September 23, 2025: Macron's Palestine move defies Trump; EU launches ‘Drone Wall’ against Russian air violations; plus, the UK’s vital OECD economic report

Welcome to the Meanwhile in Europe Podcast. Today is september 23, 2025. French President Emmanuel Macron formally recognized the state of Palestine at the U.N., a step taken by a majority of EU members, including France, Spain, and Ireland. The move drew criticism from the White House, which reiterated Donald Trump’s belief that recognizing Palestine was "a reward to Hamas". Separately, tensions between NATO and Russia escalated as Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that Russian aircraft violating Polish territory would be shot down, a message doubled down on by Poland's Foreign Minister at the U.N. Security Council. These threats follow recent Russian air incursions, leading seven "front line" EU countries to plan a "drone wall" to protect the eastern border. In the U.K., Chancellor Rachel Reeves is awaiting the crucial OECD Interim Economic Outlook, which will provide the British economy's "report card" in comparison to other G20 countries.