Lili Bayer
@liliebayer.bsky.social
European Security Correspondent at Reuters, covering NATO, EU defense and foreign policy in Brussels. Signal: lilibayer.24 Follow Reuters’ Europe foreign policy team: @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social, @sasilink.bsky.social & @irishjreuters.bsky.social
Analysis after Ankara: NATO weathers another Trump storm but braces for more. With @liliebayer.bsky.social
NATO weathers another Trump storm but braces for more after Ankara summit
NATO has weathered another storm from Donald Trump but European members of the military alliance are bracing for more turbulence ahead in relations with the U.S. president.
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NATO leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump are set to affirm an "ironclad commitment" to collective defence under the alliance's Article 5 pact at a summit in Ankara next week, according to a text approved by NATO ambassadors on Friday and seen by Reuters. With @liliebayer.bsky.social
NATO leaders including Trump to affirm 'ironclad commitment' to collective defence in Ankara, summit text says
NATO leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump are set to affirm an "ironclad commitment" to collective defence under the alliance's Article 5 pact at a summit in Ankara next week, according to ...
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Germany's Merz pitches 'associate' EU membership for Ukraine Story by @liliebayer.bsky.social and me on the chancellor's push to find a middle way between fast-track membership and Ukraine's current status as candidate at start of process.
Germany's Merz pitches 'associate' EU membership for Ukraine
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has proposed giving Ukraine a direct role in European Union structures as an interim step to EU membership that he said could help facilitate a deal to end the war t...
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Europeans have been working on ways to convince Donald Trump to stick with in NATO despite tensions over the Iran war. But his abrupt move to cut US forces in Germany is the latest sign that such efforts have their limits and are far from certain to succeed. Analysis with @liliebayer.bsky.social
Trump's Germany troop cuts show limits of NATO efforts to keep US on board
European officials have been working on ways to convince Donald Trump to keep the United States in NATO despite severe tensions over the Iran war. But his abrupt move to cut U.S. forces in Germany is ...
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Summit less to worry about? ICYMI, one more push for our story: NATO is considering ending its recent practice of holding annual summits - which could avoid a final tense encounter with Donald Trump in his last year in office. Ankara summit goes ahead in July as planned… (1/2)
NATO alliance, bruised by Trump, considers end to annual summits
NATO is considering ending its recent practice of holding annual summits, six sources told Reuters, a move that could avoid a potentially tense encounter with U.S. President Donald Trump in his final...
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New from Reuters: NATO is considering ending its recent practice of holding annual summits, six sources told Reuters — a move that could avoid a potentially tense encounter with President Trump in his final year in office. Story from @humeyrapamuk.bsky.social, me and @liliebayer.bsky.social
NATO alliance, bruised by Trump, considers end to annual summits
NATO is considering ending its recent practice of holding annual summits, six sources told Reuters, a move that could avoid a potentially tense encounter with U.S. President Donald Trump in his final...
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A former Hungarian intelligence official told us there were discussions in Hungarian security circles over the past days about a precise plan for a false-flag operation impacting the pipeline in Serbia as part of effort to influence Hungary’s election. www.reuters.com/world/hungar...
Explosives found near pipeline in Serbia that carries Russian gas, leaders say
The incident comes a week before pivotal elections on April 12 in Hungary where Viktor Orbán is fighting to retain power.
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We spoke with over a dozen current and former officials about how Europe views Hungary’s election. "I think everybody hopes Orban will lose," said one diplomat. "I have very few illusions about Magyar's world view," said another diplomat. Story: www.reuters.com/world/eu-hop...
EU hopes Hungarian election will bring end to Orban's blockades
Few EU leaders will miss Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban if he loses an April 12 election after he blocked key policies, including vital aid to Ukraine, but they don't expect his rival - if el...
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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
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 ...
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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.
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.
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It's midnight at the European Council. Read our latest: www.reuters.com/world/europe...
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...
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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...
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...
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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.
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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.
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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...
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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...
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.
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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...
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 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.
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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 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.
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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...
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.
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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.
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...
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.
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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...
EU on charm offensive in Ukraine as Hungary blocks Kyiv's accession
Ukraine wants to accelerate work on joining the 27-member bloc.
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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...
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.
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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...
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.
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NATO warns Russia to stop 'escalatory' actions after Estonian airspace violation Story with @liliebayer.bsky.social
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".
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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...
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.
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