Zelenskyy in Brussels to discuss security guarantees – POLITICO

Zelenskyy in Brussels to discuss security guarantees – POLITICO

Assurances of continued military support are especially critical for Ukraine now with Trump’s imminent return to Washington. The president-elect has made clear that his administration will expect Europe to take the lead in supporting Ukraine’s defense and oversee any future cease-fire deal between Kyiv and Moscow, a stark contrast to current President Joe Biden’s position. … Read more

Trump’s White House return is already pushing Europe and the UK closer together

Trump’s White House return is already pushing Europe and the UK closer together

 British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves talks to the media at the EU Council headquarter on Dec. 9, 2024 in Brussels, Belgium.  Thierry Monasse | Getty Images News | Getty Images BRUSSELS, Belgium ꟷ President-elect Donald Trump has not yet re-entered the White House, but the U.K. and neighboring European Union are already working … Read more

Slovak PM scolds new EU top team over Ukraine support – POLITICO

Slovak PM scolds new EU top team over Ukraine support – POLITICO

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico criticized the European Union’s new foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, and Council President António Costa for expressing support for Ukraine on behalf of the bloc on Monday. He said had he conveyed those sentiments in a phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen earlier in the day. … Read more

Putin approves new budget with record defense spending – POLITICO

Putin approves new budget with record defense spending – POLITICO

The bloc’s new foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas, European Council President António Costa and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos visited Kyiv on Sunday, on the first day of the new European Commission’s mandate, to reaffirm their “unwavering support to the Ukrainian people,” Costa said on X. Russian lawmakers had already approved the budget plans … Read more

Unprecedented protests sweep Georgia after government scraps EU bid – POLITICO

Unprecedented protests sweep Georgia after government scraps EU bid – POLITICO

A string of top officials including the Georgian ambassadors to Italy, the Netherlands and Lithuania have resigned in protest at the move, as well as Deputy Foreign Minister Temur Janjali. “What we see is this resistance has really gone beyond previous public demonstrations,” said Tinatin Akhvlediani, a senior researcher with the EU foreign policy unit … Read more

Mark Rutte is Mr. Nice Guy on day 1 at NATO toward the EU, Ukraine, Trump — even Putin – POLITICO

Mark Rutte is Mr. Nice Guy on day 1 at NATO toward the EU, Ukraine, Trump — even Putin – POLITICO

Still, that deep EU knowledge provides a marked distinction between Rutte (who was Dutch PM for 14 years) and his predecessor (who comes from non-EU Norway). “I’m good friends with all the senior leaders in EU, and I’m looking forward to working with them,” Rutte said, adding that he’s scheduled meetings with European Commission President … Read more

Meloni was on her best behavior — now her mask is starting to slip – POLITICO

Meloni was on her best behavior — now her mask is starting to slip – POLITICO

However, the euroskeptics in Budapest or Bratislava don’t have the clout to hollow out the EU on their own. But if joined by founding members like Italy, and perhaps The Netherlands, their promise — or threat — of turning the bloc into a “Europe of nations” becomes ever more possible. Plus, for the right-wing populists … Read more

Estonia’s Kallas resigns, triggering talks to form new government – POLITICO

Estonia’s Kallas resigns, triggering talks to form new government – POLITICO

Representatives from Reform, the liberal Estonia 200 party and the center-left Social Democrats already began coalition negotiations on July 8, with Michal leading the discussions. All parties hope to reach an agreement by the end of July, and the new government will likely take office at the beginning of August. EU leaders picked Kallas for … Read more

Here’s President Putin! The 5 weirdest political mix-ups ever – POLITICO

Here’s President Putin! The 5 weirdest political mix-ups ever – POLITICO

Mitterrand held office from 1981 to 1995 and remains France’s longest-ever serving president. He died in 1996 at the age of 79. The one where … Netanyahu feels nostalgic for Yeltsin Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mistakenly referred to his British counterpart Boris Johnson as Boris Yeltsin, the former (and very much dead) Russian president, at a … Read more

EU top jobs deal — French election, round 1 – POLITICO

EU top jobs deal — French election, round 1 – POLITICO

Listen on Spotify Apple Music Acast Straight from the European Council summit, we bring you the latest news and analysis on a range of tough issues on the leaders’ agenda. Host Sarah Wheaton is joined by POLITICO colleagues Barbara Moens and Aitor Hernández-Morales to discuss how EU leaders agreed on who they want to lead … Read more