Digital ministers from the D9+ group, which represents some of the European Union’s most digitally advanced member states, are pushing for a unified approach to address growing concerns over children’s safety on social media.

In a joint declaration, 14 EU tech ministers led by Luxembourg called on the European Commission to adopt “a truly European approach to protecting children online” by coordinating the enforcement of EU rules governing child safety.

They also urged the bloc to develop “a common approach to the digital age of majority across the EU,” referring to a potential union-wide age limit for accessing social media platforms.

Last month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen indicated that the bloc could consider introducing legislation to this effect as early as this summer.

However, the declaration also highlights a dissenting voice. Estonia, which has emerged as a prominent critic of EU social media restrictions, raised objections to horizontal age restrictions at the EU level and stated that it does not support provisions aimed at enforcing age limits on digital platforms.

Estonia also opposed what it described as “disproportionate” age verification measures that would require all users to verify their age and identity.

In contrast, the remaining members of the D9+ group supported “privacy-preserving EU-wide age verification” in the declaration.

This position appears to reference the EU’s own age-verification technology intended for national implementation, which the Commission asserts is secure from a privacy perspective.

The member states also demanded that online platforms adapt their interfaces based on the age and vulnerability of their users.

This refers to ensuring platforms are safe by design and age-appropriate by default.

Furthermore, the ministers requested that the Digital Fairness Act (DFA)—a set of rules aimed at strengthening online consumer protection by tackling dark patterns and addictive designs, which the Commission plans to propose by the end of the year—be a “targeted” instrument within the context of the bloc’s broader regulatory simplification efforts.

The declaration also addresses other digital policy areas, with a particular emphasis on the EU’s technology sovereignty following the Commission’s adoption of a major microchip and cloud proposal last week.

The 14 digital ministers demanded that technology sovereignty be pursued “openly,” calling for measures to ensure that digital sovereignty does not become “solely an EU-specific vision.”

This phrasing implies that the D9+ countries would reject EU digital infrastructure support measures that could be accused of being protectionist by excluding foreign providers.

The Commission’s draft Cloud and AI Development Act allows foreign cloud providers the flexibility to obtain certification as EU partners at nearly the highest sovereignty levels.

The D9+ group includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden.

All five of the Royal Navy’s active Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarines are reportedly held in port for repairs or maintenance, leaving the UK with no operational vessels of this class ready for deployment.

According to a report by The Telegraph, which cited naval sources, although a sixth submarine of the same class has officially joined the fleet, it is not yet ready for deployment.

The current situation means that the UK temporarily lacks any nuclear-powered attack submarines cleared for active operations. Ryan Ramsey, a former nuclear submarine commander, described the development as a serious warning signal. “We look vulnerable,” Ramsey said. “The Russians know we can’t get our submarines to sea. When you cannot provide a deterrent at sea, you lose credibility in the eyes of the Russians.”

Lord Alan West, the former First Sea Lord and former security minister, also described the state of the submarine fleet as unacceptable and deeply concerning.

The UK Ministry of Defence stated in response to the reports that it does not normally comment on the operational status of the submarine fleet. Emphasizing that British waters remain protected at all times through a range of measures, the ministry added that strengthening underwater capability continues to be a top priority.

Astute-class nuclear submarines are tasked with protecting the UK’s Vanguard-class strategic ballistic missile submarines, which carry the country’s nuclear deterrent, as well as the aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales during their deployments.

Separately, the UK’s Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, General Gwyn Jenkins, admitted in an interview with the Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet in April that the Royal Navy was not sufficiently prepared for a potential war.

While noting that the navy possesses the resources to conduct combat operations and that personnel stand ready to carry out orders, Jenkins added: “But are we as ready as we should be? I think not.” He indicated that efforts to improve readiness levels remain ongoing.

Previously, The Sun newspaper reported that only two of the UK’s six Type 45 destroyers were operational. One of these active vessels, HMS Dragon, was deployed to the Mediterranean to protect British military bases in Cyprus.

The Telegraph also reported that due to a shortage of available ships, the government in London was forced to utilize a German vessel.

The state of the Royal Navy has been described in the British parliament as a “national embarrassment,” while US President Donald Trump has criticized the fleet, referring to it as a “toy navy,” according to reports by The Guardian.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stated that Russia has no intention of fighting a war with Europe, dismissing such claims as nonsense. Putin has maintained that Western governments are escalating the situation to portray Russia as an adversary.

Morten Wierod, the Chief Executive Officer of ABB, the Swiss-Swedish multinational industrial technology giant, has warned that Europe could face mass unemployment unless it urgently deregulates its economy in the face of an energy shock triggered by war in the Middle East.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Wierod stated that European policymakers are failing to show the necessary sense of urgency regarding reforms, noting that rising gas prices are undermining the European Union’s competitiveness against the United States.

“I hope we don’t have to see a much more severe crisis that leads to mass unemployment. Such a crisis should not be a mandatory prerequisite to gain that sense of urgency,” Wierod said.

ABB, a global leader in electrotechnical and industrial automation, employs approximately 110,000 people worldwide and generates $33.2 billion in revenue. The company operates critical infrastructure businesses, including electrical distribution, building management, robotic equipment for manufacturing facilities, and data center support. Its technologies are utilized in one out of every four data centers globally.

Wierod argued that the single market and the EU as a whole must completely eliminate, rather than merely simplify, excessive regulations to stimulate economic growth. He also criticized Brussels’ plans to reduce dependence on foreign technologies, warning that this approach will lead to unforeseen consequences and rising costs.

“When you build regulation around the ‘Made in Europe’ debate, we always see that there are side effects,” Wierod stated.

Nevertheless, Wierod acknowledged that Europe possesses strong assets, including a skilled workforce, access to high-quality education, and extensive experience in crisis management. He cited the region’s success in reducing its reliance on Russian gas from 35% to less than 10% within a single year as an example of this capability.

However, Wierod pointed out that rising gas prices—driven by supply disruptions in the Middle East caused by the war between the US and Iran—have increased competitive pressures on Europe. “I am not worried that there will be no gas in Europe. There will be gas, but it will be at a higher price,” Wierod said, adding that elevated prices will persist until 2027.

Following operations by the US and Israel, Iran announced the suspension of trade through the Strait of Hormuz. The strategic waterway carries 15% to 20% of global oil, condensate, and petroleum products, as well as more than 30% of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies.

Roxana Minzatu, the European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, also warned earlier this week that rising energy prices could lead to the loss of up to 1.3 million jobs across the EU.

According to European Commission estimates reported by Reuters, the automotive sector is expected to suffer the largest employment decline, with a projected loss of 600,000 jobs. The construction, metallurgy, chemical, and transport sectors could lose 56,000 jobs combined. Additionally, approximately 85,000 jobs in battery manufacturing projects and 58,000 jobs in solar panel manufacturing are reportedly at risk.

European Commission data shows that in 2023, 68% of medium-sized enterprises reported a shortage of qualified personnel, and in 2024, 77% of firms identified this shortage as an obstacle to investment.

According to information obtained by Politico, the Commission plans to include a distinct, dedicated block in its recommendations for the first time, emphasizing the necessity of investing in education, vocational training, adult learning, and staff reskilling.

Data from Eurostat indicates that the EU’s manufacturing sector employs approximately 30 million people. In 2023, the sector accounted for one-quarter of the EU economy’s €9.9 trillion net turnover.

In an analysis published in March, The Wall Street Journal reported that the energy crisis stemming from the war between the US and Iran could drag the European economy into a recession. The newspaper forecast that this development would come as a “bitter surprise” for Europe, noting that most of the announced support measures require large and immediate public expenditures.