'We won £6m on the lottery – now I help out at a food bank'

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Kevin and Michele Jones from Cheshire won more than £6m on the lottery back in 2016.

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Two more charged over disorder at Nowak protest

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Twelve police officers and a police dog were injured during protests on 2 June.

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Mark Rutte says Nato needs ‘more forces, more resources’ ahead of defence ministers meeting– Europe live | World news

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June 17, 2026

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Morning opening: G7 commits to ‘unwavering support for Ukraine’

Jakub Krupa

Despite some early concerns about Donald Trump’s position, the G7 leaders meeting in France have agreed on a statement declaring their “unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”

G7 leaders pose for a family photo during the G7 summit, in Evian, eastern France. Photograph: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

The statement, published overnight, says:

“We commend Ukraine for its resilience and progress on the battlefield in recent months and emphasise there is now a new momentum.

To support and accelerate this new momentum, we agree to increase the delivery of air defence capacities, additional systems and interceptors, and long-range capabilities.

We are also ready to consider extending to Ukraine the benefit of licenses to allow for an increase in Ukraine’s military production.”

In a classic Trump-era move, the statement on Ukraine also includes some pointed praise of the US president in a pointed attempt to keep him on side:

“We commit to increase the pressure on the Russian war economy. In this context, we will strengthen our sanctions, including those on the oil and gas sectors. We consider this the right moment to proceed with additional measures, as president Trump has delivered a deal that we support in reopening the strait of Hormuz.”

I guess, whatever works, right?

The leaders will continue their talks today discussing economic growth and AI, with the latter session likely to get some attention as they will meet with the bosses of OpenAI and Anthropic.

Later tonight, France’s Emmanuel Macron will host the US president at the Palace of Versailles to mark the 250th anniversary of the US independence. Unusually enthused Trump said last night that it was “a real deal,” and that he was looking forward to it.

US president Donald Trump and French president Emmanuel Macron prior to a family photograph before a gala dinner as part of the G7 summit, in Evian, France. Photograph: Jeanne Accorsini/SIPA/Shutterstock

Separately, we will hear from Nato’s secretary general Mark Rutte this morning ahead of tomorrow’s meeting of the alliance’s defence ministers – and less than a month before the much-dreaded Ankara summit, which once again will be all about keeping Trump on side.

Lots to cover today.

It’s Wednesday, 17 June 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.

Good morning.

Key events

Potential reopening of dialogue with Russia ‘clearly debated among allies,’ Rutte says

Rutte gets asked about potential reopening of channels with Russia, as advocated by some leaders, including Finland’s Alexander Stubb.

He says “clearly it is something debated among allies,” primarily through the EU, but it’s not something that came up at the Nato level so far.

“It’s really a discussion playing out in the EU at the moment, and of course we are following that, and will be supportive wherever we can.”

Rutte gets pressed on his points about Europe taking more responsibility for their own defence, as he gets challenged that this could take away from their support for Ukraine.

The has the two need to go “hand in hand, and everybody realises that.”

Rutte says that the G7 statement on Ukraine today shows that all Nato allies are “completely commited to making sure that Ukraine maintains its position in the fight against Russia, and is able to defend itself.”

He says the US also continues its support in areas that only they can provide, including the air defence Patriot systems, which is paid for by European and Canadian allies.

He says he wants the summit to deliver “an absolute ironclad commitment” to Nato spending pledges from last year, and to Ukraine.

‘We are not naive,’ Rutte says on reports China helps Russia with military training

Rutte also gets asked about China’s apparent help to Russia through training, as recently disclosed by the EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas.

He says Nato is “constantly trying to follow exactly what China is doing.”

“We are not naive. We follow everything exactly. I cannot tell you more at this moment, or at least in this open press conference, but you can be assured that we follow every [bit].”

Rutte gets asked about the Czech Republic’s troubles with getting to 2% defence spending under Andrej Babiš.

He says:

“We know each other for many years, and I know that the Czech Republic is as committed as everyone to what we decided in The Hague.

Czechia did not reach the 2% last year, but I know that the Czech government is working very hard to make sure that when it comes to a credible trajectory, it will be there.”

Rutte says he expects Zelenskyy to have a full programme of meetings at Nato’s summit in Ankara next month, but notably “no sit down with all the 32 leaders.”

Rutte gets asked about what Ukraine is likely to get from the Nato summit next month.

He says there were already some positive statement coming out of the G7 in France.

He says Nato will “focus particularly, of course, on what Ukraine needs to maintain the fight,” including the flow of military equipment, including the US interceptors for the Patriot system.

He says the focus will be on “making sure the money is there.”

“I’m pretty confident that collectively we’ll make sure you have what you need as far as Europeans and Americans can help to defend yourself,” he says.

Rutte gets pushed further about the question on timeline, which he completely avoided answering at the first time of asking.

He gives a muddled answer, saying it’s impossible to answer this question.

“It’s not that you can answer that question with a yes or no. It’s clear that US has adjusted its commitment to the Nato force model, but it’s in technical terms, it is not a yes or no.”

Rutte gets asked about spending commitments, and some countries that appear to be dragging their feet.

He says that overall, the increases are “really staggering,” with many countries “really ramping up” their spending.

Rutte also gets asked about the potential Nato/European assistance in the strait of Hormuz.

He says it comes outside the Nato framework, but it is clear that France and the UK are coordinating on this, and it was discussed at the G7 summit in France.

“Whether Nato will play a role there, yes or no… if helpful, of course we will play a role, but if they can do it without us, also okay; we are always ready to help if so wanted.”

Let’s say journalists are somewhat suspicious of the positive spin Rutte is putting on the changes to the Nato Force Model.

He gets asked about them further.

He stays on message:

“We have already seen that, as the United States has adjusted its pledge contributions, other allies have stepped up to contribute more, in some cases completely, in some cases nearly, but there are also areas that require more work, but the overall picture is looking good.”

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