Tony Connelly

Europe Editor

The EU's White Paper on Defence has three objectives: supporting Ukraine, rendering it a 'steel porcupine' and rearming Europe

EU defence: Paying the price of the Russian threat

Europe is embarking on a grand spending programme akin to the near trillion euro response to the Covid pandemic in the face of aggression from Russia and the increasing unreliability of the US under President Donald Trump, writes Tony Connelly.

Analysis and Comment • 22 Mar

EU leaders gathered for the summit in Brussels

Zelensky tells EU to keep pressuring Russia before talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged EU leaders to step up weapon supplies to Ukraine and keep pressuring Russia, as officials from Kyiv and Moscow readied to hold fresh talks with the United States next week.

Ireland • 20 Mar

Europe's military support to Ukraine has both depleted some of the EU's military reserves and exposed areas where there is a distinct over-reliance on the US

Europe to publish proposals to boost security and defence

The European Commission is to publish its long-awaited White Paper on Defence, a set of bold proposals designed to boost Europe's security and defence capabilities in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and US President Donald Trump's threat to pull out of NATO.

Europe • 19 Mar

The €315m would be on top of the €100m already committed by the Government in recent weeks

Govt to give extra €315m to Ukraine in EU military deal

The Government is willing to contribute an extra €315 million to the EU's enhanced military package for Ukraine, sources have insisted.

Ireland • 17 Mar

French President Emmanuel Macron along with the French Armed Forces Minister and the chief of staff attended the Paris Defence and Strategy Forum yesterday

European ministers to discuss Ukraine peacekeeping force

A meeting of European defence ministers today will focus on a peacekeeping force which could form part of the security guarantees Ukraine says will be vital if Russia is to be deterred from attacking again after a ceasefire.

Europe • 12 Mar

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she would support with conditions

Von der Leyen offers conditional support for Trump's plan

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said she would support US President Donald Trump's initiative for Ukraine if it delivered a lasting peace with security guarantees that included a US backstop.

Ukraine • 25 Feb

Patricia Reilly's role in Ursula Von der Leyen's cabinet will be coordination and oversight-based

Patricia Reilly to join Von der Leyen cabinet

Irish EU official Patricia Reilly will join Ursula von der Leyen's cabinet on 1 March as the Commission President's advisor on agriculture and health.

Politics • 25 Feb

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas (R) pictured speaking alongside Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar

Israel criticises EU over US resolution on Ukraine

Israel's foreign minister Gideon Saar has criticised European Union member states for not backing the US resolution at the United Nations which failed to mention Russia's aggression in invading Ukraine or condemn the invasion, RTÉ News understands.

Middle East • 24 Feb

Israeli tanks and bulldozers take positions yesterday evening in the Jenin camp for Palestinian refugees, in the occupied West Bank

Wording in EU statement may allow for OTB, Govt believes

Ireland has secured language in a key EU communique which the Government believes will support its handling of the Occupied Territories Bill and possibly ease the bill's potential conflict with EU law.

Politics • 24 Feb

Election posters, including of the Volt party and the far-right AfD hang from lampposts in Berlin

Germany votes amid geopolitical upheaval

Germany goes to the polls tomorrow amid a period of unprecedented national and geopolitical upheaval.

Analysis and Comment • 27 Feb