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Andrew Gray

@andrewramsaygray.bsky.social

6.6K followers 1.4K following 150 posts

European Affairs Editor at Reuters, covering EU & NATO from Brussels. Previously: Lanark, London, Germany, Geneva, Balkans, Iraq, West Africa & Washington. Ex-Politico editor/podcaster.

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Andrew Gray @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social · 6d

3. Hungary keeps its roadblock on Ukraine’s EU path - but EU leaders & officials are working to find ways around it.

There's a lot EU Commission can do to advise Ukraine & help with reforms - even if Kyiv doesn’t get to open formal 'chapters' in the process.

To be continued in Brussels, Oct 23-24.

Andrew Gray @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social · 6d

2. There will be a European anti-drone initiative.

Tbd: Whether it will still be called a ‘drone wall’, how much it evolves, who’s in charge.

But there's broad agreement, given recent scares, that Europe needs to get better quickly at countering drones.

EU leaders to discuss 'drone wall' in Denmark, days after airspace violations

European Union leaders will discuss proposals for a "drone wall" to protect the continent at a summit on Wednesday in Copenhagen, just days after airspace intrusions by unidentified unmanned aircraft forced a temporary closure of Danish airports.

www.reuters.com

Andrew Gray @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social · 6d

3 observations from 2 days of European summits in Copenhagen:

1. Proposal to use Russian frozen assets for a big loan to Ukraine has legs.

Won’t be easy to get over the line. Belgian PM De Wever gave punchy warnings of dangers and difficulties.

But a lot of leaders want to push ahead.

Belgium says EU leaders must share risk to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine

Belgium's Prime Minister Bart De Wever said on Thursday he asked other European Union leaders to give guarantees they would share the risks if frozen Russian assets held in his country were used to finance loans to Ukraine.

www.reuters.com

Andrew Gray @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social · 7d

Good morning from Copenhagen, where EU leaders meet in the midst of drone anxiety.

On the agenda: European defence and support for Ukraine.

European Commission says it has answers - 'drone wall' and a big loan to Kyiv using frozen Russian assets.

But both pose many questions.

Our preview:

EU leaders to discuss 'drone wall' in Denmark, days after airspace violations

European Union leaders will discuss proposals for a "drone wall" to protect the continent at a summit on Wednesday in Copenhagen, just days after airspace intrusions by unidentified unmanned aircraft forced a temporary closure of Danish airports.

www.reuters.com

Andrew Gray @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social · 12d

If you're more of an audio person, the original episode is below.

My contribution is very much the "and finally" item, about 22 mins in.

www.bbc.com/audio/play/p...

BBC Audio | From Our Own Correspondent | The Smell of History

A whiff of history in a shop in old Belgrade.

Andrew Gray @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social · 12d

Happy 70th birthday to the BBC's From Our Own Correspondent radio show.

I had the pleasure of contributing a few pieces some years back. This is the online magazine version of my favourite - the BBC called the episode "The Smell of History".

www.bbc.com/news/magazin...

The last perfumer of Belgrade

In the 1950s, the perfume industry boomed in Belgrade - now, there is only one perfume shop left in the Serbian capital. Andrew Gray went to visit.

Andrew Gray @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social · 15d

NATO warns Russia to stop 'escalatory' actions after Estonian airspace violation

Story with @liliebayer.bsky.social

NATO warns Russia to stop 'escalatory' actions after Estonian airspace violation

NATO warned Russia on Tuesday that it would use "all necessary military and non-military tools" to defend itself as it condemned Moscow for violating Estonian airspace in "a pattern of increasingly irresponsible behaviour".

www.reuters.com

Andrew Gray @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social · 20d

Spoke to EU defence commissioner @andriuskubilius.ec.europa.eu, who plans a videoconference next week on creating 'drone wall' on eastern border.

"We want really to move ahead with very, very intensive and effective preparations to start to fill this gap, which is really very dangerous for us."

www.reuters.com

Andrew Gray @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social · 28d

After its aircraft intercepted drones in Polish airspace overnight, NATO sought to reassure citizens that everything had gone as it should.

But analysts say the incident raised questions about why the drones were able to enter NATO airspace and the alliance's ability to deter such threats.

Suspected Russian incursion in Poland raises drone defence questions for NATO

After NATO aircraft intercepted drones in Polish airspace overnight, the Western military alliance sought to reassure its citizens on Wednesday that everything had gone as it should.

www.reuters.com

Andrew Gray @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social · Aug 30

Another dispatch from Copenhagen:

EU won't confiscate frozen Russian assets for now - but will look at how to use them to help Ukraine after war.

Kallas says it's "unthinkable that Russia will ever see this money again unless it fully compensates Ukraine".

EU to work on using frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine after war

The European Union will examine how to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's defence and reconstruction after the war but confiscating them now is not politically realistic, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Saturday.

www.reuters.com

Andrew Gray @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social · Aug 30

"If you don't have a unified voice ... on this topic, we don't have a voice on the global scene. So that's definitely very problematic."

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on EU divisions on Gaza.

My report from Copenhagen:

EU ministers split over Gaza in Copenhagen meeting

European Union foreign ministers on Saturday were deeply split over the war in Gaza, with some calling for the EU to apply strong economic pressure on Israel while others made clear they were unwilling to go that far.

www.reuters.com

Andrew Gray @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social · Aug 1

EU foreign policy...

Reposted by Andrew Gray

Lili Bayer @liliebayer.bsky.social · Jul 28

New: European Commissioners are discussing today a proposal to partially suspend Israel's access to the EU's Horizon research funding program following calls from EU governments to increase pressure on Israel over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

EU Commission discusses curbs on Israel research funding amid Gaza pressure

European Commissioners will on Monday discuss a proposal to partially suspend Israel's access to the EU's Horizon research funding program following calls from EU governments to increase pressure on Israel over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

www.reuters.com

Andrew Gray @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social · Jul 27

Interesting reaction from @eucopresident.consilium.europa.eu to US-EU trade deal. He welcomes it but adds this:

"Let’s build on this outcome by further strengthening the EU’s competitiveness and expanding our global trade network."

Andrew Gray @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social · Jul 27

U.S. and EU agree deal imposing a 15% U.S. import tariff on most EU goods but averting trade war between two of the world's biggest economies.

US and EU clinch deal with broad 15% tariffs on EU goods to avert trade war

The deal, which includes a 15% tariff on EU goods entering the U.S. and significant EU purchases of U.S. energy and military equipment, will bring welcome clarity for EU companies though many in Europe will see it as a poor outcome.

www.reuters.com

Andrew Gray @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social · Jul 27

"We'll probably know in about an hour. Shouldn't take that long," Trump says on prospects of an EU-US trade deal with Ursula von der Leyen.

Andrew Gray @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social · Jul 27

Back in my homeland as Donald Trump and Ursula von der Leyen try to seal a US-EU trade deal.

Latest story here, with top colleagues: www.reuters.com/business/tru...

Keep an eye on @reuters.com for news and analysis from the meeting.

Andrew Gray @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social · Jul 26

Emmanuel Macron's announcement that France will recognise a Palestinian state in September has caused diplomatic ructions from the Middle East through Europe to Washington.

But it did not come out of the blue.

Inside story from top team @irishjreuters.bsky.social & @michelrose.bsky.social

Frustration, Gaza alarm drove Macron to go it alone on Palestine recognition

Emmanuel Macron's announcement caused diplomatic ructions from the Middle East and Europe to Washington - but it did not come out of the blue.

www.reuters.com

Andrew Gray @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social · Jul 15

EU's Kaja Kallas welcomes Trump plan for NATO allies to buy US arms for Ukraine - but wishes US would "share burden".

"If we pay for these weapons, it's our support ... If you promise to give the weapons, but say that somebody else ... is going to pay for it, it's not really given by you, is it?"

Andrew Gray @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social · Jul 11

ICYMI, our story from yesterday afternoon:

EU diplomatic service has outlined options for political action against Israel over human rights concerns, in a document seen by Reuters.

(Whether the EU is willing to pursue any of them will be clearer after a foreign ministers’ meeting on Tuesday.)

EU outlines options for political action against Israel on human rights

The European Union's diplomatic service on Thursday presented 10 options for political action against Israel after it found "indications" last month that Israel breached human rights obligations under a pact governing its ties with the bloc.

www.reuters.com

Andrew Gray @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social · Jun 26

One more spin for our analysis from NATO's summit in The Hague.

👉 NATO's Trump flattery buys time but dodges tough questions - www.reuters.com/business/aer...

Andrew Gray @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social · Jun 25

All of NATO, including US, 'totally committed' to keeping Ukraine in the fight, NATO boss Mark Rutte told me after the Hague summit.

All NATO, including US, 'totally committed' to keeping Ukraine in fight, Rutte says

The whole of NATO, including the United States, is "totally committed" to keeping Ukraine in the fight against Russia's invasion, alliance Secretary General Mark Rutte told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday.

www.reuters.com

Andrew Gray @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social · Jun 25

Our analysis of NATO's Hague summit:

Lavishing praise, playing the royal card and copying his slogans – NATO pulled out all the stops to keep Donald Trump happy and hold the alliance together.

The strategy paid off - but largely avoided vital issues that NATO will have to confront down the line.

NATO's Trump flattery buys time but dodges tough questions

Lavishing praise, playing the royal card and copying his slogans – NATO pulled out all the stops to keep Donald Trump happy and hold the alliance together at a summit in The Hague.

www.reuters.com

Andrew Gray @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social · Jun 25

NATO Hague summit need to know from Team Reuters:

Main story below 👇

Defence spending explainer: www.reuters.com/business/aer...

Rutte profile: www.reuters.com/world/europe...

NATO leaders set to back Trump defence spending goal at Hague summit

NATO leaders gather in The Hague on Wednesday for a summit tailor-made for U.S. President Donald Trump, with European allies hoping a pledge to hike defence spending will prompt him to dispel doubts about his commitment to the alliance.

www.reuters.com

Andrew Gray @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social · Jun 23

Greetings from The Hague.

NATO aims keep the alliance together at a summit here by keeping Donald Trump happy.

That means agreeing a big new defence spending goal.

But Spain says it doesn't have to meet the target.

And US military strikes on Iran add more uncertainty into the mix.

Preview 👇

Hague NATO summit aims to focus on Trump's spending goal but Iran looms large

The NATO alliance has crafted a summit in The Hague this week to shore itself up by satisfying U.S. President Donald Trump with a big new defence spending goal - but it now risks being dominated by the repercussions of his military strikes on Iran.

www.reuters.com