A round table meeting of NATO foreign minsters has just begun in Brussels, where they're expected to speak about ongoing peace talks, as well as defence issues.
Speaking briefly to the press on arrival, NATO chief Mark Rutte says that while it's good the peace talks are ongoing, NATO has to make sure Ukraine is in the strongest possible position.
He says officials will discuss "keeping Ukraine as strong as possible in the fight today", but also "to be in the strongest possible position when peace talks really start to happen in a way where this could lead to results."
The meeting, one of only two formal ministerials on NATO’s annual calendar, was expected to showcase unity as allies review progress since the Hague Summit and begin preparing for the 2026 summit in Ankara.
Instead, Rubio’s decision to skip the talks – a rarity for a U.S. secretary of state has fueled questions about Washington’s position under U.S. President Donald Trump.
With Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau attending in Rubio’s place, analysts say the U.S. absence will be impossible to ignore at a moment when the alliance is trying to coordinate military support and a political path forward for Kyiv.
The meeting comes as the U.S. pushes allies to narrow differences on a peace proposal drafted with input from Washington and Moscow – a document that has triggered widespread criticism in Europe for appearing overly aligned with Russian demands.
Much of Wednesday’s closed-door debate is expected to center on the peace plan, which European and Ukrainian officials have spent the past two weeks rewriting.
European leaders insist that only Ukraine can decide on its own territories, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says security guarantees and preserving sovereignty are top priorities.
The initial draft included language suggesting limitations on NATO expansion, caps on the size of the Ukrainian military and the de-facto recognition of Russian control over large swathes of Ukrainian territory – provisions that prompted sharp pushback from European capitals.
‘More aggressive’ posture on hybrid threats
The ministers will also discuss what NATO officials say is a surge in suspected Russian hybrid operations across Europe.
Recent months have seen drones allegedly linked to Russia violate airspace in Poland and Romania, unexplained drone disruptions at airports and military sites in Western Europe, and the sabotage of a key rail line between Warsaw and Kyiv in November.
The ministers are also expected to review Operation Eastern Sentry – a plan to bolster defences on the alliance’s eastern flank, which was activated after Poland claimed Russian drones violated its airspace in September.
Another key focus will be sustaining military support for Ukraine, including coordination through the NATO-Ukraine Council with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
Ukraine’s Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal met NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels on Monday, urging additional air defence systems as Russian missile and drone barrages continue.
Radio contact was lost with a jet carrying Libya’s army chief of staff, Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, shortly after it took off from Ankara, the Tur...
The economic and political relationship between Azerbaijan and Türkiye has been on an upward trajectory, with both countries strengthening their ties...
In the midst of political tensions and a looming budget crisis in France, the government is grappling with the intricacies of passing an emergency bil...
Afghanistan and Iran have signed an implementation plan to strengthen regulation of food, medicine, and health products based on a 2023 cooperation ag...
Current security challenges and ongoing geopolitical shifts were the focus of the annual Georgia Ambassadors' Conference taking place from 22 - 25 Dec...
Current security challenges and ongoing geopolitical shifts were the focus of the annual Georgia Ambassadors' Conference taking place from 22 - 25 December in Tbilisi.
Armenia–NATO talks were held in Yerevan as Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska to discuss cooperation and regional security in the South Caucasus.
Europe launched an International Claims Commission for Ukraine on Tuesday in an effort to ensure Kyiv is compensated for hundreds of billions of dollars in damage from Russian attacks and alleged war crimes.
Hungary has strongly criticised NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte’s warning that Russia could be capable of attacking the alliance within five years, with Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó describing the remarks as irresponsible and dangerous.
Vince Zampella, co-creator of the Call of Duty gaming franchise, has died in a car crash involving a Ferrari crash on Monday in Los Angeles, United States.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is monitoring recent Iranian military exercises and will raise the issue with U.S. President Donald Trump during his visit to Washington next week.
The European Union stands at a crossroads: to receive new members and accelerate the enlargement process in order to strengthen its role in the international arena, or to risk strategic stagnation by delaying expansion in favor of internal reform.
Paramount has reaffirmed its bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, offering $30 per share in cash and backing the proposal with a $40.4 billion personal equity guarantee from billionaire Larry Ellison, despite the target company’s board urging shareholders to reject the offer.
U.S. President Donald Trump has approved plans to construct a new class of battleships, which he described as larger, faster and significantly more powerful than any previous U.S. warship.
Radio contact was lost with a jet carrying Libya’s army chief of staff, Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, shortly after it took off from Ankara, the Turkish capital, en route to Tripoli, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported on Tuesday.
In the midst of political tensions and a looming budget crisis in France, the government is grappling with the intricacies of passing an emergency bill ahead of the Christmas period.
As the year comes to a close, questions remain about the sustainability of European Union support for Ukraine. Political analyst Orkhan Nabiyev, speaking to AnewZ from Baku, expressed confidence that EU backing will hold firm into 2026.
Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments to China have surged by 1.6 million tonnes in November marking a 143% increase from the same period last year.
The European Union has released €2.3 billion in financial aid to Ukraine to support urgent social and civil infrastructure needs. According to political analyst Orkhan Nabiyev, this move reflects the EU’s assessment that a peace deal with Russia is unlikely in the near future.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment