Nato summit begins with focus on defence spending as Zelenskyy and Trump due to meet – Europe live | Nato
important events
At least 18 people were injured in the explosion near the hotel where Macron was staying in Damascus
We are receiving the first reports from Damascus that at least 18 people, including four police officers, were injured in the previously reported explosions.
A Syrian security source told AFP that one of the bombs was placed in a trash bin and the other in a vehicle near the Four Seasons Hotel, where Macron spent the night.
The explosions were the second since Thursday, when a bomb attack on a cafe in Damascus killed 10 people.
The Élysée Palace previously confirmed this Macron was unaffected and safe (10:09) and continued his program.
NATO announces plans to invest in antidrone and surveillance capabilities
Meanwhile, in Ankara, NATO continues to announce its new investments with exciting dynamically adjusted videos to stock Music, including $40 billion worth of antidrone capability.
Rutte said the alliance would buy up to 10 Saab GlobalEye surveillance plans to replace its fleet of aging AWACS early warning planes, preferring the Swedish company over US plane maker Boeing, Reuters reported.
NATO will also purchase up to five Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton high-altitude surveillance aircraft; Norway, Finland, Germany and Denmark will sign a letter of intent for the acquisition.
Rutte said the allies will also work together to purchase, store, transport and manage stocks of critical defense materials.
It was reported that there was an explosion in Damascus, Syria, during France’s Macron visit
I also follow the news of the explosion in Damascus, Syria, shortly after French President Emmanuel Macron entered the presidential palace to meet with Syrian President Ahmed Al Shara.
It was reported that the explosions occurred near the Four Seasons Hotel, where Macron spent the night.
However, the Élysée Palace said Macron was safe and did not hear the explosions. for he had already set out to meet al-Sharaa.
I will bring you more on this topic when we learn more.
Europe faces possibility that US will not be able to arm NATO allies
Andrew Roth
in washington
Concerns are growing in Europe that the US defense industrial base is no longer supplying promised weapons to NATO allies The depletion of US stocks due to conflicts in Ukraine and Iran caused allies to arm themselves and consider new ways to defend themselves.
While NATO leaders, including US President Donald Trump, came together in Ankara, The United States plans to address concerns about Europe’s defense spending and the Trump administration’s future commitment to the military alliance.
The United States has delayed or canceled a number of major arms shipments to countries in Europe this year. They include Tomahawk cruise missiles, Himars mobile rocket cannons, and Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles, of which the United States had used an estimated 50% of its weapons through April of this year during its war with Iran.
These are vital against the threat of missile attacks on Ukraine and will also be essential for the defense of Europe in the event of an armed conflict with Russia.
Famines also angered European capitals. These countries are quietly simmering as they try to avoid direct conflict with the Trump administration to prevent a broader collapse in transatlantic relations.
Morning opener: NATO summit begins with focus on spending, capabilities
Yakup Krupa
NATO leaders, including pessimistic US President Donald Trump, will meet in Ankara today and tomorrow for the final round of talks on transatlantic defence.
As our defense and security editor Dan Sabbagh Given his propensity for outbursts of anger at allies, he says, “there has been a significant effort behind the scenes to shield what’s going on in Ankara from Trump.”
In one particularly amusing paragraph, Dan says:
“Trump is expected to bring 1,400 people to Türkiye, including those who bring back toilet waste – A standard protocol that would prevent other countries from analyzing the material for intelligence about his health. “Given that Trump has occasionally flirted with the idea of leaving NATO, including at a summit in 2018, the US coming in large numbers is seen as a relief.”
The day starts with the NATO Defense Industry Forum. a trade summit covering recent Allied announcements of new capabilities, including the strategic airlift of transport aircraft and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance machinery.
But the real drama will begin this afternoonUS President Trump and Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in front of the summit.
We should hear from Zelenskyy later today and see Trump when he comes to Türkiye and this evening he heads to the Presidential Palace for early talks before the official dinner.
BUT, BUT, BUT… We expect a big development in France too, Where Marine Le Pen, France’s far-right figure and one of the leading candidates in the presidential race, will learn on Tuesday whether she will be able to participate in next year’s elections. When an appeals court in Paris ruled on an attempt to overturn a ban on holding elected office.
Last year, Le Pen was banned from public office for five years and sentenced to four years in prison. He was suspended for two years for embezzling European Parliament funds. Today we will learn the outcome of his appeal.
Like Jon Henley Reports from Paris,
“The decision will determine whether the far-right National Rally (RN) candidate can replace outgoing president Emmanuel Macron. It will be the 57-year-old veteran Le Pen or her younger protégé. Jordan Bardella, 30.”
The court is expected to announce its decision in the afternoon – around 13.30 local time, which is 12.30 London time – and it will probably be a while before we know all the details. We will present you the latest developments here.
A lot for us to consider today. Stay with us throughout the day.
His Tuesday, July 7, 2026his Yakup Krupa here and this Europe Live.
Good morning.
