Reflective and critical questions that European media are asking themselves before the holidays 🔽

Trump names Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry as Special Envoy for Greenland, reviving U.S. claims on the island. Greenland and Denmark’s prime ministers respond with a joint statement, saying they expect the U.S. to respect their shared territorial integrity. European press reactions ⏬

Ursula von der Leyen was supposed to sign a free trade agreement with Mercosur in Brazil on Saturday. But Paris and Rome objected, and the decision has been postponed until 2026. Europe's press is annoyed 🔽

The EU has granted Ukraine an interest-free loan of 90 billion euros. Frozen Russian funds will not be touched for the time being. The European press weighs in ⏬

The British magazine @economist.com has named Portugal the best economy of the year. But what does that mean exactly, and is the award deserved? For our Portugal correspondent Tilo Wagner, that's the debate of the week. ▶️ eurotopics.net/en/350174

Brexit ended the UK’s participation in Erasmus, but from 2027, European and British students will once again be able to study or train in each other’s countries. Is this a symbolic reunion — or a practical shift in UK–EU relations? Read the European press debate ⏬

Interim deal on Ukraine aid: Kyiv will get a €90 billion interest-free EU loan to keep defending against Russia, while frozen Russian assets remain untouched. How sustainable is Europe’s support as the war continues? Europe's press provides analysis. 🔽

The BBC is fighting back against Trump's multi-billion dollar lawsuit. The US president accuses the broadcaster of defamation. What are the chances of a successful trial? ⬇️

Should the EU grant Ukraine a multi-billion euro loan funded by frozen Russian assets? A decision is expected at today's EU summit. Europe's press discusses the pros and cons 🔽

The EU Commission wants to soften the ban on combustion engines: Even after 2035, vehicles with combustion engines should be allowed to be registered if their average carbon dioxide emissions are 90 percent lower than in 2021. ⏬

@economist.com has crowned Portugal the "Economy of the Year." Portuguese media have a thing or two to say about that ⬇️

Delegations from Ukraine, the United States, and the European Union held two days of negotiations in Berlin. How close did they come to a peaceful solution? ⬇️

Following the deadly attack in #Sydney on participants in a Hanukkah celebration, reactions in the European press reveal the close bond between Europe and Australia. Read the full debate 🔽

Civil rights activist Maria Kalesnikava, ex-presidential candidate Viktar Babaryka, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski have been freed in Belarus, along with 120 other political prisoners, after the US lifted sanctions. European media reactions here. 🔽

Italian cuisine is now a UNESCO #WorldHeritage site. Can one really have divided opinions about pizza, pasta, and pesto? Apparently yes, take a look 🔽

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declared his readiness for elections. However, a prerequisite must be that the #US and #Europe ensure the necessary security for it to safely take place. Commentators examine the chances of a fair vote. ⏬

Broadcasters from five countries are boycotting participation in the 70th #ESC2026 in Vienna due to the potential participation of Israel: Spain, Ireland, Iceland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands. Here is what the European press is saying ⤵️

US President Donald Trump has once again voiced sharp criticism of Europe: Their top politicians are "weak" because they want to be "politically correct." European commentators are debating how the continent should position itself in the future. ⏬

Starting today, young people under 16 in Australia are no longer allowed to use social media. Should Europe follow suit? Read the European media debate here 🔽

Netflix announces a €72B takeover of Warner Bros. — but Paramount jumps in with a €93B counteroffer. Regulators are already raising eyebrows. Read the debate here ⏬

One year ago, the Islamist HTS militia, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, and its allies ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. How has the country developed since then? And how should Europe respond? Read the debate here ⏬ www.eurotopics.net/en/349713/ho...

EU interior ministers have backed plans to streamline asylum rules — including faster rejections, a “safe countries” list, and “return centers” in third countries. Supporters call it efficiency, critics call it externalization. Read the commentary here ⏬ www.eurotopics.net/en/349712/eu...

The US has sharply criticized Europe in its new National Security Strategy. Here's how the European press is reacting 🔽 ▶️ eurotopics.net/en/349639

Important topics were on the agenda at the German-Polish government consultations. But relations between the two countries remain strained. This is the debate of the week for #Poland from correspondent Leo Mausbach. ▶️ eurotopics.net/en/349335

The EU is moving toward loosening labeling rules for genetically modified foods. The European press sees opportunities – and risks 🔽

The European Central Bank (ECB) opposes releasing frozen Russian funds to Ukraine, citing legal concerns. ECB President Christine Lagarde stated that they want to help Ukraine but do not want to violate EU treaties. The European press has reacted with mixed opinions🔽

A seal of approval for trustworthy media in #France, awarded by experts? #Macron adopts Reporters Without Borders' proposal to fight fake news. Not all commentators agree this is a good idea. 🔽

Former EU foreign policy chief and current head of the College of Europe in Bruges, Federica Mogherini, is under investigation for corruption over alleged secret deals tied to an EU-funded degree program. What are the consequences of this scandal? 🔽

The EU Commission apparently wants to reverse the ban on combustion engine vehicles from 2035. Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas stated in an interview that he is “open to all technologies.” What are the consequences if the EU changes its plan? 🔽

Israeli Prime Minister #Netanyahu has asked President Herzog for a #pardon. Here's how the European press is reacting 🔽

Yesterday, Berlin hosted the 17th German-Polish government consultations. The press is now asking why neighborly relations still haven't fully flourished. 🔽

Is Ukraine on the path to peace? Representatives from the US and Ukraine met in Miami to discuss Trump's plan. US negotiator Steve Witkoff plans to meet with Putin in Moscow. What are the chances of an agreement?

In Ukraine, Zelensky's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, has also resigned in connection with the corruption scandal in the energy sector. What consequences will this have for the president and his political future? 🔽

Britain’s finance minister Rachel Reeves presented her budget, combining tax increases with more child subsidies and less debt. @telegraph.co.uk mourns the end of an era. 🗞️ The press review: www.eurotopics.net/en/349181

France is introducing voluntary military service. There will be no conscription for the time being, President Emmanuel Macron said. The country must take a different path, argues Pascal Mazet, Communist member of the Occitania Regional Council in @humanite.fr. www.eurotopics.net/en/349180

US President Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff gave an advisor to Russian President Putin tips on how to win Trump’s favour, according to Bloomberg. Forum24 says it’s unlikely that Witkoff will face consequences. 📰 The press review: www.eurotopics.net/en/349105

Ceaușescu is making a comeback on TikTok with nostalgic videos praising the former dictator. @ro.rfi.fr sees conspiracy theories at play, especially among Romanians living abroad. 📰 The press review: www.eurotopics.net/en/349110

A woman or girl is killed by a family member or intimate partner every ten minutes, according to a UN report. Adevărul remembers the 51 women who have died as a result of femicide in Romania this year. 📰 The press review: www.eurotopics.net/en/349022

🍪 Fewer cookie clicks ahead? 💻 The EU is moving to simplify AI and privacy laws, a shift facing criticism as it would also let companies use Europeans’ personal data to train AI models. @irishexaminer.bsky.social calls for close scrutiny of the proposal. 🗞️ The press review ⬇️

European citizens and farmers’ associations, as well MEPs have protested against the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. @antoine-oger.bsky.social in @lemonde.fr calls both the agreement and the EU’s revised climate targets short-sighted. 🗞️ The press review: www.eurotopics.net/en/347979

COP30 ended on Saturday in Belém, Brazil without concrete targets for moving away from fossil fuels. Other issues are dominating the headlines right now, but sooner or later the reality of the climate crisis will catch up with the world, Milliyet comments.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke of a “tremendous amount of progress” after meeting with representatives from Ukraine in Geneva. It’s time to get the Ukrainian people involved, argues Jornal de Notícias. 🗞️ www.eurotopics.net/en/348866

🍟🍕 Ultra-processed foods are everywhere. Writing in The Lancet, scientists call on governments and society to do more to promote a diet based on fresh and minimally processed foods. Tough action is needed, says @lemonde.fr. www.eurotopics.net/en/348778

The US-Russian plan for Ukraine has now been presented to Kyiv. Normally both Ukraine and Europe would react with a resounding no, but the situation has changed to Ukraine’s disadvantage, observes SRF. 🗞️ www.eurotopics.net/en/348701

On World Children’s Rights Day, commentators discuss why birth rates continue to decline and Europe’s societies face ageing demographics. HuffPost Greece paints a dark picture for coming generations. 🗞️ www.eurotopics.net/en/348702

US and Russian officials have drawn up a 28-point plan to end the war in Ukraine, with no representatives of Ukraine or the EU present, according to media reports. @telegraph.co.uk charges the Trump administration with hypocrisy. 📰 www.eurotopics.net/en/348701

Opposition forces in Ukraine have called for the government to resign amid the ongoing corruption scandal in the country’s energy sector. Mykola Kniazhytskyi, MP for the party European Solidarity, calls for a government of national unity in Espreso. 📰 www.eurotopics.net/en/348626

The UN Security Council has endorsed US President Trump’s Gaza peace plan, opening the way for the deployment of an international force. Far from UN headquarters in New York, @elpais.com looks at the dreadful state of affairs in the Gaza Strip. 🗞️ www.eurotopics.net/en/348624

Polish intelligence is investigating a bombing attack on a railway line linking Poland and Ukraine. Russian aggression has crossed Poland’s borders, claims @mszuldrzynski.bsky.social in @rp.pl. 🗞️ The press review: www.eurotopics.net/en/348555

Britain has announced plans to tighten its asylum policy. The country is not alone in Europe in shifting to the right, Le Quotidien observes. 🗞️ The press review: www.eurotopics.net/en/348553