Mats Cuvelier
@mcuvelier.bsky.social
Attorney based in Brussels - EU and Intl trade and security matters.
Reposted by Mats Cuvelier
Lieu de mémoire et de recueillement : les champs de mort de la Crête de Vimy (Pas-de-Calais).
Près de 4000 soldats canadiens, et sans doute davantage d'Allemands, y laissèrent la vie en 4 jours de bataille en avril 1917.
En ce #11novembre, souvenons-nous.
1/3
Près de 4000 soldats canadiens, et sans doute davantage d'Allemands, y laissèrent la vie en 4 jours de bataille en avril 1917.
En ce #11novembre, souvenons-nous.
1/3
November 11, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Lieu de mémoire et de recueillement : les champs de mort de la Crête de Vimy (Pas-de-Calais).
Près de 4000 soldats canadiens, et sans doute davantage d'Allemands, y laissèrent la vie en 4 jours de bataille en avril 1917.
En ce #11novembre, souvenons-nous.
1/3
Près de 4000 soldats canadiens, et sans doute davantage d'Allemands, y laissèrent la vie en 4 jours de bataille en avril 1917.
En ce #11novembre, souvenons-nous.
1/3
Reposted by Mats Cuvelier
"America is starting to eat Trump’s tariff TACO salad, UBS says" fortune.com/2025/07/25/t...
July 27, 2025 at 3:26 PM
"America is starting to eat Trump’s tariff TACO salad, UBS says" fortune.com/2025/07/25/t...
Reposted by Mats Cuvelier
This is probably the most detailed investigation we've ever done, proving which units and commanders were behind the use of cluster munitions in Kharkiv in the opening months of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
A new report by Bellingcat’s Justice & Accountability (J&A) Unit and @glanlaw.bsky.social detailing the use of cluster munitions in civilian areas in Kharkiv at the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine is published today. j-and-a.glanlaw.org/kharkiv
Kharkiv — Justice and Accountability Unit
j-and-a.glanlaw.org
July 23, 2025 at 1:21 PM
This is probably the most detailed investigation we've ever done, proving which units and commanders were behind the use of cluster munitions in Kharkiv in the opening months of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Reposted by Mats Cuvelier
The EU's expansion of Security and Defence Partnerships continues.
After agreeing to negotiate one with Australia last week and likely signing one with Canada tonight, next in line is New Zealand:
After agreeing to negotiate one with Australia last week and likely signing one with Canada tonight, next in line is New Zealand:
Great meeting with Christopher Luxon.
The EU-New Zealand friendship is thriving.
And our trade agreement is delivering.
The times call for partners to close ranks and act together for global security.
So let's step up and work towards a Security & Defence Partnership ↓
europa.eu/!vdx93h
The EU-New Zealand friendship is thriving.
And our trade agreement is delivering.
The times call for partners to close ranks and act together for global security.
So let's step up and work towards a Security & Defence Partnership ↓
europa.eu/!vdx93h
June 23, 2025 at 11:18 AM
The EU's expansion of Security and Defence Partnerships continues.
After agreeing to negotiate one with Australia last week and likely signing one with Canada tonight, next in line is New Zealand:
After agreeing to negotiate one with Australia last week and likely signing one with Canada tonight, next in line is New Zealand:
Reposted by Mats Cuvelier
16 member states want to use the national escape clause to get more space for defense spending under the 🇪🇺 fiscal rules. Notably absent: the 3 largest economies after 🇩🇪, namely 🇫🇷🇮🇹🇪🇸. From a fiscal point of view, probably a good sign as these countries have very little fiscal space. 1/3
June 5, 2025 at 8:56 AM
16 member states want to use the national escape clause to get more space for defense spending under the 🇪🇺 fiscal rules. Notably absent: the 3 largest economies after 🇩🇪, namely 🇫🇷🇮🇹🇪🇸. From a fiscal point of view, probably a good sign as these countries have very little fiscal space. 1/3
Reposted by Mats Cuvelier
Sigh. I don’t know why we’re defaulting to “the president presumptively gets to exercise unlawful authority while it winds its way through the appeals courts.”
BREAKING: A federal appeals court reinstated the most sweeping of President Trump's tariffs, a day after a trade court had ruled he exceeded his authority in imposing the duties and had ordered an immediate block on them reut.rs/43D867w
May 29, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Sigh. I don’t know why we’re defaulting to “the president presumptively gets to exercise unlawful authority while it winds its way through the appeals courts.”
Reposted by Mats Cuvelier
The Roberts court to Americans:
May 17, 2025 at 10:14 PM
The Roberts court to Americans:
Reposted by Mats Cuvelier
We debriefed 🇹🇷🇬🇧🇨🇦🇳🇴🇮🇸 of our landmark European Council yesterday.
With our REARM Europe plan, we are stepping up in defence.
For the defence of our people, territories and assets.
And for the long-term security of our brave neighbour Ukraine.
With our REARM Europe plan, we are stepping up in defence.
For the defence of our people, territories and assets.
And for the long-term security of our brave neighbour Ukraine.
March 7, 2025 at 11:56 AM
We debriefed 🇹🇷🇬🇧🇨🇦🇳🇴🇮🇸 of our landmark European Council yesterday.
With our REARM Europe plan, we are stepping up in defence.
For the defence of our people, territories and assets.
And for the long-term security of our brave neighbour Ukraine.
With our REARM Europe plan, we are stepping up in defence.
For the defence of our people, territories and assets.
And for the long-term security of our brave neighbour Ukraine.
Reposted by Mats Cuvelier
All European leaders making statements of support for Ukraine really should put their money and arms where their mouths are this weekend. It is important to remember that Europe's efforts to date have been insufficient.
February 28, 2025 at 11:20 PM
All European leaders making statements of support for Ukraine really should put their money and arms where their mouths are this weekend. It is important to remember that Europe's efforts to date have been insufficient.
Reposted by Mats Cuvelier
Dear US,
You just lost the most atlanticist part of Germany.
Congratulations.
You just lost the most atlanticist part of Germany.
Congratulations.
Merz with remarkable clarity: „Absolutely no illusions“ about Trump. Goal needs to be step by step
independence from a US who „pretty much no longer cares about fate of 🇪🇺“.
„Unclear whether we will still speak of NATO in present shape“ by time of June summit or we need to come up with 🇪🇺alternative.
independence from a US who „pretty much no longer cares about fate of 🇪🇺“.
„Unclear whether we will still speak of NATO in present shape“ by time of June summit or we need to come up with 🇪🇺alternative.
February 23, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Dear US,
You just lost the most atlanticist part of Germany.
Congratulations.
You just lost the most atlanticist part of Germany.
Congratulations.
Reposted by Mats Cuvelier
“Things we expected happened in a most unexpected manner” -
European commissioner Andrius Kubilius
www.lemonde.fr/internationa...
European commissioner Andrius Kubilius
www.lemonde.fr/internationa...
Andrius Kubilius, commissaire européen : « Les Américains ont changé de formule, ils parlent maintenant de paix mais sans la force »
Dans un entretien accordé au « Monde », l’ancien premier ministre lituanien livre son inquiétude sur le virage des Etats-Unis à propos de l’Ukraine et sur les intentions de la Russie.
www.lemonde.fr
February 20, 2025 at 2:16 PM
“Things we expected happened in a most unexpected manner” -
European commissioner Andrius Kubilius
www.lemonde.fr/internationa...
European commissioner Andrius Kubilius
www.lemonde.fr/internationa...
Reposted by Mats Cuvelier
(FT) - The US is opposing calling Russia the aggressor in a G7 statement on the third anniversary of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, threatening to derail a traditional show of unity, according to five western officials familiar with the matter.
www.ft.com/content/7380...
www.ft.com/content/7380...
February 20, 2025 at 1:21 PM
(FT) - The US is opposing calling Russia the aggressor in a G7 statement on the third anniversary of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, threatening to derail a traditional show of unity, according to five western officials familiar with the matter.
www.ft.com/content/7380...
www.ft.com/content/7380...
Reposted by Mats Cuvelier
One Russian newspaper today sums up how Moscow views events of the last few days: “Dumbfounded Europe, kneed by America just below the belt, is still struggling to get its breath back.” #ReadingRussia
Steve's Reading Russia - Russian Press Review (17 February 2025)
YouTube video by Steve Rosenberg
youtu.be
February 17, 2025 at 6:48 AM
One Russian newspaper today sums up how Moscow views events of the last few days: “Dumbfounded Europe, kneed by America just below the belt, is still struggling to get its breath back.” #ReadingRussia
Reposted by Mats Cuvelier
Europe urgently needs its own plan of action concerning Ukraine and our security, or else other global players will decide about our future. Not necessarily in line with our own interest. This plan must be prepared now. There’s no time to lose.
February 15, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Europe urgently needs its own plan of action concerning Ukraine and our security, or else other global players will decide about our future. Not necessarily in line with our own interest. This plan must be prepared now. There’s no time to lose.
Reposted by Mats Cuvelier
Vance visiting Dachau and then meeting w the AfD and urging German politicians to welcome them into government is a "gotta hear both sides" for the ages.
meanwhile, in the foreign affairs department (www.nytimes.com/2025/02/15/w...)
February 15, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Vance visiting Dachau and then meeting w the AfD and urging German politicians to welcome them into government is a "gotta hear both sides" for the ages.
Reposted by Mats Cuvelier
Very normal "I'm at a death camp" face.
February 14, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Very normal "I'm at a death camp" face.
Reposted by Mats Cuvelier
The reality: Europe's China problem isn't going away, just cuz the Trump administration is pushing the transatlantic relationship to the brink.
As Corriere notes, it's not getting better from here "the second shock from China to the heart of European industry has [in some ways] just begun."
7/x
As Corriere notes, it's not getting better from here "the second shock from China to the heart of European industry has [in some ways] just begun."
7/x
February 15, 2025 at 11:33 AM
The reality: Europe's China problem isn't going away, just cuz the Trump administration is pushing the transatlantic relationship to the brink.
As Corriere notes, it's not getting better from here "the second shock from China to the heart of European industry has [in some ways] just begun."
7/x
As Corriere notes, it's not getting better from here "the second shock from China to the heart of European industry has [in some ways] just begun."
7/x
Reposted by Mats Cuvelier
Given that the US are screwing Europe over *because* we don't have a joint defence, it is time to bring out the mega thread on how to develop EU defences capacity.
Bottom line: @andriuskubilius.ec.europa.eu current plan seems by far not ambitious enough.
We need tools to stop being vassals.
Bottom line: @andriuskubilius.ec.europa.eu current plan seems by far not ambitious enough.
We need tools to stop being vassals.
Time to talk about EU defence.
in the past years, we conducted extensive research on the topic. What do we need? What Europeans want? How to deliver it?
let's dive in.
1/2
in the past years, we conducted extensive research on the topic. What do we need? What Europeans want? How to deliver it?
let's dive in.
1/2
February 13, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Given that the US are screwing Europe over *because* we don't have a joint defence, it is time to bring out the mega thread on how to develop EU defences capacity.
Bottom line: @andriuskubilius.ec.europa.eu current plan seems by far not ambitious enough.
We need tools to stop being vassals.
Bottom line: @andriuskubilius.ec.europa.eu current plan seems by far not ambitious enough.
We need tools to stop being vassals.
Reposted by Mats Cuvelier
Definite change in tone from the commission in recent weeks.
Leaving the door open to Trump to partner on China, via Sefcovic last week.
But also leaving options open with Beijing.
First time they've mentioned making "agreements" with China though. That's new.
Leaving the door open to Trump to partner on China, via Sefcovic last week.
But also leaving options open with Beijing.
First time they've mentioned making "agreements" with China though. That's new.
February 4, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Definite change in tone from the commission in recent weeks.
Leaving the door open to Trump to partner on China, via Sefcovic last week.
But also leaving options open with Beijing.
First time they've mentioned making "agreements" with China though. That's new.
Leaving the door open to Trump to partner on China, via Sefcovic last week.
But also leaving options open with Beijing.
First time they've mentioned making "agreements" with China though. That's new.
Reposted by Mats Cuvelier
Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis, writing in @financialtimes.com, calls for defence spending to be excluded from EU deficit rules, €100bn+ in new joint financing, & big shared military projects
“If our union is to remain a pole of peace & stability… There is no time to lose”
www.ft.com/content/94d1...
“If our union is to remain a pole of peace & stability… There is no time to lose”
www.ft.com/content/94d1...
Europe must spend more on its own defence
Military expenditure should be exempted from the EU’s fiscal rules
www.ft.com
February 3, 2025 at 6:27 AM
Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis, writing in @financialtimes.com, calls for defence spending to be excluded from EU deficit rules, €100bn+ in new joint financing, & big shared military projects
“If our union is to remain a pole of peace & stability… There is no time to lose”
www.ft.com/content/94d1...
“If our union is to remain a pole of peace & stability… There is no time to lose”
www.ft.com/content/94d1...
Reposted by Mats Cuvelier
Is there a word for when a bunch of private citizens following orders from an unelected billionaire occupy government buildings and cut off communications
January 31, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Is there a word for when a bunch of private citizens following orders from an unelected billionaire occupy government buildings and cut off communications
Reposted by Mats Cuvelier
This needs to end all talk about getting closer to the US rather than the EU. Immediately!
🚨🚨 I had really hoped this was going to blow over but this looks really, really bad. Massive pressure now on PM Frederiksen who now will need assurances from other European leaders. /1
The US president insisted he was serious in his determination to take over Greenland in a fiery telephone call with Denmark’s prime minister www.ft.com/content/ace0...
January 25, 2025 at 8:17 AM
This needs to end all talk about getting closer to the US rather than the EU. Immediately!
Reposted by Mats Cuvelier
This afternoon, CDU Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz gave a keynote speech on foreign and EU policy at @koerberip.bsky.social.
A thread on his main points on the EU and Germany's role in it:
A thread on his main points on the EU and Germany's role in it:
January 23, 2025 at 4:31 PM
This afternoon, CDU Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz gave a keynote speech on foreign and EU policy at @koerberip.bsky.social.
A thread on his main points on the EU and Germany's role in it:
A thread on his main points on the EU and Germany's role in it:
Reposted by Mats Cuvelier
"The key to dealing with Trump is for Europe not to play the victim" - smart advice by Ivan Krastev, highlighting the fact that Trump (and Musk) first seem to prefer to bully the US allies. Best to respond with calm and determination:
www.ft.com/content/44b2...
www.ft.com/content/44b2...
The key to dealing with Trump is for Europe not to play the victim
EU member states should not be in a hurry to appease the new US president
www.ft.com
January 21, 2025 at 12:12 PM
"The key to dealing with Trump is for Europe not to play the victim" - smart advice by Ivan Krastev, highlighting the fact that Trump (and Musk) first seem to prefer to bully the US allies. Best to respond with calm and determination:
www.ft.com/content/44b2...
www.ft.com/content/44b2...
Reposted by Mats Cuvelier
Hamilton Nolan nails it.
January 21, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Hamilton Nolan nails it.