Europeans fear a deal between Trump and Putin

Despite the many files that were put on the discussion table in Dublin, most notably the artificial intelligence file, the attention of European Union leaders focused on the need for Europe to be part of the Ukrainian-Russian negotiations and to have a say in the future of security on the Old Continent.

Their statement stressed that “the path towards achieving peace must be drawn in consultation with Ukraine.” Ukraine's security "constitutes an integral part of Euro-Atlantic security."

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said: “Some here in Dublin fear that this will turn into a second Anchorage,” referring to a city that previously hosted a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He added: “Therefore, I would like to send our message to the United States very clearly: Please, no surprises. They continued to play as part of Team Europe and Team Ukraine.”

On Friday, a British court convicted a man wanted in Germany for involvement in an anti-Semitic plot, and who is believed to be a guard for figures in the Hamas movement, of committing a knife attack on a judicial officer.

A jury in Birmingham, central England, found that Muhammad Al-Fatih, also known as Muhammad Naeem, was guilty of a knife attack that occurred in front of his home in October 2025 in a dispute over unpaid parking fines owed by his wife.

British media reports indicate that the convict was a bodyguard for Hamas figures, and that he is the son of a senior official in the movement.

The convict was born in Germany, was granted asylum in Britain, and then obtained British citizenship in 2020.

He is also wanted in Germany on suspicion of involvement in a plot against Jews there, and is scheduled to appear before a court in London, where he is expected to face extradition proceedings to Berlin.

On Friday, he was convicted of two counts of illegally possessing a knife and wounding a judicial officer who was conducting a review into unpaid parking fines of more than 2,250 pounds ($3,000) owed to his wife, according to Agence France-Presse.

A recording shown during the trial showed the convict brandishing a knife at a shattered window of a van, and the judicial officer, Kevin Bucknall, was injured in the back of the head.

The jury was not informed during the trial of the existence of links between the accused and the Hamas movement. The ruling will be issued on January 11.