NATO needs to focus on southern flank to counter Russia, Italy says
NATO needs a stronger focus on the south and Africa, Italy's prime minister told a news conference on Thursday, saying Russia might boost its presence in eastern Libya after the collapse of its allied regime in Syria.
Viktor Orban's challenger sees strong EU, NATO ties, 'pragmatic' approach to Russia
Peter Magyar, the opposition challenger to Prime Minister Viktor Orban, told Reuters he would keep Hungary firmly anchored in the European Union and NATO if he wins elections due in early 2026 and would strive for "pragmatic relations" with Russia.

NATO, Trump

Analysis-NATO won't back Trump's new defence spending target but will raise its sights
Top UK Official Backs Trump's Call for Increased NATO Defense Spending
NATO's current target for members' defense spending is 2 percent of their country's GDP. Trump has repeatedly called on the alliance to increase this amount.
Europe Doubts Trump Could Make NATO Spend 5% Of GDP On Defence
Incoming US president Donald Trump has demanded NATO countries massively ramp up defence spending to five percent of GDP -- more than double the current target -- but few in Europe see the figure as feasible.
NATO Beefs Up Baltic Presence With Extra Ships Amid Russia Threat
NATO will deploy 10 more ships to shield vital undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea after a string of possible sabotage incidents, according to a new report.Newsweek has contacted NATO and the Russian Defense Ministry via email.
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FM: Nato to deploy two ships to patrol the Baltic
Nato's presence in the Baltic will be "calming and stabilising", according to Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen (NCP).
Zelensky Calls on NATO Allies to Deploy Troops in Ukraine
Tensions with Russia continue to escalate as the Ukrainian president shifts tactics and asks allies for help on the ground.
U.S. announces more Ukraine aid as Zelenskyy calls for NATO to deploy troops to "force Russia into peace"
Ukraine's leader says partners sending ground troops would help "force Russia into peace," as America's European allies ponder Trump's next move.
Trump says he sympathizes with Russia's opposition to NATO membership for Ukraine
President-elect Donald Trump said on Tuesday he sympathized with the Russian position that Ukraine should not be part of NATO, and he lamented that he will not meet Russian President Vladimir Putin before his inauguration.
Russia's devastating glide-bomb attacks are down, but they remain a serious problem for Ukraine
Ukraine's long-range drone strikes on airbases and ammunition depots inside Russia have reduced the glide-bomb threat.
Zelensky Reacts to Donald Trump Blaming Putin's Invasion on NATO
Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Donald Trump's statements that the war began due to Joe Biden's support of Kyiv joining NATO.
Trump says he can "understand Russia's feelings" about Ukraine's NATO aspirations
US President-elect Donald Trump has said he can "understand the Russians' feelings" about Joe Biden allegedly breaking a "deal" to deny Ukraine NATO membership. Source: Trump at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on 7 January,
Russia monitoring Trump’s ‘dramatic’ comments on Greenland acquisition
The Kremlin said Thursday they are monitoring President-elect Donald Trump's "dramatic" comments over his desire to acquire Greenland amid other expansionist remarks, including the Panama Canal and Canada.