‘Each day counts’: EU scrambles to seal defence industry deal European parliamentarians, EU member states and Commission mediators are in the thick of talks aimed at bolstering the bloc’s defence industry by cutting down on bureaucracy. Despite the political will for the continent to rearm itself, significant divisions have emerged on the details of delivery. Euronews · May 19
NATO Reportedly Discussing Operation To Reopen Strait Of Hormuz If It's Not Reopened By July NATO is reportedly considering an operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if the key waterway remains closed by July, according to a new report. International Business Times · May 19
How a broke, outgunned nation turned cheap drones into the most feared weapon on Earth Drone warfare: Russia-Ukraine war has reached extreme intensity with nearly 10,000 drones used daily across frontlines. This rapid drone warfare Russia-Ukraine war shift shows how cheap FPV drones and loitering munitions now dominate real combat decisions. Every strike is faster, cheaper, and more precise than traditional weapons. The drone warfare… The Economic Times · May 19
Ukraine drone shot down by NATO jet over Estonia Kyiv has blamed Moscow for steering one of its drones over Estonia, where it was shot down by a NATO jet. AAP · May 19
NATO's top officer doesn't expect more American drawdowns beyond the 5,000 troops Trump announced NATO’s top military officer says he doesn’t expect any more drawdowns of American troops from Europe — at least not anytime soon — beyond the 5,000 that U.S. President Donald Trump announced would leave the continent The Independent UK · May 19
Top commander says 'thinking' about NATO role in Strait of Hormuz NATO's top commander is considering how the alliance could assist in the Strait of Hormuz, though no formal planning has commenced. European nations, led by Britain and France, are exploring options to keep the crucial waterway open following its closure. The Economic Times · May 19
The Independent UK · May 19 Ukraine war briefing: Russia issues warning over direct conflict with Nato IN FULL
The Guardian - UK · May 19 Russian jamming blamed after Nato jet downs Ukrainian drone over Estonia Officials from Baltic states say Moscow behind latest such incident but also tell Kyiv to be more careful with its routing
Barchart · May 19 Crude Oil Prices Pressured on Hopes Diplomacy Can End US-Iran War June WTI crude oil (CLM26 ) today is down -0.45 (-0.41%), and June RBOB gasoline (RBM26 ) is down -0.0885 (-2.35%). Crude oil and gasoline prices are under pressure today from a stronger dollar, as the dollar index ($DXY ) jumped to a 6-week high. Crude prices are also moving...
The Times of India · May 19 Months after snubbing Trump’s ‘Operation Epic Fury’, Nato weighs Hormuz mission to protect ships NATO is considering deploying forces to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz if the blockade persists into July, a move that would significantly alter the alliance's stance on the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Growing economic pressure from soaring energy prices is driving this reconsideration, with leaders set to discuss…
Euronews · May 19 NATO fighter jet downs stray Ukrainian drone over Estonia For the first time, a NATO fighter jet shot down what is believed to have been a stray Ukrainian drone over the Baltic country. Ukraine apologised for the “unintended incident”, while Russia threatened retaliation.
The Independent UK · May 19 NATO jet shoots down what’s believed to be a Ukrainian drone over Estonia Authorities say a Romanian F-16 jet belonging to NATO air policing forces in the Baltics have shot down what is believed to have been a Ukrainian drone over southern Estonia
The Economic Times · May 19 NATO jet shoots down stray Ukrainian drone in Estonia A NATO fighter jet shot down a Ukrainian drone in Estonian airspace after it was reportedly diverted by Russian jamming. This marks the first such interception in a Baltic state since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Ukrainian defence minister apologized for the incident, which occurred during NATO exercises.
The Independent UK · May 19 Russia begins massive nuclear drills involving missiles and submarines as Putin visits China The three-day exercise will involve 64,000 troops as Ukraine steps up drone attacks
Euronews · May 19 Malaysia seeks €216m compensation from Norwegian firm over scrapped missile deal Delivery of the Naval Strike Missile system as well as launcher components was revoked that had been destined for Malaysia's littoral combat ship programme under the terms of a 2018 deal.
Euronews · May 19 Newsletter: Europe braces for a more hostile economic order Also in this newsletter: NATO military chiefs meet in Brussels amid concerns over weapons shortages.
Radio France Internationale · May 19 Putin visits China after Trump trip fails to shift Xi on Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin was in China on Tuesday for a two-day state visit, just days after Donald Trump completed a closely watched trip to Beijing that produced headlines on trade but no clear breakthrough on Ukraine or Iran.