‘We will not allow ourselves to be divided,’ German FM says backing Spain after Trump’s trade threats
On that note, Germany has offered its solidarity with Spain in a marked change of tone, after chancellor Friedrich Merz’s previous refusal to defend the European partner in front of Donald Trump sparked some tensions between Madrid and Berlin.
German foreign minister Johann Wadephul said that Spain can rely on solidarity from the European Union, and from Germany, when it comes to the threat of new US trade barriers, Reuters reported.
“We will not allow ourselves to be divided; we stand firmly together,” he said at a press conference with his Moldovan counterpart, Mihai Popsoi.
Key events
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First government-organised German repatriation flight from Middle East lands in Frankfurt
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‘We will not allow ourselves to be divided,’ German FM says backing Spain after Trump’s trade threats
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Nato’s Rutte praises Spain’s role across Nato territory amid US-Spain spat
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Rutte welcomes French nuclear deterrence debate, but says US remains ultimate guarantor
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Nato’s Rutte confirms Turkey’s ballistic missile interception was ‘serious’
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Italy will send naval assets to protect Cyprus, support Middle Eastern allies after requests for assistance, defence minister says
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France authorises US aircraft to use some of its Middle East bases, military says
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Spain sending frigate to help protect Cyprus, defence ministry confirms
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Italy, Spain, France, Netherlands to send naval assets to protect Cyprus, Italian minister says
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EU hopes to see US respect its trade agreement with applies to all countries, Kallas says on tensions with Spain
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Iran trying to ‘export war, expand it to as many countries as they can,’ EU’s Kallas says
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Sweden advises citizens to keep ‘warchest’ in cash
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Ukraine ready to share expertise on fighting against Shaheds with Middle East partners, Zelenskyy says
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‘They know it’s not true,’ Spanish defence minister rejects US suggestions of U-turn on Iran
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Morning opening: Spain dismisses suggestions it changed position on Iran
First government-organised German repatriation flight from Middle East lands in Frankfurt
Deborah Cole
in Berlin
Meanwhile, the first government-organised flight carrying German travellers stranded due to the US-Israeli military operation in Iran landed at the country’s busiest airport on Thursday morning,
More than 250 relieved passengers touched down in Frankfurt on an Airbus A340-300 operated by Lufthansa from Oman with a nearly two-hour delay due to a late departure.
The evacuees were handpicked by the German government among tens of thousands waylaid in the Gulf. The group whose transport was deemed most urgent were first driven over land to Muscat from various points in the region.
Foreign minister Johann Wadephul, who has faced criticism for a muddled reaction to the traveller crisis, identified particularly vulnerable groups to get priority for the flights including the pregnant, the ill and children.
Further evacuations are planned in the coming days.
Other German nationals had managed to get on a severely limited number of flights offered by commercial airlines in recent days, primarily from the United Arab Emirates.
A heated debate broke out in Germany this week about the extent to which the foreign ministry was responsible for ferrying nationals out of the crisis region and whether the ministry’s travel advisories in the run-up to the outbreak of war were sufficient.
Wadephul had falsely claimed in a television interview that a travel warning had been in place for Gulf states for several days when one was only levelled for Dubai, a popular German destination, on Saturday, the day the US-Israeli military action began.
A travel warning includes a formal urgent call for nationals to leave an affected area based on a concrete threat to their wellbeing.
‘We will not allow ourselves to be divided,’ German FM says backing Spain after Trump’s trade threats
On that note, Germany has offered its solidarity with Spain in a marked change of tone, after chancellor Friedrich Merz’s previous refusal to defend the European partner in front of Donald Trump sparked some tensions between Madrid and Berlin.
German foreign minister Johann Wadephul said that Spain can rely on solidarity from the European Union, and from Germany, when it comes to the threat of new US trade barriers, Reuters reported.
“We will not allow ourselves to be divided; we stand firmly together,” he said at a press conference with his Moldovan counterpart, Mihai Popsoi.
Nato’s Rutte praises Spain’s role across Nato territory amid US-Spain spat
Nato’s Rutte also responded to the public spat between the US and Spain over Madrid’s refusal to back the US-Israeli attack on Iran and its reluctance to meet the 5% GDP spending target.
Rutte said that Spain had signed up to the Hague declaration just like other countries, and the debate is not on capabilities, but on spending required to meet that target.
“Practice will show, but … I am sure they will see they need to spend what is necessary,” he said.
But he also pointedly praised Spain, stressing it has deployments “all over Nato territory,” including “defending key American interests in Turkey.”
He declined to clearly side with Washington or Madrid, saying:
“When there are debates between allies I always try to stay a bit muted and therefore able, if necessary, to help [to resolve these differences] a bit,” he said.
Rutte welcomes French nuclear deterrence debate, but says US remains ultimate guarantor
In his Reuters interview, Rutte also welcomed the French president Emmanuel Macron’s speech on nuclear deterrence on Monday, which he said “is opening up our conversation within Nato on what we need to have,” and adds a layer of complexity for enemies, like Russia.
But he said the US nuclear deterrence programme remained the critical element of Europe’s security.
“However, and we all agree on this, the ultimate, supreme guarantor of our way of life, the fact that we have free media, free press, that we have elections, that we have our way of life, [all] regained so hard fought after the second world war is … the United States nuclear umbrella, and that is key.”
He also rejected any suggestion that the French move could have anything to do with doubts as to whether the US was still committed to Nato.
“I’m absolutely convinced the US is completely committed to Nato – not only because the US knows that there is a historic reason to be so much involved in European security – … but also because the US knows that to stay safe itself, the US mainland, you need a secure Atlantic, a secure Europe, a secure Arctic.”
He also praised Trump for his actions strengthening the alliance.
Nato’s Rutte confirms Turkey’s ballistic missile interception was ‘serious’
Nato secretary general Mark Rutte is now giving an interview to Reuters, offering his reaction to the recent events in the Middle East.
On Wednesday, Turkey said Nato defences intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Iran before it entered Turkey’s airspace.
Rutte said it was a “serious and absolutely condemnable” incident, but declined to offer more details. He said it did not provide an immediate reason to trigger the mutual defence clause in Article 5.
Speaking more broadly about Iran, Rutte said that “we know that Iran was close to getting his hands on a nuclear capability … which would be a threat not only to the Middle East, and of course, to Israel, … but also a threat to Europe.”
He said the Iran war was still in “early stages,” and “it will be difficult to assess exactly how this will end in the coming weeks,” but he added:
“There is widespread acknowledgment and agreement that at least we have to be sure that going forward, Iran is not [going to be] able again to pose death threat to its neighbours, to Israel, the Middle East, to Europe, but also through its terrorist activities, exporting chaos, exporting terrorism, basically to the whole world.”
Nato’s Rutte also insisted that there is an understanding that the Iran war should not distract allies from supporting Ukraine as it continues to defend itself from Russia.
“The fact that Ukraine is now exporting [its capabilities] and making available to allies, friends, partners – it’s impressive,” he adds.
Italy will send naval assets to protect Cyprus, support Middle Eastern allies after requests for assistance, defence minister says
Angela Giuffrida
in Rome
Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto said Italy will send naval assets to protect Cyprus in the coming days as well as anti-drone and anti-missile air defence systems to Middle East countries.
Speaking to parliament before a vote on Italy sending military aid to the Middle East, he confirmed earlier suggestions by prime minister Giorgia Meloni (10:56).
”We’re not the only country facing this situation and we have all received requests for assistance,” Crosetto said.
“We are evaluating together, including how to share responsibility … we must reassess our positions in the region and respond to the requests of friendly countries in difficulty.”
Crosetto added that Italy intended to deploy a “multi-domain” presence in the Middle East, “with anti-drone and anti-missile air defence systems within the scope of our authorised operations and within the limits of our missions”.
Among of the Italian opposition parties, the Five Star Movement said its deputies would abstain from the vote.
“Europe doesn’t have enemies, Italy doesn’t have enemies, but we are fighting the enemies of others – the US and Israel are choosing our enemies,” said Five Star Movement deputy Arnaldo Lomuti.
He added that Italy ought to be “sending an aid package to Iran” and “sanctioning the US and Israel for attacking it”.
France authorises US aircraft to use some of its Middle East bases, military says
Meanwhile, France has allowed US aircraft on some of its bases in the Middle East during the conflict opposing the United States and Israel with Iran, the French military said.
“As part of our relations with the United States, the presence of their aircraft has been temporarily authorised on our bases” in the region, a spokeswoman for the military general staff told AFP.
“These aircraft contribute to the protection of our partners in the Gulf.”
Spain sending frigate to help protect Cyprus, defence ministry confirms
Sam Jones
in Madrid
Spain, whose fierce opposition to the US and Israeli strikes on Iran and refusal to allow bases in its territory to be used in the attacks has prompted Trump to threaten to stop all trade with the country, has announced that it is sending a frigate to help protect Cyprus.
The announcement comes four days after a drone attack on the UK’s RAF Akrotiri base on the island.
In a statement, Spain’s defence ministry said:
“The frigate Cristóbal Colón joined the Charles de Gaulle Naval Group on 3 March to carry out escort, protection, and advanced training duties in the Baltic Sea. The group will now head to the Mediterranean, arriving off the coast of Crete around 10 March.
The supply ship Cantabria will also briefly put to sea to provide fuel and logistical support during the Naval Group’s transit through the Gulf of Cádiz.
The Cristóbal Colón is the most technologically advanced frigate. Its mission in the Mediterranean will be to provide air defence and protection, thus complementing the capabilities of the Patriot battery deployed in Turkey. It will also be on standby to support any evacuation of civilian personnel who may be affected by the conflict.”
The statement added that the deployment was proof of Spain’s commitment to defending the EU and its borders.
Italy, Spain, France, Netherlands to send naval assets to protect Cyprus, Italian minister says
Meanwhile, Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto signalled that Italy, Spain, France and the Netherlands will send naval assets to protect Cyprus in the coming days.
Separately, Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni told RTL 102.5 radio station that Italy was also planning to send air defence aid to Gulf countries in response to Iranian airstrikes, Reuters reported.
She said the move was driven not only by diplomatic ties but by the presence of Italians on the ground. Tens of thousands of Italian nationals live in the Gulf, while around 2,000 Italian troops are deployed there, she said.
EU hopes to see US respect its trade agreement with applies to all countries, Kallas says on tensions with Spain
Kallas was also asked about the tension between the US and Spain (9:49), but issued a rather diplomatic answer, saying that:
“Trade is the European competence. We have a trade deal with United States that was signed in June, so we hope that United States also respects this agreement that applies to all member states.”
EU’s Kallas also repeats the point about how Ukraine could help the Gulf countries with its experience of intercepting drones.
She says that some of the regional leaders expressed their positive “surprise” about “how much Ukraine is helping them in this regard, keeping in mind that they are under heavy attacks all the time.”
Iran trying to ‘export war, expand it to as many countries as they can,’ EU’s Kallas says
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is now speaking ahead of today’s extraordinary meeting of the bloc’s foreign ministers.
She says that “Iran is exporting the war, trying to expand it as to as many countries as they can to sow chaos.”
“What we see in the Middle East … [is] actually the same drones that are attacking Kyiv every day now … [and] Ukraine can help the Gulf countries, because they have developed … drone interceptors and drone protection.
So we [will] see also how we can put these things together to help the countries to fight back the drone attacks.”
Some countries in the region also expressed concerns about the prospect of a “civil war inside Iran because of the regime’s leadership [change] and what is going on there.”
Kallas adds the first priority is “the safety of our citizens … in the region,” with close coordination of the EU member state’s consular services.
She also said the EU was “extremely worried” about maritime security and the traffic through the strait of Hormuz, and will work on naval missions to help with that.
She also warned that any spike in oil price caused by the conflict in the Middle East could inadvertently help Russia to fund its war against Ukraine, saying that is why “we have to really push through the maritime services ban” to target Russia’s shadow fleet.
Sweden advises citizens to keep ‘warchest’ in cash
Miranda Bryant
Nordic correspondent
The bank of Sweden has released new guidance advising Swedish households to keep a “warchest” of 1,000 SEK (about £81) per adult amid the current global instability.
Riksbanken said the sum is calculated to cover a week’s supplies in case of crisis or war.
The population is also advised to have access to a functioning Swish (a popular Swedish digital payment service) account on their mobile and payment cards from two different banking networks.
According to estimates, six out of 10 Swedish households need to increase their cash supplies to get it up to the recommended level.
Riksbanken’s first deputy governor, Aino Bunge, said:
“It is a recommendation. It is based on the Swedish Consumer Agency’s calculations of how much food people tend to get through per month.”
But, she added, that people should build up the cash supplies over time rather than rushing out to take out cash. She added: “This is a preparedness that we should build over time.”
Ukraine ready to share expertise on fighting against Shaheds with Middle East partners, Zelenskyy says
Meanwhile, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine was ready to offer partners in the Middle East its practical support on fighting against Iranian Shahed drones.
In a post on X, he said a number of partner countries including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and Qatar were “seeking our expertise,” including a further request from Europeans and the US.
Oh, how the tables have turned.
“Of course any assistance we provide is only on the condition that it does not weaken our own defence in Ukraine and it serves as an investment in our diplomatic capabilities: we help protect against war those who help us, Ukraine, to bring the war to a dignified conclusion,” he added.
Zelenskyy also offered an update on the next round of trilateral talks with Russia and the US, which was planned for early March. He said he spoke with the US about potentially postponing the meeting “for a while due to the war in the Middle East,” and moving it to another location.
‘They know it’s not true,’ Spanish defence minister rejects US suggestions of U-turn on Iran
Sam Jones
in Madrid
Spain’s defence minister, Margarita Robles, has become the latest member of Pedro Sánchez’s government to emphatically dismiss White House suggestions that the administration has executed a U-turn and is now prepared to let the US use its bases to strike Iran.
Robles told Cadena Ser radio she did not know why the White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, had told reporters on Wednesday that Spain was now prepared to cooperate with the ongoing offensive.
She said:
“They know it’s not true. Words are just words. I’m not going to speculate; obviously, it could be a step backward they’re trying to take after President Trump’s inappropriate statements, but the facts are crystal clear. The Spanish government will not authorise the use of the Morón and Rota bases in this context.
We all understand that what is happening in Tehran is terrible, a violation of human rights. As a woman, I am particularly pained by the situation of women in Tehran, but no one can become the international guardian. There are norms, rules; even within the United States, congressional authorisation would have been required. Spain cannot support unilateral actions that lack support from international law.”
Robles also said the government’s position had been “crystal clear from day one”, adding:
“Ethically and legally, we are doing the right thing. We will always support peace scenarios because Spain only acts when there is an umbrella of international law within the frameworks of the UN, Nato, or the EU.”
Morning opening: Spain dismisses suggestions it changed position on Iran
Spain has emphatically dismissed US suggestions that it changed its view on the Iran war and is now prepared to let the US use its bases to support the mission.
The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, suggested to reporters last night that Madrid now backed the US’s military action after facing public criticism from Trump, who threatened to “cut off all dealings with Spain.”
“I think they heard the president’s message yesterday loud and clear,” Leavitt told a news briefing. “It is my understanding over the past several hours they’ve agreed to cooperate with the US military.”
Well, not really.
Our Madrid correspondent Sam Jones says her comments sparked another angry reaction from top Spanish politicians, with foreign minister José Manuel Albares telling Cadena Ser radio on Wednesday night:
“Our ‘no to war’ stance remains clear and unequivocal.
She may be the White House press secretary, but I’m the foreign minister of Spain and I’m telling her that our position hasn’t changed at all.”
Ouch.
In other news, EU foreign ministers are meeting virtually to discuss the latest in the region, as more and more countries begin their evacuation flights, with some even using military flights to get their citizens out.
More countries are also expected to decide about sending potential reinforcements to the region and to support EU ally Cyprus, with Germany reportedly considering such a move.
I will keep an eye on that.
It’s Thursday, 5 March 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.