The day after Donald Trump’s inauguration on  20 January, MEPs discuss the implications of his second term for transatlantic relations, with representatives from the Polish Council Presidency and the Commission . The debate is expected to focus on support for Ukraine, relations with Russia, China, the Middle East, climate change, and trade. MEPs are also expected to bring up  security issues, in light of Donald Trump’s repeated demands that Europe spend more on defence. Speaking in the Committee on Foreign Affairs recently, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warned MEPs that “NATO’s current two percent defence spending target is not nearly enough (...) to stay safe.”

EU - USA (T)

Debate on the geopolitical and economic implications under Trump administration

EP Plenary session - Need to detect and to counter sabotage by the Russian shadow fleet, damaging critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea

MEPs debate on the need to detect and to counter sabotage by the Russian shadow fleet, damaging critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. In recent months, there has been an increase in in instances of ships damaging undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. The latest incident occurred in late December 2024 with the severing of an electricity cable running between Finland and Estonia. Shortly after, the Finnish Coast Guard boarded the oil tanker Eagle S and steered it to a Finnish port. Although officially sailing under a Cook Islands flag, there are suspicions the vessel is part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet”. Following these incidents, NATO has launched a new mission to protect critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. Closing statements by Henna VIRKKUNEN, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, and by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs.

Need to detect and to counter sabotage by the Russian shadow fleet, damaging critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea: Closing statements by Henna VIRKKUNEN, Executive VP of the EC and by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs

MEPs debate on the need to detect and to counter sabotage by the Russian shadow fleet, damaging critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. In recent months, there has been an increase in in instances of ships damaging undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. The latest incident occurred in late December 2024 with the severing of an electricity cable running between Finland and Estonia. Shortly after, the Finnish Coast Guard boarded the oil tanker Eagle S and steered it to a Finnish port. Although officially sailing under a Cook Islands flag, there are suspicions the vessel is part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet”. Following these incidents, NATO has launched a new mission to protect critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. According to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, the mission dubbed “Baltic Sentry” would involve more patrol aircraft, warships and drones. Second part of MEPs debate.

Need to detect and to counter sabotage by the Russian shadow fleet, damaging critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs debate on the need to detect and to counter sabotage by the Russian shadow fleet, damaging critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. In recent months, there has been an increase in in instances of ships damaging undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. The latest incident occurred in late December 2024 with the severing of an electricity cable running between Finland and Estonia. Shortly after, the Finnish Coast Guard boarded the oil tanker Eagle S and steered it to a Finnish port. Although officially sailing under a Cook Islands flag, there are suspicions the vessel is part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet”. Following these incidents, NATO has launched a new mission to protect critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. According to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, the mission dubbed “Baltic Sentry” would involve more patrol aircraft, warships and drones. First part of MEPs debate.

Need to detect and to counter sabotage by the Russian shadow fleet, damaging critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs debate on the need to detect and to counter sabotage by the Russian shadow fleet, damaging critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. In recent months, there has been an increase in in instances of ships damaging undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. The latest incident occurred in late December 2024 with the severing of an electricity cable running between Finland and Estonia. Shortly after, the Finnish Coast Guard boarded the oil tanker Eagle S and steered it to a Finnish port. Although officially sailing under a Cook Islands flag, there are suspicions the vessel is part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet”. Following these incidents, NATO has launched a new mission to protect critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. Opening statements by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs, and by Henna VIRKKUNEN, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy.

Need to detect and to counter sabotage by the Russian shadow fleet, damaging critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea: Opening statements by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs, and by Henna VIRKKUNEN, Executive VP of the EC

The day after Donald Trump’s inauguration on 20 January, MEPs discuss the implications of his second term for transatlantic relations, with representatives from the Polish Council Presidency and the Commission. The debate focus on support for Ukraine, relations with Russia, China, the Middle East, climate change, and trade. MEPs bring up security issues, in light of Donald Trump’s repeated demands that Europe spend more on defence. Speaking in the Committee on Foreign Affairs recently, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warned MEPs that “NATO’s current two percent defence spending target is not nearly enough (...) to stay safe.”Closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and European Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency and by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs

Geopolitical and economic implications for the transatlantic relations under the new Trump administration: Closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner and by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs

The day after Donald Trump’s inauguration on 20 January, MEPs discuss the implications of his second term for transatlantic relations, with representatives from the Polish Council Presidency and the Commission. The debate focus on support for Ukraine, relations with Russia, China, the Middle East, climate change, and trade. MEPs bring up security issues, in light of Donald Trump’s repeated demands that Europe spend more on defence. Speaking in the Committee on Foreign Affairs recently, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warned MEPs that “NATO’s current two percent defence spending target is not nearly enough (...) to stay safe". This news item shows extracts from the debate.

Geopolitical and economic implications for the transatlantic relations under the new Trump administration: extracts from the debate

The day after Donald Trump’s inauguration on 20 January, MEPs discuss the implications of his second term for transatlantic relations, with representatives from the Polish Council Presidency and the Commission. The debate focus on support for Ukraine, relations with Russia, China, the Middle East, climate change, and trade. MEPs bring up security issues, in light of Donald Trump’s repeated demands that Europe spend more on defence. Speaking in the Committee on Foreign Affairs recently, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warned MEPs that “NATO’s current two percent defence spending target is not nearly enough (...) to stay safe.”

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