European Union, member states and Agencies

[Big_Zucchini]

The EU may some day have leadership that understands the meaning of security. Today is not that day.
EU MFA referring to the hostage rescue operation as a massacre:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1799487341028942301

 

[SolarisKenzo]

That's your opinion.
I don't like Borrell, he's an old man from the past that has no place in today's world.
But I like what Israel is doing even less.

Destroying Gaza and killing thousands and thousands of Palestinians is surely a way to guarantee your country will never have peace.

What Hamas did is horrendous, but at this point, is Israel any different?
You are not destroying Hamas, you are securing his future.

 

[Big_Zucchini]

That's your opinion.
I don't like Borrell, he's an old man from the past that has no place in today's world.
But I like what Israel is doing even less.

Destroying Gaza and killing thousands and thousands of Palestinians is surely a way to guarantee your country will never have peace.

What Hamas did is horrendous, but at this point, is Israel any different?
You are not destroying Hamas, you are securing his future.

Since this is not the Israel-Hamas topic but the Euro one, I'll stick to just that. If you want, feel free to ask me those questions in DMs.
The key talking point of anti-Israel voices against the rescue operation is that it allegedly resulted in many casualties.
True or not - I don't know, I don't Hamas claims and basically every "massacre" allegation so far has been thoroughly debunked - practically, rescue operations ARE dangerous and deadly.

A good example of a rescue mission:

Battle of Mogadishu (1993) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

US forces killed anywhere between 133-700 Somalis in the process of rescuing survivors from 2 downed helicopters.
That's just how rescue operations work. You see the target, you go in fast, grab them, and the moment you face resistance you go out guns blazing. Time sensitivity and dangerous proximity mean common procedures are thrown out the window and fire is delivered instantaneously.

Now, correct me if I'm wrong but Borrell isn't just responsible for foreign affairs but also security policy in the EU. For someone in his position to show such deep misunderstanding of the nature of rescue operations - is a serious failure in leadership.
The EU has a crisis on its hands - the Russian-Ukrainian war. It cannot afford to have unprofessional people assume serious posts.

 

[SolarisKenzo]

EU elections preliminary results:
Yesterday at 23:00 the counting started, the results are more less confirmed but some states are still finishing the counting.

Anyway, this is the situation:
The polls predicted a huge win for far-right and possibly the collapse of the current europeist Von der Leyen's Commission.

What actually happened is that while the far-right did improve its numbers, it was not able to achieve any kind of victory and remains a minority.
The President's party, the EPP (European People's Party, the Catholic centre-right, moderate conservative) won big and gained several seats.
The Social Democrats, S&D, holded well.
Renew Europe lost almost 20 seats because of Macron's debacle in France and bad perfomance in Italy.

The real disaster happened to the Green Party, that lost 30% of their seats.

President Ursula Von der Leyen is probably the real winner, she is heading strait for a second term thanks to her party very good result and the fact that the socialdemocrats and Renew, her allies, didn't loose too many seats (Renew did loose a few but their weight is limited compared to EPP and S&D).

Home | 2024 European election results | European Union | European Parliament

Official results of the European elections held between 6 and 9 June 2024.

results.elections.europa.eu

Note: ECR, who's leader is Meloni (Italy's PM) is a right party but with europeists views on some matters.
For example, they are in favour of more European cooperation on energy, defence, migration, banking and capital markets union.

ID is just nationalist and populist trash. The fact that someone does vote ID is just beyond my comprehension.

 

[SolarisKenzo]

Claudio Graziano, One of the highest-ranked military officers in Europe, shot himself and was found dead this morning.
He couldn't handle the death of his wife, as he said in a letter he wrote before killing himself.

He was Chief of Staff of the Italian Army, Chief of Defence Staff, Advisor of the Minister of Defence.
In the EU, he was from 2018 to 2022 Chairman of the European Union Military Committee.

He was currently President/Chairman of the shipbuilding giant Fincantieri.

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/italys-fincantieri-chairman-found-dead-2024-06-17/

Claudio Graziano - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Farewell.

 

[swerve]

RIP.

 

[SolarisKenzo]

The current composition of the European Parliament after post-election alliances.


"Patriots for Europe" is basically ID but with a new name. Nothing new.

 

[SolarisKenzo]

The production of 12 new DHC-515 firefighting planes has started today, bringing the total amount of planes ordered by the EU to 22.
They will join the circa ~75 CL-415 operated by the EU Civil Protection Sistem.

rescEU

rescEU was established as a reserve of European capacities, fully funded by the EU. It includes a fleet of firefighting planes and helicopters, medical evacuation planes, and a stockpile of medical items and field hospitals that can respond to health emergencies.

civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu

 

[John Fedup]

The production of 12 new DHC-515 firefighting planes has started today, bringing the total amount of planes ordered by the EU to 22.
They will join the circa ~75 CL-415 operated by the EU Civil Protection Sistem.

rescEU

rescEU was established as a reserve of European capacities, fully funded by the EU. It includes a fleet of firefighting planes and helicopters, medical evacuation planes, and a stockpile of medical items and field hospitals that can respond to health emergencies.

civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu

Would be nice to see some new DHC-515s for BC and Alberta, perhaps there are some as there is no mention of the EU sale either on DHC’s website.

 

[SolarisKenzo]

I dont know tbh, the EU published the signing of the LOI for 22 planes back in 2022 and then updated the public when the two contracts for 10 + 12 planes were signed.

ECHO coordinates process of building new fleet | UCP Knowledge Network

ECHO coordinates process of building new fleet

civil-protection-knowledge-network.europa.eu

 

[kato]

Would be nice to see some new DHC-515s for BC and Alberta, perhaps there are some as there is no mention of the EU sale either on DHC’s website.

The production run for EU countries is a full restart of the assembly line, with the first 22 aircraft reserved for rescEU. DHC announced at the time that production slots from #23 onwards would be "available for other customers".

The aircraft aren't directly sold by DHC, but instead as government-to-government sales with CCC on behalf of the Canadian government acting as intermediary and DHC's customer. The countries participating in rescEU are signing individual contracts with CCC for part of that overall group btw, e.g. today Spain for 7 of the aircraft.

 

[SolarisKenzo]

Pavel Durov was arrested after landing in Le Bourget, Paris.
His detention is related to ongoing probe in 12 crimes.

Arrest of Telegram's Durov related to ongoing probe into 12 crimes

French prosecutors have outlined 12 alleged violations as part of an ongoing investigation opened in July.

www.euronews.com

Of course, Elon Musk (his social network is currently under investigation by the EU Commission for not following EU laws) couldnt stop himself from posting his usual trashtalking against Europe.
If he is so mad at europeans, he can very well just close his social network here.
I would be very happy to see the open sewer that he calls X closed.
He will, eventually, reach the "find out" point.

Elon Musk must clean up his act - Renew Europe

In light of the recent political violence witnessed on the island of Ireland, and the repeated calls by Elon Musk for civil war in Europe, Renew Europe…

www.reneweuropegroup.eu

 

[SolarisKenzo]

EDA-EIB will cooperate on defence investments.

EU defence agency to advise European Investment Bank on investment priorities

This collaboration aims to “boost financing for Europe’s security and defence capabilities”.

www.euractiv.com

 

[SolarisKenzo]

New defense and security pact between Japan and the EU.

EU and Japan agree 'historic' first security and defence pact

Japan and the European Union announced a new security and defence pact in Tokyo on Friday, an agreement described as a “historic step” by the head...

www.belganewsagency.eu

 

[SolarisKenzo]

Very disenchanted and cold reactions from Europe as Donald Trump is once again the President of the US.
Tomorrow the EPC will meet in Budapest to discuss the future of European politics.
Also, it is not a coincidence that the EU Parliament decided to audition the new EU Defence Commissioner today.
I am personally quite disappointed by the result. I hope the EU can finally make a step forward in political and defence integration. The world is going forward with of without us.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1854105128636182760

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1854130918044127635

 

[Fredled]

Very disenchanted and cold reactions from Europe as Donald Trump is once again the President of the US.

Democrats have always been more friendly with Europe, al thought on an uneven manner.
Donald Trump doesn't know Europe, is not interested in Europe and just think about raising tariffs to fix the the US foreign trade balance.
Like many, he thinks that the EU is a mistake and that it's going to fail. But we hear that for 25 years already.
_____________________

How unthinkable do you think it is for the British Army to shoot British civilians on British soil? Just give them the right circumstances.
Are you calling US uncivilized? What do you mean by "each other"? What other is "thinkable"?

That's completely unthinkable. Nobody in Europe with a healthy brain would think of using military power against neighbouring countries or their own population or to try to overthrow the government by force. The last war in Europe ended 30 years ago, in the Balkan. Today it's very unlikely that it will start again.

Bombing is all good but you draw the line at invading? SF and bombing still good for you? What is the difference between invaded and "really invaded"?

Please read what I wrote and don't say what I didn't say.

 

[rsemmes]

That's completely unthinkable. Nobody in Europe with a healthy brain would think of using military power against neighbouring countries or their own population or to try to overthrow the government by force. The last war in Europe ended 30 years ago, in the Balkan. Today it's very unlikely that it will start again.

Your certainty doesn't seem to be based on History.

Let's imagine for a moment that Putin started an air war (LBJ/Vietnam) instead of an invasion. One year of missiles and bombs (like now) and a 20km no man's land from the Russian border through artillery. Your argument is that you would be happy (sorry, not that outraged) with that because there was no invasion (or being "really invaded", I am still waiting for you to explain the difference.)
I think you made your point quiet clear with your comment about Crimea, your "no matter what". It is not what is done, but who did it: Russia, and only Russia.

I am also waiting for your answer to why Zelensky is fighting this war when his soldier are so smart not to fight the war.
(And yes, Putin decided, being an African president and all that.)

EDIT
Your "No matter how Crimea ended up belonging to Ukraine ..."

 

[personaldesas]

Your certainty doesn't seem to be based on History.

Let's imagine for a moment that Putin started an air war (LBJ/Vietnam) instead of an invasion. One year of missiles and bombs (like now) and a 20km no man's land from the Russian border through artillery. Your argument is that you would be happy (sorry, not that outraged) with that because there was no invasion (or being "really invaded", I am still waiting for you to explain the difference.)
I think you made your point quiet clear with your comment about Crimea, your "no matter what". It is not what is done, but who did it: Russia, and only Russia.

I am also waiting for your answer to why Zelensky is fighting this war when his soldier are so smart not to fight the war.
(And yes, Putin decided, being an African president and all that.)

EDIT
Your "No matter how Crimea ended up belonging to Ukraine ..."

@Fredled @rsemmes maybe it’s time to take your exchange to PMs. It feels like neither of you are really making good faith arguments anymore. Looking at this comment, it’s mostly just cynicism now, devoid of any actual content, and honestly, it’s not very helpful or interesting for anyone else in the discussion.

 

[rsemmes]

Thank you, @personaldesas.
Maybe that's my point, the cynicism of politics, not only of Russian politics.

Content:
SK is considering providing weapons to Ukraine now. Has the right or wrong of the situation change? No, but SK interests in that conflict have. Not to mention the cynicism of providing ammo to US to be provided to Ukraine while keeping your hands clean.

 

[personaldesas]

Brussels to free up billions of euros for defence and security from EU budget.

Brussels to free up billions of euros for defence and security from EU budget

Policy shift will allow the bloc’s capitals to redirect ‘cohesion funds’ amid Ukraine conflict and Trump victory

www.ft.com

Russia’s ever-deepening belligerence, Ukraine’s deteriorating position and Mr Trump’s possible return to the White House have brought Europe to its most dangerous juncture in decades. The question is not just whether America will abandon Ukraine, but whether it might abandon Europe. For Europe to fill the space left by America’s absence would require much more than increased defence spending. It would have to revitalise its arms industry, design a new nuclear umbrella and come up with a new command structure.

Can Europe defend itself without America?

It would need to replace military aid, a nuclear umbrella and leadership

www.economist.com