Theo Francken

President Trump discusses grievances against NATO allies, expresses interest in Greenland, and considers U.S. military presence in Europe during a summit. European officials including Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže, Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken, and EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas analyze these challenges with moderator Nick Schifrin.

Belgium is investing $3.5 billion to build a shared air defense system with the Netherlands. The initiative, after twenty years without such capability, aims to enhance Belgium's air defense through joint procurement, as stated by Defense Minister Theo Francken.

Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken warns U.S. President Donald Trump against attacking Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, emphasizing Europe's continued reliance on U.S. defense support for up to a decade. Francken stresses the need for European unity in defense spending and procurement while urging diplomacy to maintain U.S. alliance, amid Trump's recent criticisms of NATO allies and U.S. troop reductions in Europe.

Pro-Palestinian activists disrupted a planned meeting between EU defense chief Andrius Kubilius and French arms manufacturer Thales in Herstal, prompting Belgian authorities to reschedule the event to Brussels due to security concerns. The protest targeted Wallonia’s ban on military equipment transiting to Israel, which activists argue remains ineffective despite regional government support for Thales’ increased rocket production.