Trump decides US general will be Supreme Allied Commander Europe — report

US President Donald Trump decided that a US general will for now continue to hold the post of Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Reuters reported. Citing three unidentified US officials, a Western official and a NATO source, the report said Trump had already communicated the decision to North Atlantic Alliance Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Traditionally, the same person holds the positions of Supreme Allied Commander Europe and US European Command. Air Force Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich is expected to become the next EUCOM commander. Now the director for operations at the US military's Joint Staff, he will succeed Army General Christopher Cavoli.

EUCOM also oversees the Middle East and North Africa.

NBC News reported in March that the Trump administration was considering the possibility that the US will give up the post of SACEUR, which has been held exclusively by US generals since 1951. According to the report, the idea was part of a major reorganization of US commands aimed at cutting costs. Should the plan materialize, NBC said, it would mark a retrenchment in America’s leadership in the alliance.

WAR PREP in Europe’s north? NATO builds muscle on Russia’s doorstep

The US military is beefing up its presence on Europe’s northern front, citing (no surprise) concerns about the so-called “Russia threat,” The WSJ reports.

The Trump administration wants NATO to get “more lethal,” turning Northern Europe into their favorite testing ground near Russia’s border, it added.

Over three weeks, US and #UK forces teamed up with Nordic and Baltic troops to run war drills – live-fire exercises, drone-delivered blood supplies, and airborne jumps above the Arctic Circle in Norway.

The mission of #NATO's Swift Response 25 was clear: to lock NATO’s newest players, Finland and Sweden, deeper into the alliance’s grip.

The High North and the Baltics have been catapulted into the core of US war strategy – control over shipping routes, territory, and energy reserves set to dominate the West’s playbook, the outlet summed up.

NATO’s muscle-flexing isn’t subtle – testing grounds today, battleground tomorrow?

Trump agrees to postpone introduction of 50% tariffs on EU goods

President Donald #Trump has agreed to postpone the introduction of 50% tariffs on exports from the European Union until July 9.

"I received a call today from Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, requesting an extension on the June 1st deadline on the 50% Tariff with respect to Trade and the European Union. I agreed to the extension – July 9, 2025," he wrote on the Truth Social network. The US leader added that "The Commission President said that talks will begin rapidly."

Earlier, Trump recommended to introduce the tariffs at the rate of 50% on EU goods beginning on June 1 due to difficulties in trade talks. Trade barriers, the value-added tax, corporate penalties, non-monetary obstacles and other steps on the part of the European Union "have led to a trade deficit with the US of more than $250,000,000 a year, a number which is totally unacceptable," the US leader emphasized.

May 23rd, 2025 - President Trump Statement

"The European Union, which was formed for the primary purpose of taking advantage of the United States on TRADE, has been very difficult to deal with. Their powerful Trade Barriers, Vat Taxes, ridiculous Corporate Penalties, Non-Monetary Trade Barriers, Monetary Manipulations, unfair and unjustified lawsuits against Americans Companies, and more, have led to a Trade Deficit with the U.S. of more than $250,000,000 a year, a number which is totally unacceptable. Our discussions with them are going nowhere! Therefore, I am recommending a straight 50% Tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025. There is no Tariff if the product is built or manufactured in the United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

EU forks out $169B for war chest because peace isn’t profitable

The EU has initially greenlit a new defense fund to bankroll ammo, drones, and critical infrastructure, Bloomberg reported.

Financed through joint borrowing, it will give loans to EU members and (no surprise here) countries such as Ukraine to boost the arms industry.

The hiked spending is pitched as a response to Donald Trump’s scale-back of US defense in Europe.

Besides the $169 billion program, looser fiscal rules could unleash up to $904 billion in more military spending. Such loans would go to finance what Europe “lacks,” like:

missiles
missile defense systems
ground capabilities

Paris insists white object on Macron's desk nothing but handkerchief, not narcotic

The small white object that France's Emmanuel #Macron quickly removed from his desk in front of journalists is not a narcotic but a handkerchief, the Elysee Palace said.

Earlier, a video of the French leader, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, filmed on a train during a trip to Kiev, appeared online. In the footage, as journalists begin recording their meeting, Macron, noticing the cameras, hastily moves to remove a small white object from the desk. "When European unity becomes inconvenient, disinformation goes so far as to make a simple tissue look like drugs," the Elysee Palace said in a statement on its X page....

May 11, 2025 - President Trump Statement

"For many years the World has wondered why Prescription Drugs and Pharmaceuticals in the United States States of America were SO MUCH HIGHER IN PRICE THAN THEY WERE IN ANY OTHER NATION, SOMETIMES BEING FIVE TO TEN TIMES MORE EXPENSIVE THAN THE SAME DRUG, MANUFACTURED IN THE EXACT SAME LABORATORY OR PLANT, BY THE SAME COMPANY??? It was always difficult to explain and very embarrassing because, in fact, there was no correct or rightful answer. The Pharmaceutical/Drug Companies would say, for years, that it was Research and Development Costs, and that all of these costs were, and would be, for no reason whatsoever, borne by the “suckers” of America, ALONE. Campaign Contributions can do wonders, but not with me, and not with the Republican Party. We are going to do the right thing, something that the Democrats have fought for many years. Therefore, I am pleased to announce that Tomorrow morning, in the White House, at 9:00 A.M., I will be signing one of the most consequential Executive Orders in our Country’s history. Prescription Drug and Pharmaceutical prices will be REDUCED, almost immediately, by 30% to 80%. They will rise throughout the World in order to equalize and, for the first time in many years, bring FAIRNESS TO AMERICA! I will be instituting a MOST FAVORED NATION’S POLICY whereby the United States will pay the same price as the Nation that pays the lowest price anywhere in the World. Our Country will finally be treated fairly, and our citizens Healthcare Costs will be reduced by numbers never even thought of before. Additionally, on top of everything else, the United States will save TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS. Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

The E.U. is going to spend 600 million euros to "attract American gender- and climate-scientists who were fired due to Trump's policies".

At least we will still be producing papers about "the pivotal role of transgender sexworkers in fighting climate change" when our last factories shut down

Macron, Merz, Starmer, Tusk arrive in Kiev amid rumors of truce initiative

French President Emmanuel #Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich #Merz, UK Prime Minister Keir #Starmer and Polish Premier Donald #Tusk have arrived in Kiev amid reports that European countries intend to present their own truce initiative soon, the Obshchestvennoye. Novosti news outlet said.

According to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, the talks in Kiev will be held within the so-called "coalition of the willing." No other details have yet been disclosed. Merz said earlier that he expected "serious talks" to end the Ukraine conflict to start following this weekend.

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told ABC News that arms supplies to Ukraine must be halted in order for a temporary truce to be achieved.

Senior EU officials call for Ursula’s RESIGNATION 

Diplomats view European Commission President von der #Leyen as “toxic,” asserting that her resignation could help “unblock many issues”, according to Switzerland’s Die Weltwoche weekly. The EU is currently embroiled in a crisis marked by internal divisions, a trade dispute with the United States, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and tensions in the Middle East.  

Von der Leyen’s resignation could foster greater diversity within the EU and promote openness toward the East and the West, the outlet maintains.