US-Iran Conflict: Ceasefire and NATO's Defense Boost

CNN's Fred Pleitgen reports on the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike on a building in Tehran, Iran, describing the extensive damage and speaking to a resident who witnessed the blast. The airstrike is part of a larger conflict between Israel and Iran, with US President Donald Trump having previously brokered a ceasefire that has since become fragile. The US had previously launched strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, but an early US intelligence assessment found that the strikes did not destroy the core components of Iran's nuclear program, setting it back by only a few months.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe stated that US strikes "severely damaged" Iran's nuclear facilities, setting them back years, contradicting a leaked Pentagon intelligence report that suggested the damage was minimal. The US operation involved 125 military aircraft targeting three main Iranian nuclear facilities. US President Donald Trump maintained that the raid "obliterated" Iran's nuclear facilities and plans to seek a commitment from Iran to end its nuclear ambitions at talks next week. Satellite images show significant damage to the facilities, with reports indicating that rebuilding could take years. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman acknowledged that their nuclear installations were "badly damaged," while the Iranian government has long maintained its nuclear program is peaceful.

When Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, emerges from hiding after a nearly two-week war with Israel, he will face a significantly weakened country and a diminished reputation. The war has left Iran's military infrastructure damaged, its nuclear facilities compromised, and its economy further crippled by sanctions. Many Iranians will hold Khamenei responsible for the conflict and the resulting destruction, and there are murmurs of dissent at the top, with some former regime figures urging quieter religious scholars to intervene and bring about a change in leadership. Experts believe the Iranian regime's survival is uncertain and that Khamenei may be its last supreme leader. The war has also exposed the opposition's inability to unite and take over, and many Iranians fear a further clampdown by the regime, with at least six people executed on spying charges since the war began. The ceasefire is not expected to last, and concerns remain about Iran's ballistic missile silos and nuclear capabilities.

A ceasefire between Israel and Iran has held, bringing cautious optimism in Israel, although uncertainty remains about the long-term implications. The 12-day conflict resulted in 28 deaths in Israel and hundreds in Iran. Despite initial claims by Israel and the US that the strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities set back its nuclear program by years or decades, a US military intelligence assessment suggested the damage was only a few months. Iran has vowed to accelerate its nuclear enrichment work without UN oversight, with its parliament voting to halt cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency. The ceasefire has allowed Israel to lift wartime restrictions, and daily life is returning to normal, but concerns remain about the situation in Gaza, where the Israeli military has been accused of mass killings, and the fate of 20 Israeli hostages still believed to be alive.

A U.S. intelligence summary issued on the day of President Trump's airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities assessed that Iran could build a nuclear device in 3 to 8 months if it chose to, but there was no indication it had decided to do so. The report found Iran had discussed storing highly enriched uranium in public parking lots to avoid destruction and had increased its stockpiles of enriched uranium. U.S. officials have long said Iran halted its nuclear weapons program in 2003, and the intelligence community assessed in March that Iran was not building a nuclear weapon. The airstrikes targeted two uranium enrichment facilities and a nuclear research site, with the Pentagon saying the sites sustained "extremely severe damage and destruction."

A CBS News poll found that Republicans overwhelmingly support US airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, while the overall public disapproves. Most Americans, including a third of Republicans, believe President Trump needs congressional authorization for military action against Iran. The public is concerned about the possibility of a wider war with Iran, with those who think Iran will launch attacks on the US being more concerned. Most Americans view Iran having a nuclear weapon as a threat to the US and Israel. The poll also found that perceptions of the US economy remain negative, with most saying it is getting worse and predicting a slowdown or recession in the coming year.

President Trump said the US will meet with Iran next week, potentially leading to a formal agreement, although he doesn't think it's necessary since US strikes have "obliterated" Iran's nuclear sites. A 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran has resulted in a tenuous ceasefire, with 28 dead in Israel and hundreds in Iran. Trump claimed the US strikes set back Iran's nuclear program "basically decades," but a classified assessment estimated the setback was only a matter of months. Trump also met with NATO leaders, where members agreed to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP, and discussed Ukraine with President Zelenskyy, saying the US may provide Patriot missile defense systems.

An initial classified assessment by the Defense Intelligence Agency found that US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities set back Tehran's nuclear program by a matter of months. The assessment, based on satellite imagery and signals intelligence, indicated that the entrances to two nuclear enrichment facilities were sealed off and that some of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile was moved before the strikes. The US dropped 30,000-pound bombs on the Fordo uranium enrichment facility, but the site's underground enrichment infrastructure remains largely intact. The assessment's findings contradict President Trump's claims that the strikes "obliterated" Iran's nuclear program, with Trump saying it was set back "basically decades."

Iran launched a missile strike at al-Udeid air base in Qatar, firing 14 projectiles, in retaliation for US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. US President Donald Trump called it a "very weak response" and announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, which is set to begin soon, potentially ending the fighting.

After Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, both countries continued to attack each other for hours, with Israel striking Iran's missile-launchers and assassinating a nuclear scientist, and Iran launching a missile that penetrated Israel's air defenses and killed at least four people. Iran's regime denied making a deal with America but said it would wind down fighting if Israel did, effectively accepting a precarious truce.

The article discusses the recent conflict between Israel and Iran, with the US intervening under Trump's leadership. The conflict has led to a fragile ceasefire, with questions remaining about the effectiveness of the US strikes on Iran's nuclear program. The article analyzes the potential consequences of the conflict, including the impact on the Middle East region, and assesses the strategies of key players, including Israel, Iran, and the US. It highlights the challenges of achieving a lasting resolution and the risks of further escalation.

A leaked "low-confidence" intelligence assessment suggests that a recent US strike on Iran's uranium-enrichment facilities, referred to as "Operation Midnight Hammer", may have only set back Iran's nuclear programme by months, rather than dealing a decisive blow, casting doubt on President Trump's assumption that a single military strike could lead to a quick and lasting resolution.

The article discusses the aftermath of a US strike in the Middle East, specifically in relation to the conflict between Israel and Iran. The US, under Trump, announced a ceasefire after Iran launched a missile strike against Israel. The strike, involving 14 bombs, has significant implications for the region, and questions remain about its effectiveness and the future of the conflict. Iran's hardliners have accepted a precarious truce, but it is unclear if the ceasefire will hold.

US President Donald Trump announced a "complete and total" ceasefire in the war between Israel and Iran after a US bombing campaign targeting Iranian nuclear facilities. The announcement came two days after a fleet of American stealth bombers struck the facilities, and Trump claimed that both countries had shown "stamina, courage, and intelligence" in ending the conflict, which he dubbed "THE 12 DAY WAR". The ceasefire's implications and the effectiveness of the US strike are uncertain, with questions remaining about the long-term impact on the region.

The US air strikes carried out by the Trump administration against Iran were ambitious but their effectiveness is questionable, with a leaked preliminary American intelligence assessment suggesting they set back Iran's nuclear programme by a few months but did not destroy it.

The CIA has obtained evidence indicating that Iran's nuclear program has been "severely damaged" by recent US strikes on three of its nuclear sites, according to CIA Director John Ratcliffe. The evidence includes new intelligence from a reliable source suggesting that several key facilities were destroyed and would take years to rebuild. This assessment contrasts with an initial Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) analysis that suggested the strikes may have only set back Iran's nuclear ambitions by months. The White House and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard have pushed back on the DIA assessment, citing new intelligence that supports the notion that the facilities were destroyed. The final US military "battle damage assessment" is ongoing and could take days or weeks to complete, with multiple agencies scrutinizing the impact of the strikes. US President Donald Trump has maintained that the strikes "obliterated" Iran's ability to produce a nuclear weapon, despite initial assessments suggesting the damage may be limited.

CNN visited the site of an Israeli airstrike in Tehran, Iran, several days after a ceasefire with Israel was brokered by US President Donald Trump. CNN's Frederik Pleitgen reported on the damage caused by the airstrike, showing the aftermath of the attack. The strike occurred amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, with Trump later condemning both sides and criticizing Israel for "unloading" on Iran after the ceasefire was announced.

A ceasefire between Iran and Israel is holding despite both sides accusing each other of violating the truce. US President Donald Trump said the US will meet with Iran "next week" and that the recent US strikes "obliterated" Iran's ability to produce a nuclear weapon. An Iranian official confirmed that the country's nuclear installations were "badly damaged" following the strikes. Initial US intelligence assessments suggested the strikes only set back Iran's nuclear program by months, but the Trump administration later cited "new intelligence" indicating that the strikes severely damaged Iran's nuclear facilities. The administration is limiting the sharing of classified information with Congress amid concerns of leaks. A Senate briefing on the situation is scheduled for Thursday.

US President Donald Trump claimed that US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities caused "total obliteration," despite a classified report indicating the attack only set back Tehran's nuclear program by a few months. The report's findings were described as "inconclusive" and preliminary. Trump made the comments while on Air Force One, where he also addressed the possibility of regime change in Iran. The US military strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities did not destroy the core components of Iran's nuclear program, according to an early US intelligence assessment.

President Donald Trump and his national security officials spent a NATO summit rebutting an early US intelligence report that found weekend US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities did not destroy the core components of Iran's nuclear program. The report, from the Pentagon's intelligence arm, assessed that the strikes likely only set back Iran's nuclear program by months. Trump and his officials, including Secretaries of State and Defense Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth, presented a more devastating picture of the strikes, citing additional intelligence and a statement from Israel's Atomic Energy Commission. Trump compared the strikes to the US dropping nuclear bombs on Japan during World War II, saying both were effective in ending wars. The administration plans to limit sharing classified information with Congress, believing the report was leaked. Trump suggested that the strikes may have rendered a diplomatic agreement with Iran unnecessary, but said talks were scheduled for next week.

The US military strikes on three of Iran's nuclear facilities last weekend did not destroy the core components of the country's nuclear program and likely only set it back by months, according to an early US intelligence assessment.

CNN's Jake Tapper rebuked President Trump for criticizing media outlets that reported on a Pentagon report stating US strikes on Iran may have only set back Iran's nuclear weapon production by months, contrary to Trump's claim that the strikes "obliterated" their ability to produce a nuclear weapon.

CNN's Kaitlan Collins pressed President Donald Trump on whether the US was relying on Israeli intelligence to assess the damage done by strikes in Iran, as the administration's claims of "obliterating" Iran's nuclear capability were contradicted by a preliminary Defense Intelligence Agency report suggesting the strikes may have only set back Iran's nuclear program by months.

President Donald Trump is trying to convince the world that his recent bombing raids against Iranian nuclear facilities were a total success, obliterating its nuclear program. However, a "low-confidence" Defense Intelligence Agency assessment questioned the effectiveness of the strikes, suggesting they only delayed Iran's nuclear ambitions by months. Trump's claims are motivated by his ego and a need to avoid a potential yearslong quasi-war. The White House has reacted defensively to reports contradicting Trump's narrative, and the administration's credibility is being questioned. Despite some supportive statements from Israeli and US officials, the administration's pushback has been criticized for lacking evidence to back up Trump's claims, and for potentially pressuring the intelligence community to tailor its findings to meet the administration's needs.

US airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities will likely harden North Korea's resolve to accelerate its nuclear weapons program and deepen cooperation with Russia, as North Korea sees its nuclear arsenal as a deterrent against US-enforced regime change. Experts warn that North Korea's advanced nuclear capabilities and mutual defense treaty with Russia make it unlikely to be deterred by US military action, and instead, the strike on Iran may justify North Korea's nuclear development. The Kim regime is expected to accelerate its nuclear program, potentially with Russian assistance, and strengthen its military cooperation with Moscow.

President Donald Trump brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, pausing a 12-day conflict. The agreement, which took effect 12 hours after being announced, was seen as historic by John Spencer, executive director of the Urban Warfare Institute. Spencer drew parallels to past ceasefires, including the Korean War Armistice and Israel-Hamas ceasefires, which also had delayed activations. While the ceasefire doesn't necessarily mean lasting peace, Spencer believes it will hold and is part of a broader strategic doctrine to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. The agreement established a new precedent, demonstrating the US and Israel's ability to respond to nuclear proliferation threats.

Experts say the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) failed to stop Iran's nuclear program despite 20 years of monitoring, and that the agency's inability to enforce its findings allowed Iran to advance its nuclear ambitions. The IAEA reported that Iran had enough uranium enriched to 60% to make nine nuclear bombs just before Israel launched a military assault on Iran. The US and Israel ultimately carried out a successful strike on Iranian nuclear sites, with Trump claiming three nuclear sites were obliterated. Experts attribute the IAEA's failure to its lack of enforcement capabilities and the international community's inability to hold Iran accountable, rather than a fault of the agency itself. The IAEA's Director General, Rafael Grossi, continues to urge diplomacy despite the successful use of force against Iran's nuclear program.

An Israeli assessment determined that US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities set the country's nuclear program back "many years" by destroying "critical infrastructure" at the Fordow nuclear facility, rendering it "inoperable." The Israel Atomic Energy Commission stated that the strikes, combined with Israeli strikes on other elements of Iran's military nuclear program, significantly delayed Iran's ability to develop nuclear weapons. The assessment aligns with Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson's statement that the country's nuclear installations were "badly damaged."

Fresh satellite imagery released by Maxar Technologies shows significant damage at three of Iran's key nuclear sites, Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, after U.S. B-2 stealth bombers conducted strikes ordered by President Donald Trump. The images reveal multiple craters and destruction at the sites, including at the heavily fortified Fordow Fuel Enrichment Facility, and at tunnel entrances associated with Iran's underground enrichment infrastructure. American officials say Iran's nuclear program has been severely set back, and Trump has claimed a "very successful" mission. The images also documented separate airstrike damage in Tehran, showing widespread destruction near Tehran's Shahid Rajaee University.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres praised President Donald Trump after the president announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, a rare positive statement from Guterres, who had previously condemned the US strikes in Iran just days earlier. Guterres urged both countries to respect the ceasefire, stating that the fighting must stop and that the people of both countries had already suffered too much. Trump had announced the ceasefire after expressing frustration with both Israel and Iran as it appeared to be faltering, and later reaffirmed his opposition to Iran possessing a nuclear weapon.

US President Donald Trump has rejected an initial US intelligence assessment that Iran's nuclear program was only set back by a few months after American strikes, instead claiming it was "obliterated". The CIA later stated that Iranian nuclear facilities were "severely damaged". Trump's dismissal of the intelligence assessment reflects his long history of discrediting US spy agencies, dating back to his 2016 campaign and continuing through his presidency. Trump has previously clashed with the intelligence community over issues such as Russian interference in the 2016 election and has appointed loyalists to lead the agencies, including CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Experts say Trump's public criticism of the intelligence community is demoralizing and undermines their ability to produce apolitical judgments.

The CIA chief, John Ratcliffe, stated that a US operation against Iran's nuclear sites "severely damaged" the country's nuclear program, citing a "body of credible intelligence" from a reliable source. This contradicts a leaked report from the US Defence Intelligence Agency suggesting the strikes may have only set back Iran's capabilities by a few months. Donald Trump backed Ratcliffe's assessment, calling the leaked report "fake news" and claiming the targets were "totally obliterated." Trump announced that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth would hold a news conference to provide further information.

Leaks from the US Defence Department have raised questions about the success of "Operation Midnight Hammer", a US bombing campaign against Iranian nuclear sites. The leaks suggest that the damage caused by the bunker-busting bombs may have only set back Iran's nuclear capabilities by months, rather than completely destroying them as claimed by President Donald Trump. Multiple sources have told NBC News, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and CNN that the initial assessment by the Defence Intelligence Agency found the airstrikes were not as effective as Trump claimed. Despite denials from the White House and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, doubts remain over the extent of the damage and whether Iran may have relocated equipment, including centrifuges, before the strikes.

The US airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities have sparked a debate over their success, with President Donald Trump claiming they severely damaged Iran's nuclear program, while Democrats argue that the extent of the damage is unclear. A leaked preliminary intelligence report suggested the strikes only set back Iran's nuclear ambitions by "months", contradicting Trump's claim that the facilities were "obliterated". The truth about the success of the airstrikes remains unclear as the damage was done to underground facilities, making it difficult to assess without further investigation.

CNN's report on a leaked top-secret US intelligence assessment claiming a recent B-2 bunker buster sortie in Iran was a flop is being disputed by subsequent assessments from the CIA, Israeli Atomic Energy Commission, and Iranian sources, which suggest the strike was "devastating" and set back Iran's nuclear ambitions by years. The original CNN report, written by Natasha Bertrand, was criticized for its dishonest spin and failure to report the uncertain nature of the DIA findings. US Special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff accused CNN's anonymous deep state sources of "treason." The incident highlights the media's complicity with rogue elements of the intelligence community in sabotaging Donald Trump's presidency, with Bertrand being a key figure in promoting CIA narratives and bogus Russiagate reporting.

The CIA director, John Ratcliffe, stated that US strikes had "severely damaged" Iran's nuclear program, while President Trump continued to claim that the facilities had been "obliterated." The Defense Intelligence Agency's initial report, based on information from 24 hours after the attack, described the damage as ranging from moderate to severe and said the nuclear program had been delayed by months, but with "low confidence" in that finding. Other US spy agencies, including the National Security Agency and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, are assessing the damage, with some new intelligence suggesting it would take Iran years to rebuild the sites if it chose to do so. The varying assessments have sparked controversy, with some lawmakers expressing concern that the administration is manipulating intelligence to support a political narrative.

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been absent from public view for nearly a week, sparking widespread concern and worry in Iran. Despite a recent escalation in tensions with Israel and the US, including a US bombing of three Iranian nuclear facilities and Iran retaliating by firing ballistic missiles at a US base in Qatar, Khamenei has not made any public appearances or statements. Officials close to Khamenei have given vague responses to inquiries about his whereabouts, citing security concerns and saying that those responsible for his safety are doing their job. Speculation is growing about Khamenei's involvement in recent events, with some questioning if he is injured, or even deceased. In his absence, politicians and military commanders are forming factions, vying for influence, and pushing different visions for Iran's future, including its nuclear program and negotiations with the US. The Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, is currently pushing for moderation and diplomacy, while a conservative rival faction is criticizing his approach.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praised President Donald Trump as a "man of strength" and a "man of peace" at the 2025 NATO Summit after the US struck Iran's nuclear facilities. Rutte commended Trump's decisive action on Iran and his role in securing a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. Trump shared texts from Rutte on Truth Social, in which the NATO leader expressed his support for Trump's move against Iran, stating it "makes us all safer." Rutte also praised Trump's effort to get NATO members to increase their defense spending, with all countries except Spain agreeing to spend 5% of their GDP on defense. NATO member states had mixed reactions to the strikes, with some calling for de-escalation while acknowledging the threat posed by Iran's nuclear program.

Donald Trump's administration is criticizing the press for questioning his claims about US airstrikes in Iran, saying it "demeans" the military. However, journalists argue that asking questions and seeking evidence is a patriotic duty, especially in times of war. CNN and The New York Times reported on an early US intel assessment that contradicted Trump's claims about the strikes' impact, prompting Trump's attacks. Experts and journalists note that government officials often have an incentive to hide or obscure the truth during wartime, and it is the press's duty to uncover it, regardless of which party is in power.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte employed an unprecedented charm offensive towards US President Donald Trump at a recent NATO summit, praising him in a message on Trump's Truth Social platform and describing his actions on Iran as "extremely impressive." Rutte's approach, which included referring to Trump as "daddy" in a joking aside, was seen as an attempt to burnish Trump's ego and avoid controversy. The summit ultimately achieved a major goal, with NATO members agreeing to boost defense spending to post-Cold War highs, a commitment that was seen as a win for Trump and NATO. Leaders, including Polish President Andrzej Duda, credited Trump with pressuring NATO allies to meet the new spending targets, with some even jokingly suggesting a new motto for the alliance: "Make NATO great again." Despite initial concerns about Trump's potential to cause diplomatic spats, the summit was largely successful, with fewer casualties than expected, and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky also coming away with wins.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte referred to US President Donald Trump as "daddy" while praising him for securing a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, and for pushing NATO allies to increase their defence spending. At a NATO summit in The Hague, Rutte thanked Trump for his role in getting allies to agree to raise their annual defence spending to 5% of GDP. Trump had previously cast doubt on his commitment to NATO's collective defence guarantees, but the alliance reaffirmed their "ironclad commitment" to the clause. Trump also claimed that US strikes on Iran's nuclear programme had "obliterated" it, despite US intelligence suggesting the impact was less severe.

NATO leaders, including Secretary-General Mark Rutte, showered praise on US President Donald Trump at the recent summit, with Rutte referring to him as "Daddy" who uses "strong language" to resolve conflicts. Despite initial concerns, Trump's response was positive, and he appeared to be back on board with the notion of collective defence. The summit ended with a new target for defence spending of 3.5% of GDP, plus an additional 1.5% for national resilience, although the timeline for achieving this is 10 years, which may be too slow to address the concerns of some member states regarding potential threats from Russia.

NATO's summit in the Netherlands was described as "transformational" and "historic," with 32 member countries endorsing a plan to significantly increase defense spending driven by US President Donald Trump and concerns over Russia's security threat. The nonbinding agreement targets a defense spending increase to 3.5% of GDP by 2035, up from the current 2%, and includes infrastructure upgrades worth 1.5% of GDP. Not all countries are on board, with Spain refusing and Slovakia having reservations. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to NATO's collective defense clause, Article 5, and Trump expressed support for the alliance despite previous doubts. Ukraine was largely sidelined at the summit, with no mention of membership prospects in the final statement, but Russia was identified as a major security threat.

Nato leaders agreed to increase defence spending to 5% of their countries' economic output by 2035, a decision hailed by US President Donald Trump as a "big win". The commitment involves at least 3.5% of each member state's GDP on core defence expenditure by 2035, plus up to 1.5% on security infrastructure. Nato reaffirmed its "ironclad commitment" to mutual defence, despite Trump's earlier comments questioning the principle. The summit also focused on continued support for Ukraine and pushing for peace, with leaders stressing their unity against security challenges posed by Russia and terrorism.

NATO leaders have agreed to a target of spending 5% of their economic output on defense by 2035, more than doubling the 2% benchmark set previously. Currently, NATO members spend an average of 2.61% of their GDP on defense. Nine countries, such as Canada, Portugal, and Italy, spend less than 2%, with Spain allocating the smallest percentage at 1.2%. Poland, Estonia, and Latvia are among the highest spenders, at over 3%. The US spends 3.2% of its GDP on defense. The new agreement has been praised by him as a "monumental win for the United States", but analysts note that the target may not be binding.

Ukraine's former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba praised NATO's commitment to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, calling it a "big, immediate win" for President Trump. Kuleba believes this move would be a significant win for Europe's future if taken seriously. He assessed that current Russia-Ukraine peace talks are "dead" due to Russian President Putin's refusal to agree to a ceasefire and his escalated attacks on Ukraine. Kuleba suggested the US needs to rebalance its diplomatic approach by reshuffling "sticks, carrots, and pressure of time" to revitalize negotiations. He emphasized that Europe must take care of its own security by producing and buying weapons, not just for Ukraine but also for itself.

The EU's defence commissioner, Andrius Kubilius, has warned that Europe must be prepared to build "millions of drones" to defend itself against potential Russian attacks. He cited Ukraine's use of drones in its conflict with Russia, where an estimated 80% of Russian frontline losses have been attributed to Ukrainian drone units. Kubilius suggested that Europe should learn from Ukraine's experience and build up teams of pilots, engineers, and producers to scale up drone production if needed, as stockpiling drones that may become outdated is not a viable solution. He estimated that Lithuania alone may need around three million drones to defend its 900km border with Russia and Belarus. NATO is also prioritizing drone technology, with members agreeing to boost defence spending and invest in drone production and air defences. The UK has pledged to put drones at the forefront of its new defence plan, with a £2bn investment in army drones.

EU leaders are meeting in Brussels to discuss imposing tougher sanctions on Russia, mitigating the impact of new US tariffs, and increasing their influence on Middle East conflicts, following a recent NATO summit where they committed to boosting defense spending and addressed differences with US President Donald Trump.