Overview
- EU leaders agreed on a political playbook to handle a volatile Washington, signaling calm responses to provocations, potential tariff retaliation, and a drive to cut military and economic dependence.
- Concrete steps advanced this week include the announcement of an EU‑India trade agreement and an EU move toward loans for eight countries to upgrade military infrastructure.
- NATO is scoping a nascent Arctic Sentry concept while European militaries expand High North activity, though officials caution planning is early and internal divisions could slow progress.
- The Netherlands says it will meet a 5% of GDP security target and Poland’s 2026 defense outlays approach 5% of GDP, with Warsaw prioritizing eastern‑flank air defenses and procurement after talks at Ramstein.
- Germany’s Boris Pistorius urged greater European sovereignty without abandoning the U.S. nuclear umbrella, as NATO’s Mark Rutte warned Europe cannot yet defend itself without the U.S. and Russia’s Alexander Grushko cast alliance moves as preparation for confrontation.