Tag: europe

Several European countries support France’s nuclear deterrence plan, vow cooperation

Posted on by 2026news

European countries including Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Belgium and the Netherlands expressed support Monday for French President Emmanuel Macron’s initiative to expand France’s nuclear arsenal and launch a European dialogue on nuclear deterrence.

Earlier Monday, Macron announced that France will increase the number of its nuclear warheads and said the country will no longer disclose the size of its stockpile.

He described the move as necessary to strengthen Europe’s defense amid growing global security challenges while insisting it does not signal a new arms race.

“The advanced deterrence we propose is a distinct effort, with its own intrinsic value, and fully complementary to NATO at both the strategic and technical levels,” he said, emphasizing that NATO remains the cornerstone of European security.

Macron added that Germany would play a central role in the new strategic initiative.

Later, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced the establishment of a nuclear steering group with France to coordinate deterrence issues.

Merz said Germany plans to take concrete steps this year, including participation in French nuclear exercises, reflecting growing German engagement in strategic defense.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Denmark will contribute through joint exercises, training and air surveillance updates while stressing that the country will not host French nuclear weapons, according to broadcaster DR.

“It’s also about getting to the table and thus gaining increased access to information and strategic decisions,” she added.

Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen stressed that cooperation with France does not mean that Denmark will house French nuclear weapons.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson described the nuclear dialogue as being in an early stage but said closer cooperation with France could enhance security in Northern Europe, broadcaster SVT reported.

“We have said that we would like to participate in such a dialogue, which could be beneficial for security in our part of the world,” he said, reiterating that Sweden has no plans to acquire nuclear weapons or allow them on its territory.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed support on the US social media company X’s platform, saying Poland is in talks with France and other close European allies on advanced nuclear deterrence.

“We are arming up together with our friends so that our enemies will never dare to attack us,” he wrote.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever also endorsed Macron’s plan, describing the initiative as a step toward strengthening European security and defense.

Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen and Dutch Defense Minister Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius confirmed that the Netherlands will engage in closer dialogue with France on nuclear matters, public broadcaster NOS reported.

“The French offer to deepen the dialogue on this issue with European partners fits in with this goal, and the cabinet considers it desirable to accept this offer,” the ministers wrote in a joint letter to parliament. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/several-european-countries-support-frances-nuclear-deterrence-plan-vow-cooperation/3847480

El Al to begin rescue flights for Israelis stranded due to Operation Roaring Lion

Posted on by 2026news

El Al announced on Monday that it has begun preparing a rescue operation to return Israelis stranded overseas due to Operation Roaring Lion. The rescue flights will begin once Ben-Gurion Airport reopens and approvals are received from the state and security authorities.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev announced that Egypt had agreed to allow Israeli flights to land at the Taba and Sharm El Sheikh airports as part of the rescue flight operations.

The airline said it is prioritizing passengers whose flights were canceled and that rescue flights for El Al and Sun d’Or customers will be operated at no additional cost.

In the first stage, El Al said it is preparing rescue flights from its main destinations in the United States, the Far East, and Europe.

The initial planned US destinations are New York, Miami, and Los Angeles, while the Far East destinations include Bangkok and Phuket, the airline said.

El Al added that the first European destinations being prepared are Larnaca, Athens, Rome, Milan, Paris, Budapest, Tbilisi, Sofia, Warsaw, Bucharest, Madrid, London, Barcelona, Geneva, Amsterdam, Munich, and Zurich.

Tickets to the public only after existing passengers are accommodated

El Al said that rescue flights for El Al and Sun d’Or customers whose flights were canceled will not incur an additional charge and will be made available for public sale only after all affected customers have been brought home.

The airline said it is proactively updating customers regarding changes and developments, with ongoing updates published on its website and social media channels.

Subject to approvals from security authorities, El Al said it is examining the operation of flights on KlasJet aircraft from nearby European destinations to Taba, Egypt, or Aqaba, Jordan, for El Al and Sun d’Or customers.

Those flights, if approved, would also be offered without additional cost to eligible customers, the airline said.

Hundreds of flights canceled worldwide

El Al’s rescue flights are needed as thousands of flights were canceled across the world, leading to what The Guardian called “the most acute aviation shock since the Covid-19 pandemic paralyzed the industry.”

According to the Guardian, nearly 2,800 flights were canceled on Saturday, the first day of the attack on Iran, with an additional 3,156 canceled on Sunday and at least 1,239 on Monday.

Among the most disrupted airlines were Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways, who were forced to suspend flights to and from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar respectively.

The economic impact of the flight disruption is larger the inconvenience to individual flyers, the Guardian reported.

Stock in aerospace industries dropped, including for Japan Airlines (whose shares fell by 5.6%), Singapore Airlines (4.5%), Qantas Airlines (5.4%), and Cathay Pacific (2.9%).

The price of crude oil jumped as well due to the war, causing even more financial strain for everyone, including the aviation industry. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-888466