Drones hit ships in NATO waters, and Black Sea trade bears the cost
After a series of lethal drone attacks, suspected Russian drones struck two cargo ships off Bulgaria, according to Politico. Black Sea states are now asking NATO for support, and EU leaders are discussing how to restore safe passage. Shipping risk is a cost that can be priced. Higher war-risk insurance premiums and rerouting land on grain, fuel and metals exporters first, and then on buyers.
The attacks fall inside the waters of NATO members. That puts pressure on the alliance to fund maritime air defence and patrol assets. Naval and sensor contractors are the likeliest beneficiaries.
Italy takes over NATO’s Kosovo mission as US troop numbers fall
Italian General Roberto Vergori has taken command of the NATO mission in Kosovo, according to Il Sole 24 Ore. The handover comes as the mission must absorb a cut in US troops. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said radar in the Balkans would also defend Italy. Europeans are filling gaps the US leaves, and Rome gains influence in a region it considers its own neighbourhood.
Brussels signals Czech farm subsidies could be withheld over Babiš’s Agrofert links
According to an NGO’s account of a letter, reported by Politico, the European Commission considers Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s ties to the agro-chemical group Agrofert a conflict of interest. Babiš put the firm in a trust fund to keep it eligible for EU farm money, and Brussels is not convinced. Withheld subsidies would hit Czech farms, so the pressure on Prague is financial.
Non-obvious angle: a campaign in France was partly manufactured online
Politico’s Playbook Paris reports that David Lisnard, a French presidential candidate polling weakly, gained attention through an online campaign that was partly fabricated. This weakens the centre-right’s Bruno Retailleau, because online buzz can pull donors and activists away from a rival before any votes are counted.
Catch the next Gist for the continent’s moving pieces.
