EU leaders sign joint statement in support of Ukraine – Europe live | World news
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France detained a person for allegedly spying on a drone factory on behalf of Russia
In other news French authorities have detained and charged a Belarusian-born man on suspicion of spying for Russia on a French drone manufacturer. Paris prosecutor’s office said.
AFP reported The 48-year-old man was arrested on June 3 while “filming a drone prototype belonging to a company that supplies the French and Ukrainian armed forces.”The report added that France’s domestic intelligence agency detected that he “allegedly sent a video to a contact in Russia.”
Prime Minister Babiš confirms Czech Republic will fail to meet 2% GDP defense spending target
Meanwhile, despite the focus on the need to increase defense spending and increasing warnings from the United States, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš confirmed that the Czech Republic will again fail to meet the 2% target.
Reuters reported that Babiš government reduces original defense spending plan for this year to around 1.7-1.8% GDP but Babiš said he was looking for ways to achieve the goal. “That’s not the case anymore,” he said.
“Our government will not cover 2 percent of GDP for defense either.” Babiš said In a post on Facebook. “First we need to get public finances in order.”
Most EU countries call for ‘full use’ of offshore deportation centers for migrants
Jennifer Rankin
Brussels correspondent
Separately a A majority of EU member states have called for “full use” of new facilities for offshore deportation centers for people who do not have the right to remain in the bloc.
In a letter issued by Denmark Mette Frederiksen and Italy Giorgia Meloni, 19 Member states call for action to establish return centers in other countries “as soon as possible”
letter Addressing the heads of EU institutions and EU leaders It calls for support, including financial support, from member states to establish return centres. UN agencies, including the UN Refugee Agency and the International Organization for Migration, are also asked to step in.
Earlier this month, EU lawmakers have agreed on a regulation that will speed up the deportation of people who do not have the right to stay. a law that also creates the possibility of overseas “return centres”.
EU member states are in talks with some African countries to host such centers, but no announcement has been made so far. Return centers will be for people who have been rejected for asylum in the EU until they can return to their home countries. The model contradicts Italy’s original agreement with Albania, under which asylum seekers were to be detained in the Balkan country while their claims were assessed. However, after legal challenges, the Italian government changed the scope to ensure that Albanian centers accommodate people facing deportation orders.
The letter said:
“Some initiatives, such as the Italy-Albania cooperation, are already in operation. Other countries are now trying to implement new possibilities, including centers in third countries.” We will personally lead the realization of our visions.”
Many major member states are conspicuous by their absence from the letter: France, Germany and Spain.
Irishman Martin congratulates presumed UK PM candidate on by-election victory
Irishman Martin also congratulated Andy Burnham on his UK by-election victory last night. He said it showed “what is possible, despite all the fragmentation and difficulties in modern politics”.
By-elections were followed closely European leaders are considering whether there will be a leadership challenge or change in the UK this summer.
Speaking ahead of the second day of the EU summit in Brussels, Martin said:
“Well, just I congratulate him on his success. I know Andy, I’ve met him a few times. He took a particular interest in Ireland and came to see us many times, particularly because of the economy and his role as mayor of Manchester.
happened A solid victory in the by-election shows what is possible, despite all the fragmentation and difficulties in modern politics. When you run a good, effective campaign, things can happen.
I wish him success in his life as a member of parliament. and beyond that I have no further comment to make.
Martin also said He was looking forward to the UK-EU summit planned for July.
“We believe a lot of things can happen there. In terms of SPS, in terms of the ETS agreement, perhaps there has been progress on the electricity market agreement, but we will see.
And We believe that later youth exchange and youth experience programs will be very good in both respects Young Britons have greater access to the European Union for travel, education and similar matters, and vice versa for European students. “I think this would be something that all young people would welcome.”
Ireland’s Martin says progress on budget ‘imperative’ but expects disagreements on agriculture
Not many leaders showed up to comment on the doorstep this morning – and can you Really Are you going to blame them after only sleeping for a few hours?
However Micheál Martin arrived from Ireland to tell reporters “it is imperative that we continue to make progress” with this budget.
However He also made it clear that agriculture was a major sticking point, Some countries are unhappy with the proposed allocation.
“It was clear that many member states were keen to slightly improve their draft budget proposals on agriculture, but It will be very challenging because there are so many competing demandshe said and added: “There is [already] “There are people who believe the budget is too high.”
Martin also praised Zelenskyy’s presentation last night He described it as “one of the most important presentations he has ever made” to EU leaders.
Echoing the leaders’ statements, he said: There is no sign from Russia that it would be willing to participate in the proposed peace process.
However, he still supported calls for establishing a diplomatic channel with Russia.
“We’ve got some distance to go before we get there [to negotiations]However In my view, given our own experience in conflict resolution, opening channels is not something we would criticize or be negative.
Merz said the EU should not borrow more as budget debate begins in Brussels
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz tried to determine the course of discussions on the bloc’s new 2028-2034 budget: opposes proposed increase in spending.
When we come to the second day of the talks Merz says EU should not be “dragged into further indebtedness” AFP reported.
“We shouldn’t do this.”
Political Budget negotiations are expected to last several months.
Morning opening: EU joins G7 in bid to increase pressure on Russia
Yakup Krupa
After a long time, LONG Overnight in Brussels, EU leaders signed a joint declaration of support for Ukraine – The first agreement signed by all 27 member states since March 2025.
I think we can we call it the Magyar effect, after Peter Magyarnew Hungarian prime minister who replaced the notoriously obstructionist government Viktor Orbán.
The statement is very similar to the statement G7 released earlier this weekHe stands with Ukraine and calls on Russia to join the peace process.
“Unable to achieve its military and strategic goals, Russia intensified its missile and drone attacks. Against Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure.
The European Council calls on Russia to show a sincere willingness to pursue peace. We must agree to a full, unconditional and immediate ceasefire and engage in meaningful negotiations towards a just and lasting peace. …
European Union remains Determined to further increase pressure on Russia “Continue to weaken Russia’s war economy so that Russia will stop its brutal war of aggression and engage in meaningful negotiations for peace.”
On the contrary There is little appetite for direct talks with Russia. Among some leaders, they are not mentioned in the results.
Teary-eyed leaders are already back in the room this morning and discussing another controversial issue: The EU’s next financial agreement.
It will be much more difficult to reach an agreement hereand it seems unlikely that we will see binding decisions today.
One way or another, We’ll hear from leaders later today, when their conversation is over.
I will give all the details here.
His Friday, June 19, 2026his Yakup Krupa here and this Europe Live.
Good morning.
