to major rail investments in Poland. However, the journey also highlights Hungary, where EU funds have been frozen over rule-of-law concerns, and Austria, where bureaucratic hurdles persist.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova condemned plans for joint French-Polish military exercises on nuclear deterrence, calling them 'provocative' and 'cynical.' She warned that such actions could cause irreparable damage to the nuclear non-proliferation regime, especially ahead of the NPT Review Conference. According to reports cited by TASS, the exercises would involve French Rafale fighters over the Baltic Sea.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claims NATO officers are infiltrating Ukrainian armed forces' command structures, citing a newly established advisory council. Ukraine's General Staff confirms the council's formation, chaired by British General Sir Richard Shirreff, but frames it as a reform initiative. Zakharova also addressed EU sanctions, Armenia, and space policy.
French President Emmanuel Macron has stated he will exit politics after his second term ends in 2027, during a visit to a high school in Cyprus. He acknowledged the challenge of defending his record while admitting mistakes. The announcement has already set off speculation about his legacy and the upcoming presidential race.
Polish PM Donald Tusk has called for the EU to act as a 'real alliance' and questioned US reliability in the event of a Russian attack, prompting a sharp rebuke from Moscow. Tusk's remarks, made to the Financial Times, come amid heightened security concerns in Eastern Europe and ahead of an informal EU summit in Cyprus. Russian officials dismissed the claims as Russophobic, with President Putin reiterating that Russia has no intention of attacking NATO countries.
Russian lawmakers and diplomats have responded to reports of planned French-Polish air exercises simulating nuclear strikes on Russian territory, calling the drills provocative and warning they undermine strategic stability. The exercises, reported by Polish media, are described as contingency planning rather than a formal NATO operation.
Lufthansa has announced it will cancel 20,000 short-haul flights between May and October to save jet fuel, as prices have more than doubled since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran. The crisis has prompted airlines across Europe to introduce surcharges and raise fares, while experts warn of potential supply shortages.
Russia has informed Rosneft Germany that transit of Kazakh crude oil through the Druzhba pipeline to the PCK refinery in Schwedt will be prohibited from May 1, 2026. The refinery supplies over 90% of Berlin's fuel, but only about 17% of its feedstock comes via this route. German authorities have confirmed the notification, though Russia has not yet officially confirmed it.
Prince Harry made an unannounced visit to Kyiv, where he called on Russia's President Vladimir Putin to end the war and urged American leadership. The visit comes as the European Union approved a major loan to Ukraine. Harry's remarks mark a rare political statement from a senior royal.