The Baltics and the threat from Russia amidst growing fears in the region- and beyond- that Putin could test NATO’s resolve with provocations. Worth reading by Richard Milne and Ben Hall ft.com/content/2047a8… via @ft

The revolt of Portugal's captains was a rare example of a military coup that restored democracy and civil rights after decades of autocracy. My review of a timely and lively account by Alex Fernandes

ft.com/content/f05055… via @ft

'Nobody wants to fight. Nobody wants to be invaded as well.' Conscription, special defence tax, 50-50 burden sharing with US. Edgars Rinkēvičs and Alar Karis tell me and Richard Milne how Europeans must do more for security

ft.com/content/aa03ef… via @ft

Scoop: The US has urged Ukraine to halt attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure, warning senior SBU and GUR officials that drone strikes risk driving up global oil prices and provoking retaliation.
w/ Ben Hall Felicia Schwartz Myles McCormick ft.com/content/98f15b… via Financial Times

“The Ukrainians couldn’t care less where these shells come from and who pays for them. We’re arguing over acronyms while they suffer on the front line”

Ben Hall & I on the $1.5bn scramble to find artillery for Ukraine while EU capitals squabble

ft.com/content/428fde… @ft

Ukraine is facing a shell emergency. EU capitals are squabbling over spending pots and whether to buy overseas (despite their own production failures). Luckily the Czechs have a plan... With Henry Foy

ft.com/content/428fde… via @ft

Today roula khalaf Ben Hall and I interviewed Ursula Ursula von der Leyen.

Here’s what the President of the European Commission had to say about improving Europe’s defence industry

Ukraine's new top commander says its strategy is to wear down the enemy, but at what cost to its own forces when ammo is running short? With Christopher Miller

ft.com/content/788d54… via @ft

Viktor Orbán: the EU’s chief disrupter ft.com/content/22c76f… via @ft

Good piece by Ben Hall Marton Dunai Henry Foy

What does Orban want? There's no way Ursula von der Leyen will unlock 🇭🇺€20bn that remains frozen. It would antagonise European Parliament & jeopardise her reconfirmation for a 2nd term

Also no way EUCO will give him a veto over Ukraine aid 1/

Everyone agrees that Orbán Viktor enjoys the spotlight as the EU/Nato's chief (or lone) disrupter. But what is he really trying to achieve? Leverage? Weaker commission? To help Putin? With Marton Dunai and Henry Foy

ft.com/content/e15883… via @ft

US envoy gets tough on Orbán Viktor for ‘fantasy foreign policy’ that helps #Putin on.ft.com/3tYBQy9 w/ Ben Hall via @financialtimes

Ukraine can fund its military itself (although not western weapons). It needs western aid to fund the government and pay pensions. It will soon run out, Yulia Svyrydenko tells the FT

Ukraine warns of pension and salary delays without western aid ft.com/content/925d2d… via @ft

Emmanuel Macron has just over three years left in office - will he leave behind him a France transformed or one with Marine Le Pen in Elysee? via Financial Times
on.ft.com/48v5t8L