From a liberal leader calling on Hungary to break away from Moscow, Viktor Orbán has become a self-styled champion of illiberalism. And the Kremlin’s best friend in Europe. 🔗 www.politico.eu/article/vikt...

EXCLUSIVE: We've obtained a cache of text messages and recorded conversations between Russian intelligence officers and a student they coerced into becoming an informant. Here’s a rare insight into Moscow’s efforts to infiltrate opposition groups abroad: www.politico.eu/article/russ...

Countries no longer want to join the EU because it will make them richer. Now it’s because it’ll make them safer. 🔗 www.politico.eu/article/defe...

The European Commission is asking member countries to consider cutting back on oil and gas use, especially in the transport sector, in preparation for "prolonged disruption" to energy supplies from the Iran war.

Ukraine’s success in breaking Russia’s Black Sea blockade has given it vital expertise to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said today.

The Chinese captain of a suspected shadow fleet tanker was sentenced in absentia to one year in prison by a French court today.

In Playbook PM tonight: 🛢️ Keir Starmer chairs a therapy session on the Iran crisis. 📹 Plaid Cymru and Welsh Labour battle for airtime as they scrap for the Senedd. 🔵 Ex-Tory MP Andrew Rosindell gets dinged in court. Read more 👇

With his government struggling in the polls, British PM Keir Starmer is doubling down on one policy area that’s going down fairly well: his Brexit reset. But EU officials aren’t exactly jumping at the idea. 🔗 www.politico.eu/article/uk-k...

A top U.S. official pressured the European Union to join a Washington-led club on artificial intelligence and semiconductors today.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said most Syrians should go back to their homeland, following a controversial meeting with the country’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

COMMENTARY: Donald Trump’s negotiators don’t know how to deal with Iran — a determined enemy that seeks its own survival by imposing maximum pain on others. And we’re all paying the price. 🔗 www.politico.eu/article/iran...

For much of the 20th century, center-left parties rooted in trade unions and industrial labor were among Europe’s dominant political forces. Today, many are politically unrecognizable — or in dire straits. Here's why: www.politico.eu/article/euro...

A last-ditch attempt to reform the World Trade Organization failed at its ministerial conference in Cameroon, pushing a coalition of the willing to strike out on its own to save rules-based trade.

Hungary’s Viktor Orbán is set to lose next month’s election, according to polls. Still, the EU is preparing for a world in which he wins. We spoke to 10 diplomats about five ways the bloc could cope with the Hungarian leader if he stays in power 👇 🔗 www.politico.eu/article/5-wa...

Several European countries have condemned Israel over a proposed bill that would expand the use of the death penalty. But Israel is pushing back on that criticism.

Spain has banned U.S. military aircraft involved in the Middle East war from using its airspace, reaffirming Madrid’s opposition to Washington’s operations in Iran.

From liberal dissident to MAGA darling, Viktor Orbán has undergone quite a transformation. Here’s how the Hungarian leader has brought Budapest back into Moscow’s orbit. 🔗 www.politico.eu/article/vikt...

Ukraine needs to look for alternatives to the U.S.-made PAC-3 anti-ballistic missiles, even though Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has demonstrated their superiority, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

EXCLUSIVE: Messages and recordings shared with POLITICO offer rare insight into Moscow’s efforts to infiltrate opposition groups in Europe. 🔗 www.politico.eu/article/russ...

For nearly three decades, aspiring EU members have wanted to get richer. Now, they’re hoping to feel safer. And wealthier countries are getting close with the bloc. On today’s #BrusselsPlaybookPod, @zoyashef.bsky.social and @nicholasvinocur.bsky.social unpack this shift. 👇 pod.link/1244862657/e...

Russia ordered a British diplomat to leave the country over allegations of espionage today.

Former French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe is emerging as the strongest challenger to far-right figures Jordan Bardella and Marine Le Pen in next year’s presidential race, a new poll suggests.

Donald Trump’s distancing from Europe means richer countries now want EU membership for protection in a more fragile world. 🔗 www.politico.eu/article/defe...

Britain’s sanctions watchdog has fined a subsidiary of Apple £390,000 for payments it made to a Russian streaming platform.

As the Iran war enters its fifth week, should Whitehall ramp up contingency planning for its impact at home? British PM Keir Starmer is meeting industry bosses to explore the options. 🎙️ Sam and Anne discuss on today’s #PASAA 👇

The U.K. is pitching itself as an “honest broker” in global clean energy deals as the country searches for new partners in its rush to hit net zero.

British PM Keir Starmer wants to strike a pick-and-choose deal for access to the EU single market. But he faces an uphill battle convincing Brussels.

COMMENTARY: When it comes to war and diplomacy — much like in business — Donald Trump doesn’t sweat the details. He is a leader who goes with his gut. In Iran, that approach has finally let him down.

The EU is discussing contingency plans in case its longtime antagonist, Viktor Orbán, wins another term. Here are five options being floated 👇

Europe’s social democratic parties are collapsing — and their leaders don’t seem to know how to reverse the trend.

EXCLUSIVE: We've obtained a cache of text messages and recorded conversations between Russian intelligence officers and a student they coerced into becoming an informant. Here’s a rare insight into Moscow’s efforts to infiltrate opposition groups abroad:

Two decades ago, the EU’s economic appeal was clear: a wealthier West could help raise living standards. Now, as the postwar order frays and politicians question U.S. reliability, richer nations are being drawn to the bloc for the security it offers.

From a liberal leader calling on Hungary to break away from Moscow, Viktor Orbán has become a self-styled champion of illiberalism. And the Kremlin’s best friend in Europe.

The World Trade Organization’s ministerial meeting has ended without reaching a deal to extend a moratorium on e-commerce tariffs or on a broader reform work program for the beleagured global trade rules body.

For two decades, aspiring EU members wanted to join the bloc to get richer. Now, that’s changing. 🎙️ @zoyashef.bsky.social and @nicholasvinocur.bsky.social unpack this shift on today’s episode of #BrusselsPlaybookPod:

Britain’s Keir Starmer has invited energy, shipping and insurance bosses to explore ways to handle the economic fallout from the Iran war. Whether anyone other than Donald Trump can stop prices spiraling is another matter. More in London Playbook 👇

G7 ministers are holding yet another emergency meeting today to discuss how to limit the economic impact of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, as EU leaders look to Brussels for relief from soaring energy prices. Brussels Playbook has more 👇

Attal compte sur ses événements, Philippe sur les sondages, Retailleau sur ses militants. C’est l’heure de mettre en place les dynamiques. A découvrir dans Playbook Paris, par @ebertholomey.bsky.social 👇

As ministerial talks at the World Trade Organization stretched into overtime this evening, the delegates who had not yet caught their flights home were bracing for a decision on how a work plan to overhaul the struggling institution can move forward.

Earlier this month, a pro-Russian bot network began pushing a false claim that Hungarians were being urged “to take up arms … and kill Viktor Orbán.” It was part of a Kremlin-linked campaign ahead of Hungary's election, disinformation watchers say. 🔗 politico.eu/article/pro-...

The head of German arms maker Rheinmetall, Armin Papperger, drew scorn from Ukrainian officials and defense industry figures over the weekend after making dismissive comments about the country’s drone program.

In 2022, a former U.K. environment minister admitted it himself: Britain’s flagship post-Brexit trade deal with Australia was a failure. This week’s announcement of a free trade agreement Canberra struck with the EU has twisted the knife. 🔗 politico.eu/article/ange...

Votre shot dominical d'actu politique est servi! Au menu de Dimanchissime: — A la droite et au centre: l’appel à l’union ; Edouard Philippe en tête de peloton — Face à la course à l’Elysée, le gouvernement au défi d’exister

EXCLUSIVE: Finland’s Alexander Stubb tells POLITICO he believes his friends can handle what he calls “tough love.” So he is not hiding his bleak assessment of where his one-time golf partner Donald Trump’s presidency is taking the world. 🔗 politico.eu/article/iran...

Two drones entered Finland's airspace and crashed today, according to the country’s defense ministry, which said it is investigating the incidents.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned it may retaliate against American university campuses in the Middle East, claiming that recent U.S. and Israeli strikes have damaged two Iranian universities.

In today's Sunday Crunch: - No end in sight for the Middle East conflict - Israel Defense Forces official says Houthis will “pay the price” for strikes - U.K. prepares RFA Lyme Bay evacuation ship for Strait of Hormuz, retrofitted with mine-hunter drones

British PM Keir Starmer is unlikely to name a permanent chief of staff until May. Until then, Morgan McSweeney’s shadow looms large. We spoke to 20 current and former officials, ministers and MPs to build a picture of the state of play in No. 10 👇 🔗 politico.eu/article/keir...

EXCLUSIVE: Donald Trump’s messaging on what he wants from American allies in his war against Iran is so confusing that any effort to help in reopening the Strait of Hormuz remains deadlocked, according to four European government officials. 🔗 politico.eu/article/donl...

Giorgia Meloni’s referendum loss this week exposed her vulnerability. But Italy’s opposition will need to unite if it wants to seize the momentum and topple her. 🔗 politico.eu/article/melo...