POLITICO Europe
@politico.eu
📤 243518
📥 77
📝 16909
Nobody knows politics and policy like we do.
Trade in beef is a small portion of EU-Mercosur imports and exports, and that’s unlikely to change greatly with eased trade relations, economists say 👇 But these raw numbers don’t capture why European farmers feel resentful. 🔗
politi.co/44FbErm
12 minutes ago
0
1
2
For leaders like Romania’s president, the dilemma is how far to accept Donald Trump’s priorities and how strongly to resist his hostility to centrist European values. In an interview, Nicușor Dan discusses how the transatlantic alliance has changed. 🔗
politi.co/4pWlq0W
about 1 hour ago
2
8
2
OPINION: Regardless of Europe’s efforts to support Ukraine, the only thing that really matters is America’s security guarantees, which Volodymyr Zelenskyy must now secure — even if it means concessions elsewhere. Yet, everything suggests real power lies in Russia’s hands.
loading . . .
Ukraine’s security guarantees have been put in Putin’s hands
Washington’s guarantees are the only viable path to peace. But no matter how strong Zelenskyy believes they are, the real power lies with Russia.
https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-security-guarantees-have-been-put-in-vladimir-putin-hands/
about 5 hours ago
15
30
15
The companies that run the invisible digital networks powering daily life in Europe are piling on the pressure ahead of January reforms, which they argue present a pivotal opportunity for the EU to fix past mistakes.
loading . . .
Crunch time for Europe’s telecom rescue plan
January reforms deemed crucial for the future of mobile and internet networks.
https://www.politico.eu/article/crunch-time-for-europes-telecom-rescue-plan/
about 5 hours ago
1
9
3
A Russian government-owned company is set to be involved in manufacturing nuclear fuel in the heart of the EU, as part of a controversial proposal that’s awaiting approval from German authorities.
loading . . .
France enlists Russian state-owned company to help make nuclear fuel in Germany
It comes as the EU attempts to ban Russian energy imports, raising espionage and security concerns.
https://www.politico.eu/article/france-russian-state-owned-nuclear-germany-fuel/
about 5 hours ago
4
22
29
“Mercosur = death to agriculture” one sign read when tractors converged last week on the EU quarter. The anger over the proposed trade deal with Latin America is clear. And Brussels hears it. However, the actual fallout from the deal is much harder to quantify.
loading . . .
Europeans won’t be eating Brazilian beef this Christmas, but farmers are still fuming
Experts argue beef imports will have a minimal impact on Europe’s farmers, but for them it’s about more than the numbers.
https://www.politico.eu/article/europeans-probably-wont-be-eating-brazilian-beef-this-christmas-but-farmers-are-still-fuming/
about 6 hours ago
3
16
3
European leaders like Romania’s Nicușor Dan spent most of 2025 trying to work out how to live with Donald Trump. Or — even worse — without him.
loading . . .
Morality doesn’t matter much in Trump’s new world, Romanian president says
Nicușor Dan tells POLITICO the U.S. and the EU need to understand each other better.
https://www.politico.eu/article/morality-doesnt-matter-when-youre-dealing-with-donald-trump-romania-nicusor-dan-leader-says/
about 6 hours ago
2
46
11
The U.K. government is publishing its Animal Welfare Strategy and it includes a raft of Christmas gifts for animal lovers. It also gives Labour a handy dividing line to use against Nigel Farage and the Tories. London Playbook explains 👇
loading . . .
Goodwill hunting
What’s driving the day in Westminster. Politics and policymaking in the UK capital. By ANDREW MCDONALD with BETHANY DAWSON Send tips here | Subscribe for free | Listen to Playbook and view in…
https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/london-playbook/goodwill-hunting/
about 6 hours ago
1
13
5
Fresh from a European Council summit, French President Emmanuel Macron has responded positively to an offer of direct talks with Vladimir Putin — something most European leaders have eschewed for years. Brussels Playbook digs deeper 👇
loading . . .
How Macron stole the show
POLITICO’s must-read briefing on what’s driving the day in Brussels, by Gerardo Fortuna and Nicholas Vinocur. By NICHOLAS VINOCUR Send tips here | Contact us on X @gerardofortuna @NicholasVin…
https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/brussels-playbook/how-macron-stole-the-show/
about 6 hours ago
4
11
0
Macron a fait passer le message à Matignon : Sébastien Lecornu ne doit pas se priver de l'option 49.3 pour faire passer le budget. A lire dans Playbook Paris, ficelé par
@anthonylattier.bsky.social
.
loading . . .
C’est pas banal
Le briefing politique essentiel du matin, par Élisa Bertholomey, Anthony Lattier et Sarah Paillou. Par ANTHONY LATTIER Envoyez vos infos | Abonnez-vous gratuitement | Voir dans le navigateur DIS, Q…
https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/playbook-paris/cest-pas-banal/
about 7 hours ago
0
4
2
According to a POLITICO poll, more respondents in France and Germany want their governments to scale back financial aid to Kyiv than to increase it or keep it the same. In the U.S., Canada and the U.K., meanwhile, respondents tilt the other way 👇
politi.co/4pFG4SF
about 20 hours ago
24
23
22
Le dernier Dimanchissime 2025 est servi ! Au menu : — Budget : et à l’année prochaine ! — Face à la colère des agriculteurs, Genevard soutenue par ses prédécesseurs — Un Pnaco et un texte antirodéos vous sont offerts par Vendôme et Beauvau
loading . . .
Le budget coincé dans la cheminée
Présenté par Sopra Steria Par ÉLISA BERTHOLOMEY PRÉSENTÉ PAR Envoyez vos infos | Abonnez-vous gratuitement | Voir dans le navigateur ALERTE INFO : les menus des repas de Noël sont de moins e…
https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/dimanchissime/le-budget-coince-dans-la-cheminee/
about 21 hours ago
0
6
1
A last-minute turnaround from Italian leader Giorgia Meloni upended a self-imposed objective of signing the Mercosur agreement by Dec. 20. The delay shows that after two decades of negotiations, the pact continues to be a political minefield. 🔗
politi.co/48LFuNj
about 22 hours ago
1
14
2
France’s President Emmanuel Macron and his Russian counterpart may be heading for bilateral talks on Ukraine.
loading . . .
Paris welcomes Putin’s ‘readiness’ for bilateral talks with Macron
Macron said last week that it would be “useful” for Europe to reach out to Moscow to ensure that a peace deal in Ukraine is not negotiated solely by the U.S., Russia and Ukraine.
https://www.politico.eu/article/emmanuel-macron-vladimir-putin-tout-bilateral-talks-on-ukraine-russia-france/
1 day ago
7
37
12
Europe has faced withering attacks from U.S. President Donald Trump and tirades from X owner Elon Musk. But pro-EU memes are flowing thicker and faster than ever online. 🔗
politi.co/48UVziD
loading . . .
1 day ago
9
98
32
Talks between the United States and Russia on a ceasefire proposal for the war in Ukraine are progressing “constructively” in Florida, the Kremlin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev told reporters yesterday.
loading . . .
Ukraine talks proceeding ‘constructively’ in Miami, Russia’s envoy says
The Kremlin denied that trilateral talks with Ukraine, Russia and the U.S. were in the offing during the weekend meetings in Florida.
https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-talks-are-proceeding-constructively-russia-envoy-kirill-dmitriev-says/
1 day ago
15
16
6
If you thought U.K. politics was a rollercoaster this year, grip tight for 2026. We whip through the key dates for your diary in a year that will test whether Keir Starmer can survive 👇
politi.co/4j61rdh
1 day ago
1
20
0
The European Union’s 2035 ban on gasoline-powered cars is dead. Its killer: Germany. 🔗
politi.co/48KLiXu
2 days ago
19
42
23
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said today that the US has offered a format for peace talks featuring Ukraine and Russia at the same table.
loading . . .
US proposes Ukraine-Russia talks in Miami, Zelenskyy reportedly says
Washington “proposed this format as far as I understand: Ukraine, America, Russia,” Zelenskyy told reporters in Kyiv ahead of planned peace talks in Florida this weekend.
https://www.politico.eu/article/us-proposes-ukraine-russia-talks-in-miami-volodymyr-zelenskyy-reportedly-says/
2 days ago
10
36
7
After a marathon meeting this week, European leaders agreed on a plan to provide funding for Ukraine based on EU joint debt — but that wasn’t the plan most countries had been pushing for. Here’s who won, and who lost, at this crunch summit 👇
politi.co/3YydiaG
2 days ago
2
13
7
What exactly are the EU’s 27 members ultimately willing to contribute to save Ukraine? Thursday night’s summit of European leaders in Brussels offered an answer: ideally, someone else’s money.
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
loading . . .
Summit shows Europe still doesn’t want to pay to save Ukraine
Some northern countries have been sending cash to Kyiv for years, but many Europeans don’t see why they should.
https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-still-doesnt-want-to-pay-to-save-ukraine-european-council/
2 days ago
5
38
16
The removal of a prominent TV show host in Bulgaria has sparked a backlash, reigniting concerns about political pressure on the media amid the collapse of the country’s government.
loading . . .
Bulgarian TV host’s removal sparks protests
Maria Tsantsarova, host of a political talk show on the leading Bulgarian TV channel, was told Friday that she would not continue in her role, local media reported.
https://www.politico.eu/article/bulgaria-tv-host-maria-tsantsarova-removal-sparks-protests/
2 days ago
2
37
11
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán yesterday questioned who began the Russia-Ukraine war and criticized Western leaders for supporting Kyiv.
loading . . .
Orbán says unsure who started Russia-Ukraine war
The Hungarian leader has opted out of an EU agreement to borrow €90 billion to aid Kyiv.
https://www.politico.eu/article/hungary-viktor-orban-says-unsure-who-started-russia-ukraine-war/
2 days ago
33
50
35
After two months of resistance, Belgium’s Bart De Wever ultimately got his way, as plans to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine collapsed after a night of negotiations between European leaders. Here’s the inside story of how he did it 👇
politi.co/4pMPcVO
2 days ago
6
16
12
Here’s our POLITICO Confidential newsletter with some of our best stories of the week. Have a read 👇
loading . . .
Thank you for reading
The best of POLITICO’s coverage selected by Senior Executive Editor, Europe Kate Day. Discover the most impactful stories in Europe and beyond. By KATE DAY View in your browser Dear readers, …
https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/politico-confidential/thank-you-for-reading/
2 days ago
0
7
0
🎨 Every week, the world's political cartoonists draw their take on the stories that have people talking around the globe. And every week, we round up the best one 👇
loading . . .
World’s cartoonists on this week’s events
Drawing the top stories around the globe.
https://www.politico.eu/article/worlds-cartoonists-on-this-weeks-events-182/
2 days ago
2
22
6
The EU wants its everyday citizens to invest. The trouble is, it can’t find a way to stop the finance industry from ripping them off.
loading . . .
EU wants to take on Wall Street — but can’t stop its investors getting fleeced
The EU’s final version of the Retail Investment Strategy is a shadow of Brussels’ original proposal.
https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-wall-street-cant-stop-its-investors-getting-fleeced/
2 days ago
5
46
19
After a marathon meeting, European leaders agreed on a plan to provide funding for Ukraine based on EU joint debt — but that wasn’t the plan most countries had been pushing for. Here’s who won, and who lost, at this crunch summit 👇
politi.co/3YydiaG
3 days ago
2
17
8
EU taxpayers will have to pay €3 billion per year in borrowing costs as part of a plan to raise common debt to finance Ukraine’s defense against Russia, according to senior European Commission officials.
loading . . .
EU to pay €3B a year in interest for Ukraine loan
Leaders opted to raise common debt rather than leverage frozen Russian assets to finance the loan.
https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-to-pay-e3b-interest-per-year-ukraine-loan/
3 days ago
9
23
10
It's been a tough week in EU politics for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. He took a bold stance on EU funding for Ukraine, frozen Russian assets and on the Mercosur deal. It didn't go to plan ... Catch up in your weekly Berlin Bulletin 👇
loading . . .
Friedrich’s flop
A weekly newsletter on German politics, with news and analysis on the new government. By JAMES ANGELOS with NETTE NÖSTLINGER Send tips here | Subscribe for free | View in your browser MERZ MISFIRES…
https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/berlin-bulletin/friedrichs-flop/
3 days ago
1
9
3
If you thought U.K. politics was a rollercoaster this year, grip tight for 2026. We whip through the key dates for your diary in a year that will test whether Keir Starmer can survive 👇
politi.co/4j61rdh
3 days ago
0
9
4
In tonight's London Playbook: 🕊️ What holiday season? Top Starmer aide Jonathan Powell negotiates Ukraine in the US. 💷 Leaks in Parliament: The apparent cost of a restoration option slips out. 🗽 Revealed: The high-profile US guest arriving in Jan.
loading . . .
London Playbook PM: No hols in war
What’s driving the day in Westminster. Politics and policymaking in the UK capital. By EMILIO CASALICCHIO Send tips here | Subscribe for free | Listen to Playbook and view in your browser Goo…
https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/london-playbook/london-playbook-pm-no-hols-in-war/
3 days ago
0
3
0
After two months of resistance, Belgium’s Bart De Wever ultimately got his way, as plans to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine collapsed after a night of negotiations between European leaders. Here’s the inside story of how he did it 👇
politi.co/4pMPcVO
3 days ago
6
13
3
POLITICO watched all five hours of Russia’s leader talking about Ukraine, NATO and “traditional values” so you didn’t have to.
loading . . .
Putin’s annual ‘circus’: 5 top takeaways
POLITICO watched all five hours of Russia’s leader talking about Ukraine, NATO and “traditional values” so you didn’t have to.
https://www.politico.eu/article/vladimir-puttin-russia-kremlin-5-takeaways-from-qa-show/
3 days ago
4
53
10
The EU will one day use frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine, even though leaders failed to agree to do so at a summit this week, the head of the European People’s Party, Manfred Weber, told POLITICO in an interview today.
loading . . .
EU will eventually use Russian assets to pay for Ukraine war costs, Manfred Weber says
The European People’s Party president rebuffed Washington’s plan to benefit from the frozen assets.
https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-eventually-use-russia-assets-pay-ukraine-war-manfred-weber/
3 days ago
6
50
17
One of the main options for restoration of the Palace of Westminster could cost £15 billion, a member of the House of Lords has claimed.
loading . . .
MPs quitting UK parliament for restoration ‘would cost £15B’
Multi-billion pound price tag attached to proposal for a ‘full decant’ of MPs and peers off the crumbling Westminster estate.
https://www.politico.eu/article/mp-quitting-uk-parliament-westminster-restoration-cost-15b/
3 days ago
0
9
4
A last-minute turnaround from Italian leader Giorgia Meloni upended a self-imposed objective of signing the Mercosur agreement by Dec. 20. The delay shows that after two decades of negotiations, the pact continues to be a political minefield. 🔗
politi.co/48LFuNj
3 days ago
2
8
5
EU governments pursued additional privacy safeguards to ensure people’s payment habits are kept under wraps as part of a legislative framework for minting a virtual extension of euro banknotes and coins.
loading . . .
Council prioritizes privacy, banking concerns in digital euro deal
Big Brother-style conspiracy theories have forced policymakers to take extra precautions to win over the public.
https://www.politico.eu/article/council-eu-euro-banknotes-coins-digital-banking-ecb/
3 days ago
1
11
1
After a marathon summit, European leaders finally agreed on a plan to provide funding for Ukraine. But not everyone was victorious. 🔗
politi.co/3YydiaG
3 days ago
2
23
6
Russian President Vladimir Putin today lambasted NATO chief Mark Rutte for his recent warning to prepare for a large-scale war with Russia.
loading . . .
Putin taunts NATO’s Rutte: You know the US doesn’t see Russia as an enemy
“Can you even read?” Russian president fumes, as he directs military alliance chief toward Donald Trump’s new National Security Strategy.
https://www.politico.eu/article/putin-taunts-nato-chief-rutte-us-doesnt-see-russia-enemy-national-security-strategy/
3 days ago
12
38
25
Mark your diaries — we have all the dates in a year of make-or-break elections, a closer U.K.-EU relationship and laws on migration control that Keir Starmer hopes will save his premiership. It’ll be a wild ride 👇
politi.co/4j61rdh
3 days ago
2
7
2
In an unprecedented attack, Ukrainian aerial drones struck a Russian shadow fleet tanker in neutral waters of the Mediterranean Sea, an official at Ukraine’s Security Service told POLITICO today.
loading . . .
Ukraine strikes Russian shadow fleet tanker in Mediterranean for the first time
Kyiv says it hit a vessel used to evade sanctions and was therefore a legitimate military target.
https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-strikes-russia-shadow-fleet-tanker-in-mediterranean-for-the-first-time/
3 days ago
3
54
12
Germany is claiming victory for its automakers after the European Commission reversed its 2035 combustion engine ban, but the change gives Chinese automakers time to get even further ahead — in Europe and emerging markets.
loading . . .
Why China is the real winner of the EU’s combustion engine ban reversal
Europe’s automakers have to compete globally but are at risk of getting shut out as emerging markets turn to electric vehicles.
https://www.politico.eu/article/why-china-is-the-real-winner-of-the-eus-combustion-engine-ban-reversal/
3 days ago
4
24
16
At yesterday's meeting of EU leaders, the Belgian prime minister dug his heels in on using Russian assets to fund Ukraine. It’s another win for Europe’s populists. 🔗
politi.co/4pMPcVO
3 days ago
11
19
7
President Vladimir Putin slammed EU leaders for trying to leverage frozen Russian state assets to fund a €210 billion financing package for Ukraine — despite the plan ultimately falling through.
loading . . .
Putin blasts attempted EU ‘robbery’ of Russian assets
EU leaders opted for joint debt to fill Ukraine’s war chest, holding Moscow’s frozen assets as collateral.
https://www.politico.eu/article/putin-blasts-attempted-eu-robbery-russian-assets/
3 days ago
8
21
11
Prime Minister Bart De Wever was praised in Belgium today for fending off an EU plan to use Russian frozen assets to fund Ukraine.
loading . . .
Belgium’s Bart De Wever gets domestic praise for EU summit win
A round of applause from across the political spectrum for the Flemish nationalist Belgian prime minister.
https://www.politico.eu/article/belgium-bart-de-wever-domestic-praise-eu-summit-win/
3 days ago
9
13
5
Who wins when EU leaders and angry farmers both descend on Brussels at the same time? Our Paul Dallison digs into the answer in his latest Declassified column 👇
loading . . .
Forget the EU summit, the best (and worst) of Europe can be found at the farmers’ protests in Brussels
Who wins when EU leaders and angry farmers both descend on Brussels at the same time?
https://www.politico.eu/article/forget-the-eu-summit-the-best-and-worst-of-europe-can-be-found-at-the-farmers-protests-in-brussels/
3 days ago
1
15
5
COMMENTARY: If Volodymyr Zelenskyy is forced into a peace deal with Russia that involves territorial concessions, could he sell it to his own people?
loading . . .
Zelenskyy’s daunting task: Selling territorial concessions
Can the Ukrainian president even sell his compatriots on a peace deal that involves withdrawing from land that soldiers have bled and died for?
https://www.politico.eu/article/volodymyr-zelensky-ukraine-vladimir-putin-daunting-task-selling-territorial-concessions/
3 days ago
8
14
11
French lawmakers failed to strike a compromise on the 2026 state budget, all but ensuring France will enter the new year without having finalized its fiscal plans for the next 12 months.
loading . . .
France to end year without budget as lawmakers fail to strike deal
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu had warned that failing to pass a budget before the end of the year was a “danger” for the French economy.
https://www.politico.eu/article/france-to-end-year-without-budget-lawmakers-pm-lecornu-fail-strike-deal/
3 days ago
1
13
3
Poland’s Donald Tusk framed yesterday’s EU leaders’ summit around a stark choice: pay to stop Putin now or fight when his troops arrive. His equation — cash or casualties — exposes the conflict at the heart of Europe's struggles over supporting Ukraine.
loading . . .
Summit shows Europe still doesn’t want to pay to save Ukraine
Some northern countries have been sending cash to Kyiv for years, but many Europeans don’t see why they should.
https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-still-doesnt-want-to-pay-to-save-ukraine-european-council/
3 days ago
7
84
27
Load more
feeds!
log in