BRUSSELS — The European Union mission to protect commercial vessels from Iran-backed Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea will be “purely defensive,” and will not conduct “any kind of attack,” the EU’s foreign policy chief said today. Seeking to differentiate the EU plan from the ongoing American-British Operation Prosperity Guardian, in which air strikes … Read more
As farmer protests continue around Europe, we unpack their various concerns and analyze their impact on the European election. We also take you to an extraordinary meeting of EU leaders in Brussels where crucial cash for Ukraine hung in the balance. Host Sarah Wheaton speaks to POLITICO’s Parliament reporter Eddy Wax among the thousands of … Read more
For the first episode of the year, host Aggie Chambre goes inside right-wing TV channel GB News and investigates the role it might play in shaping the future of the U.K. Conservative Party. And she looks at the scandals, controversy and culture that has surrounded the channel so far. With the help of the channel’s chief … Read more
But after Thursday’s European Council summit in Brussels, Sánchez rejected Attal’s comments and praised Spanish produce. He said that its popularity was due to its superior quality. “Our products’ success is the result of the huge innovative advances undertaken by the agricultural sector and the hard work of Spanish farmers,” the prime minister said. Sánchez … Read more
“We listen to European farmers … We are addressing short-term challenges,” von der Leyen posted on X during the meeting. Earlier Thursday, von der Leyen told a news conference that the Commission would work with the Belgian presidency of the Council on a proposal to cut the administrative burden on farmers ahead of the next … Read more
Vlad advocated for voluntary basic military training for men and women up to 35 years old. The general noted the end of compulsory military service in Romania as a reason for a shortfall in the army’s readiness. Vlad also called for legal reforms to empower Romania to defend itself against Russian drones. Debris from one … Read more
When: Friday 2 February at 11.00 Where: Anna Politkovskaya press room and via Interactio Key topics next week include: Key debate with Presidents Michel and von der Leyen on the outcome of the 1 February Special European Council; Debate on the need for unwavering EU support for Ukraine, two years into Russia’s war of aggression; … Read more
They fumed as to why the EU executive was issuing the target now, of all moments, with anti-green rage simmering, the far right pouncing, the EU election looming, and farmers blockading the front gates of the legislature. “Everyone was shooting at the 2040 target,” said one EPP official who, like others, was granted anonymity to … Read more
Addressing the Special European Council in Brussels today, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola highlighted the following topics: Ukraine: “I welcome the deal that we have just reached on Ukraine. Today we took the essential step in guaranteeing predictable medium-term financial support for Ukraine. Support that will underpin their recovery, reconstruction and reform. Support that will … Read more
To fulfill that aim, the EU agreed to give Kyiv €50 billion. As an extra concession to Orbán, the latest version of the draft European Council conclusions, seen by POLITICO, states that “if needed, in two years the European Council will invite the Commission to make a proposal for review in the context of the … Read more
