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EU ‘Made in Europe’ Auto Plan Risks Trade Tensions

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The European Union is preparing to introduce stricter “Made in EU” requirements for automakers as part of a proposed Industrial Accelerator Act aimed at reviving domestic manufacturing. Under draft rules, electric vehicles would need at least 70% of their parts’ value — excluding the battery — produced within the bloc to qualify for subsidies, alongside minimum EU-based battery content. The move is designed to counter mounting pressure from cheaper Chinese electric vehicle imports and prevent further industrial decline.

However, the plan has exposed divisions within the EU. France has pushed for stronger protection of local suppliers, warning of further factory closures and job losses without firm local-content mandates. Germany, whose carmakers depend heavily on exports to China, fears that stricter rules could trigger retaliatory trade measures. Industry groups caution that global auto supply chains are deeply integrated, making compliance complex and raising the risk of disrupting production networks.

Non-EU countries such as Britain and Turkey, key manufacturing hubs for European brands, are lobbying to be included in the framework. Automakers warn that excluding these partners could weaken EU production itself, while including them may create loopholes for Chinese firms to benefit indirectly. With billions of euros in subsidies and thousands of jobs at stake, policymakers are walking a tightrope between strengthening European industry and avoiding backlash from global trading partners.

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Germany Warns Recruitment Is Armed Forces’ Biggest Challenge

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Germany’s armed forces face a critical recruitment shortfall that could force Berlin to reinstate compulsory military service if voluntary efforts fail, the country’s Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces has warned. In his annual report, Commissioner Henning Otte said personnel shortages remain the Bundeswehr’s most pressing bottleneck as Germany seeks to strengthen its military capabilities amid heightened security concerns over Russia and pressure from the United States.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government has pledged to rebuild the Bundeswehr into Europe’s strongest conventional army after years of underinvestment. Berlin aims to expand active troop numbers to 260,000 from nearly 185,000 and double reservist strength to 200,000 by the mid-2030s. As part of this effort, authorities have introduced a voluntary model requiring all 18-year-olds to complete a questionnaire indicating their interest in military service.

However, the report cautions that modest gains in troop numbers — about 3,000 additional active soldiers by the end of 2025 — may not be enough to meet ambitious targets. Demographic decline, competition for skilled workers and high dropout rates are limiting growth. The commissioner warned that political goals risk outpacing military realities, adding that a return to compulsory service may become necessary if voluntary recruitment does not deliver sufficient personnel.

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Zelensky Warns Middle East War Could Weaken Ukraine’s Defences

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has cautioned that escalating conflict in the Middle East could undermine Ukraine’s ability to secure vital air defence systems as it battles Russia’s invasion. He warned that allies, particularly the United States, might divert critical weapons such as Patriot missile systems to protect their own interests or support partners in the Gulf. Zelensky also expressed concern that global attention could shift away from Ukraine, risking reduced political and military backing at a crucial stage of the war.

Kyiv fears that soaring demand for interceptor missiles in the Gulf could create shortages and drive up costs worldwide, complicating Ukraine’s efforts to defend its skies from Russia’s nightly drone and missile strikes. Zelensky recalled that during previous tensions involving Iran, deliveries of air defence systems to Ukraine slowed. At the same time, he acknowledged a potential upside: strikes on Iranian military facilities could limit Tehran’s capacity to supply drones and missiles to Russia, although Moscow now produces modified Shahed drones domestically.

Analysts suggest Russia could benefit from rising global oil prices triggered by instability in the Gulf, potentially strengthening its war finances. Some argue President Vladimir Putin is carefully avoiding deeper involvement in the Middle East to maintain relations with Washington and gain leverage in negotiations over Ukraine. In Kyiv, however, concerns are mounting that prolonged conflict elsewhere may deepen war fatigue among allies, adding to a sense of uncertainty and strain as Ukraine enters another year of full-scale war.

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Netanyahu Says US-Israeli War on Iran Will Not Be Prolonged

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war against Iran would be decisive and not drag on for years, describing it as potentially lasting weeks rather than becoming an “endless war.” Speaking in a televised interview, Netanyahu stressed that while the conflict may take some time, it would not mirror the prolonged wars of the past. The joint U.S.-Israeli air campaign began over the weekend, with Donald Trump initially suggesting a timeline of four to five weeks, though later remarks signalled a broader and open-ended approach.

The conflict has rapidly expanded beyond Iran and Israel, with Tehran launching missile and drone strikes targeting Israel, U.S. forces, and Gulf states hosting American bases. Israel has struck Iranian-linked targets in Lebanon, including Hezbollah positions, and reinforced troop deployments along its northern border. Iranian attacks have reportedly hit U.S. facilities in the region, including drone strikes near Riyadh and claims of damage to a U.S. base in Bahrain. Casualties have mounted across Iran, Israel, Lebanon and neighbouring states as exchanges intensify.

The escalating war has disrupted global aviation and energy markets, with thousands of Gulf flights cancelled and major hubs such as Dubai temporarily shut. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — a key artery for global oil trade — has been severely affected, driving oil prices and tanker rates sharply higher. Washington has ordered non-essential personnel to leave several regional countries, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that stronger American military action could still follow. Diplomatic tensions remain high as global powers react to one of the most significant Middle East escalations in decades.

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Zelenskiy Says Russia Unlikely to Achieve Planned Advances in Ukraine

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia will struggle to fulfil its planned military advances, asserting that Moscow has failed to meet objectives it set last year. Speaking in Kyiv, Zelenskiy stated that Russia’s broader strategy remains focused on occupying eastern and southern parts of Ukraine, but insisted that current battlefield realities do not support the ambitions outlined in Russian plans for 2026–2027.

According to Zelenskiy, Russia continues to prioritise full control of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the Donbas, while also eyeing advances toward the southeastern city of Dnipro and the southern Odesa region along the Black Sea. However, he said Ukraine does not believe Russian forces currently possess the capability to accomplish those objectives. The outcome, he added, will largely depend on continued Western weapons supplies and Ukraine’s expanding domestic arms production.

Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed its troops had captured three additional villages in eastern Ukraine as part of a prolonged offensive. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s General Staff said its forces had retaken nine settlements in the Zaporizhzhia region since late January and were continuing counteroffensive operations along the southeastern front. Territorial control remains a major sticking point in U.S.-mediated peace efforts, with Russia demanding concessions that Kyiv has firmly rejected.

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Kremlin Affirms Interest in Continuing Ukraine Peace Talks

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The Kremlin stated on Monday that continuing peace talks with Ukraine remains in Russia’s own interests, emphasizing a preference for a diplomatic settlement to end the fighting. Despite recent deadlocks over Russia’s demand for control of the remaining part of eastern Donbas, Moscow reiterated its commitment to negotiations.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia’s approach to talks has not changed and that political and diplomatic solutions are the preferred method to resolve the conflict. He noted that Russia remains open to discussions while prioritizing its own national interests.

When asked about potential impacts of U.S. strikes on Iran, Peskov affirmed that Russia still values U.S. mediation but would rely primarily on its own judgment. The statement signals Moscow’s intention to continue dialogue while protecting its strategic objectives in the region.

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France Offers Support to Gulf States Amid Iran Strikes

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France has expressed readiness to assist Gulf countries targeted by Iranian retaliatory attacks, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said after a crisis meeting in Paris. Barrot emphasized that any support would be proportionate and aligned with international law’s collective self-defense principles, responding to requests from regional partners.

The French minister criticized the initial Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran as unilateral actions that should have been debated at the U.N. Security Council to gain legitimacy. He called for Iran to halt its attacks and accept political concessions to pave the way for peace in the region.

A drone strike on a French naval base in Abu Dhabi over the weekend caused limited damage, but no French casualties were reported. France’s statement highlights its commitment to regional security while advocating for diplomatic and multilateral approaches to conflict resolution.

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Italy Misses 2025 Deficit Target, Pressure on PM Meloni

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Italy’s 2025 budget deficit came in at 3.1% of GDP, slightly above the European Union’s 3% ceiling, according to ISTAT. While lower than 2024’s 3.4%, the miss casts doubt on Rome’s plan to exit the EU’s Excessive Deficit Procedure early, which could have eased spending constraints ahead of the 2027 elections.

The eurozone’s third-largest economy grew by 0.5% in 2025, matching the government’s revised forecasts, though growth remains below 1% for the fourth consecutive year despite EU recovery funds. The 2026 deficit is targeted at 2.8%, with the government hoping for modest improvement amid lingering fiscal challenges.

Italy’s public debt also exceeded expectations, rising to 137.1% of GDP from 134.7% in 2024, above the government’s 136.2% target. With debt levels remaining the second-highest in the eurozone after Greece, the Meloni administration faces mounting pressure to control spending while promoting economic growth.

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Travel Shares Plunge as US-Iran Conflict Disrupts Flights

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Global travel markets tumbled on Monday as escalating tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran forced closures of key Middle Eastern airports, including Dubai and Doha, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded. European travel giants such as TUI, Lufthansa, Air France-KLM, and IAG saw shares drop between 7–9%, while U.S. airlines fell around 5% in pre-market trading. Analysts cited flight cancellations, rerouting costs, and rising fuel prices as major pressures, despite hedging strategies.

Asian carriers were also affected, with airlines including Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, Air China, and ANA Holdings suspending flights to the Middle East. Air India canceled routes to Europe, the U.S., and the Gulf, while Chinese airlines reported 26.5% of Middle East flights canceled for the week. Experts warned that disruptions could last for weeks, though broader schedule adjustments were still being monitored.

Passengers faced chaotic travel changes as Dubai and Doha airports, major international hubs, shut down. Travelers scrambled for alternatives, often with little guidance from airlines like Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia. The situation highlights the global ripple effect of geopolitical conflicts on aviation, travel demand, and logistics.

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EU Urges Restraint and Respect for International Law in Iran Conflict

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The European Union’s 27 member states have called for “maximum restraint” and full adherence to international law amid escalating hostilities involving Iran. In a statement issued after an emergency meeting of foreign ministers, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stressed the need to protect civilians and uphold the principles of the UN Charter and international humanitarian law. The appeal followed U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory attacks on Israel, U.S. forces and Gulf countries, which the EU described as inexcusable violations of sovereignty.

The bloc also voiced concern about the broader regional and economic fallout of the conflict, warning against escalation that could destabilize the Middle East and beyond. It highlighted the importance of keeping critical waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz open, citing risks to global energy supplies and supply chains. Disruptions to oil flows could have significant economic consequences for Europe, which is already grappling with geopolitical uncertainty.

The joint statement reflected differing views within the EU over the U.S.-Israeli military action. While German Chancellor Friedrich Merz signaled caution against criticizing allies, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez rejected the strikes as contributing to global instability. Diplomats acknowledged that Europe has limited leverage over the unfolding crisis, despite the potential for serious regional and economic repercussions.

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