Newsletter: Something is rotten in the state of Turkey
Newsletter: A Turbulent Moment for Turkey and Europe
Transatlantic Tensions in Ankara
Newsletter - Good morning, Brussels. Angela Skujins brings you this mid-week bulletin, highlighting a growing transatlantic dispute in Ankara that shows no indication of cooling down. Before diving into that developing situation, let me share a brief update on a significant story capturing attention in Paris: Marine Le Pen, the far-right political figure, announced last night her intention to contest France's 2027 presidential race, even after facing a fraud conviction.
Euronews' deputy EU news editor Maïa de la Baume provides an essential analysis of this development. Following an appeals court's decision on Tuesday to uphold a prior ruling, the presidential candidate has committed to continuing her legal battle. "I want to pursue all available avenues of appeal so that I can defend my innocence in this case," she explained to French television viewers last evening. (Additional coverage of this leading story appears further down).
French Political Support Remains Strong
Fabrice Leggeri, a French MEP representing the Patriots group and hailing from Le Pen's National Rally party, shared his perspective with Euronews' flagship daily news programme Europe Today. He stated that French citizens harbor "no mistrust" regarding the situation because "they know what it (the case) is about." Leggeri expressed renewed optimism, noting: "We are confident again that Marine Le Pen and our colleagues will not be found guilty by the top court." Viewers can watch this segment for more details.
Greenland Takes Center Stage at NATO
Euronews' correspondent Shona Murray reports from the Turkish capital, covering the second day of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's annual summit. The event has barely begun, yet US President Donald Trump has already stirred controversy by reasserting his interest in acquiring the autonomous territory of Greenland from Denmark. His comments threaten to potentially fracture the 32-member alliance considerably.
"Greenland doesn't help Denmark," Trump remarked to reporters during a Monday press conference. "Denmark doesn't spend money to really help Greenland, but it's an important part for the United States, and it's surrounded by China's ships and Russian ships." Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded promptly: "Of course Greenland is not for sale. We have made that clear from the start. The Greenlanders do not want to be part of the USA."
European Unity Amidst Global Challenges
The summit drama continues as Trump prepares to meet Frederiksen at the North Atlantic Council gathering of heads of state and government at 11:15 a.m. today, immediately following what is reportedly a "family photo" session at 11:00 a.m. Additionally, Trump criticized fellow allies regarding what he characterized as their abandonment of the United States concerning Iran, particularly noting that nations like Italy and Spain refused to grant access to their military bases.
European leaders remain resolute in presenting unity. My colleague Jorge Liboreiro observes that Europeans are determined to maintain composure. Prior to the summit, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte concurred that the alliance requires Europeanisation to assume greater responsibility and diminish dependence on American security guarantees. "We need a much stronger Europe within a stronger NATO," the secretary-general emphasized. "To stay transatlantic, we have to become more European."
Ukraine's Ambitions and Defence Priorities
Euronews' Ukraine correspondent Sasha Vakulina notes that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy intensified his campaign for alliance membership during the final hours of the first summit day. He maintains that his nation has demonstrated itself as a dependable partner and that joining would be "entirely natural." Speaking at NATO's Summit Defence Industry Forum in Ankara, Zelenskyy clarified that Ukraine has transitioned from security recipient to provider. He described Kyiv's military as a "source of extraordinary defensive capability" for Europe, attributing this to rapid technological adaptation.
However, Zelenskyy seeks concrete reciprocity. "Those who defend life need more Patriots," he declared, referencing the American-made air defence system, while simultaneously calling on European nations to develop their own mass-produced alternatives without delay.
EU-Turkey Relations and Sanctions Progress
Later tonight, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will share a meal with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, with defence expected to feature prominently in their discussions. A story emerging this morning focuses attention on where the EU leader will sit during the meeting and which particular tension she hopes to address.
Beyond Paris and Ankara, Jorge correctly highlights that the 27 ambassadors face a demanding schedule today, including another effort to conclude the 21st sanctions package targeting Russia. Time remains limited as negotiations progress.