Elena Sánchez Nicolás
@elenasanchez.bsky.social
📤 2948
📥 1939
📝 82
Editor-in-chief at
@euobserver.com
Tips?
[email protected]
For the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, I spoke with Ukraine’s ambassador to the EU, Vsevolod Chentsov. His message was clear: don’t mistake fatigue for peace. Moscow hasn’t abandoned its aim, and diplomacy without pressure won’t end the war.
euobserver.com/204122/four-...
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https://euobserver.com/204122/four-years-of-war-dont-buy-putins-bullshit-ukraine-ambassador-tells-eu/
4 days ago
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Viktor Orbán has also pledged, in his annual address earlier this month, to “clear out” after the April elections media and civil society organisations deemed to threaten “sovereignty.” Fidesz already directly or indirectly control 80 percent of Hungary’s media.
euobserver.com/203675/how-o...
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How Orbán systematically suffocated the Hungarian media over the past 15 years
Viktor Orban has also pledged, in his annual address earlier this month, to “clear out” after the April elections media and civil society organisations deemed to threaten “sovereignty.” Fidesz already...
https://euobserver.com/203675/how-orban-systematically-suffocated-the-hungarian-media-over-the-past-15-years/
9 days ago
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Today, I’m thrilled to share that
@euobserver.com
is joining journalist-owned Slovak publishing house
@dennikn.bsky.social
. A new era. One I hope will bring great stories, more cross-border collaboration, and growth.
11 days ago
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What’s in the EU’s new sanctions against Moscow over the Ukraine war? From the Russian head of world chess and Central Asian sanctions evaders to chemical weapons, killer drones, mercenaries, crypto, metals, and even salt. Good intel here:
euobserver.com/202386/russi...
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Russian chess boss, Central Asia, crypto targeted in new EU sanctions
Russia's world chess king and Asian sanctions-busters feature in the draft new round of EU measures, which also cover chemical weapons, killer drones, mercenaries in Belize, crypto, and salt.
https://euobserver.com/202386/russian-chess-boss-central-asia-crypto-targeted-in-new-eu-sanctions/
16 days ago
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Let's stop overusing the "Exclusive" tag, we’ll all benefit.
23 days ago
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reposted by
Elena Sánchez Nicolás
European Environmental Bureau🍃
about 1 month ago
⚠️UN expert warns: chemical pollution is a hidden global crisis. “Forever chemicals,” corporate loopholes & weak policies put human rights and environment at risk. Science & political will must align to protect human rights.
@euobserver.com
@elenasanchez.bsky.social
euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
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reposted by
Elena Sánchez Nicolás
Dave Keating
26 days ago
Tonight the controversial US ambassador to Belgium Bill White was supposed to speak on a Film & Politics panel about European dependence. He pulled out last minute. So the moderator
@elenasanchez.bsky.social
asked the panellists what they would have said to him if he was there.
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reposted by
Elena Sánchez Nicolás
euobserver — EU news that matters
about 1 month ago
For Europeans, order is something the police restore under law, not something the army imposes under executive will. Fortunately, EU member states built constitutional architecture to prevent what the US Insurrection Act enables.
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Trump's Minnesota raids couldn't happen in Europe — could they?
For Europeans, order is something the police restore under law, not something the army imposes under executive will. Fortunately, EU member states built constitutional architecture to prevent what the US Insurrection Act enables.
https://euobserver.com/eu-and-the-world/arba855f1e
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Wondering whether European governments could coerce investors into selling trillions in US holdings? Europe would be the first to suffer, explains my colleague
@westervangaal.bsky.social
in this excellent analysis
euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
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Debt: Europe’s biggest financial advantage over US is also its weakness
Europe is the largest holder of US debt, which it could use as leverage. But even if governments could coerce investors into selling trillions in US holdings, Europe would be first to suffer.
https://euobserver.com/eu-and-the-world/ar73cb485b
about 1 month ago
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Two months into the fragile ceasefire, what is going on in Gaza? "A combination of hope and despair," told me Marta Lorenzo Rodriguez, the director of the
@unrwa.org
office in Brussels, in a recent interview. Read it for free on
@euobserver.com
euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
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UNRWA on Gaza after the ceasefire: ‘A combination of hope and despair’
In an exclusive interview with EUobserver, Marta Lorenzo, the director of the UNRWA office in Brussels, summarises the situation in Gaza as “a combination of hope and despair”.
https://euobserver.com/eu-and-the-world/arc4edd0f3
3 months ago
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reposted by
Elena Sánchez Nicolás
Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO)
4 months ago
It was great to take part in the
#ClimateArena
of the
@journalismarena.eu
. We took part in the pannel on "How to make sense of the Commission's mass deregulation agenda", with
@elenasanchez.bsky.social
of
@euobserver.com
and facilitation by
@jelena-prtoric.bsky.social
Photos by Raul Duran Giro.
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reposted by
Elena Sánchez Nicolás
Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO)
5 months ago
If you're in Budapest at the
#ClimateArena
of the
@journalismarena.eu
, join us tomorrow at 11am in Auditorium A for the session "The quiet undoing of the EU: How to make sense of the Commission's mass deregulation agenda" with
@elenasanchez.bsky.social
and moderation by
@jelena-prtoric.bsky.social
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EUobserver's weekly agenda is back.
euobserver.com/agenda/ar058...
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Informal EU summits and deregulation This WEEK
An informal EUCO will take place in Copenhagen, where EU leaders will focus on Ukraine, defence, and using Russian frozen assets. Also this week, leaders from all of Europe will gather in Denmark for ...
https://euobserver.com/agenda/ar05843125
5 months ago
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Moldovan citizens are going to the polls on Sunday (28 September), in what is set to be a highly-contested election — with possible implications for the whole continent. This election is not about left or right; it is about a democratic Moldova or Russia.
euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
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Small country, big decision: Moldova faces democratic stress test
Moldovan citizens are going to the polls on Sunday, in what is set to be a highly-contested election — with possible fallout for the whole continent. This election is not about left or right; it is ab...
https://euobserver.com/eu-and-the-world/are6ed2e8b
5 months ago
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Some 541,000 Russians visited the EU last year, compared to 517,000 in 2023, and over four million a year before Russia's full invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Despite a new sanctions crackdown on the sector, Russian tourists will continue to be able to visit the EU.
euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
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No new hurdles planned for Russian tourists to EU
Russians tourists will be able to keep coming to the EU despite a new sanctions crackdown on the sector, diplomats have said.
https://euobserver.com/eu-and-the-world/araefe8f4c
5 months ago
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"An effective EU policy ... needs to acknowledge that settler violence is state violence, enabled and tolerated by the Israeli regime’s policy of complete impunity". Strong piece by Yoav Shemer-Kunz, co-founder of European Jews for Palestine.
euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
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I spent 10 days in the West Bank, watching the impunity of Israeli settlers
In August, I spent ten days in the West Bank, Occupied Palestinian Territories. Here is some of what I saw and heard there during my visit.
https://euobserver.com/eu-and-the-world/arc2d7dba9
5 months ago
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reposted by
Elena Sánchez Nicolás
Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO)
6 months ago
We're very excited to join
@journalismarena.eu
conference in Budapest in exactly one month to discuss the EU's
#deregulation
agenda. We'll be joined in the same pannel by
@elenasanchez.bsky.social
and
@jelena-prtoric.bsky.social
! More info: 📅
climatearena2025.sched.com
🎟️
climatearena.eu/register/
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I sat down with former EU top diplomat Josep Borrell, who described Europe’s proposal to cut Israel from Horizon as a “bad joke” in response to the atrocities unfolding in Gaza. “Is that really all they can think to do, with what’s happening?” Borrell asked.
euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
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EU's Horizon-suspension sanction for Israel 'a bad joke', says Borrell
Suspending Israel's access to the bloc’s Horizon research programme is a “bad joke” in the face of the atrocities unfolding in Gaza, the EU's former chief diplomat Josep Borrell told EUobserver during...
https://euobserver.com/eu-and-the-world/arbc4fc129
7 months ago
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I got an EU internal document that outlines the toothless nature of a Gaza aid "understanding" between the EU and Israel: non-binding, ambiguous, and difficult to monitor.
euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
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EU document shows flimsy nature of Israel aid deal
A leaked EU document outlines the toothless nature of a Gaza aid "understanding" between the EU and Israel: non-binding, ambiguous, and difficult to monitor.
https://euobserver.com/eu-and-the-world/arc78d91d3
7 months ago
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As Nato leaders gather in The Hague this week, attention turns to the proposal to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP (more than double the 2% benchmark). Our explainer covers: 🧩 5% target explained 🇪🇸 Spain’s stance 💰 Defence vs welfare 📉 Who’s falling behind
euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
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Defence vs welfare: what’s at stake in Nato’s new 5% spending target?
Nato allies are expected to agree to raise defence spending target to five percent of GDP at the Hague summit. But previous broken promises and Spain’s reluctance highlight growing tensions between mi...
https://euobserver.com/eu-and-the-world/ar92663105
8 months ago
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reposted by
Elena Sánchez Nicolás
euobserver — EU news that matters
8 months ago
Spain is in political turmoil. But why? In this explainer, editor-in-chief
@elenasanchez.bsky.social
explains: 🔹 What happened 🔹 Who is involved 🔹 Why it matters Catch up here:
euobserver.com/rule-of-law/...
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“It is genocide. I know people are uncomfortable with that word, but what else can we call it?,” Francesca Albanese told
@euobserver.com
euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
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Francesca Albanese: 'EU officials must face charges of complicity in war crimes'
At the Cannes Film Festival, the UN’s special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, speaks with EUobserver about the genocide in Gaza, and global comp...
https://euobserver.com/eu-and-the-world/ar6303344c
9 months ago
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Neither the EEAS nor the Israeli EU embassy would confirm today if Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar would come for a meeting in Brussels on 23 June. But the fact he was invited despite escalating Israeli aggression in Gaza already attracted criticism
euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
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Israeli ministers still welcome in EU, despite sanctions talks
High-level Israeli visits to the EU capital are becoming more toxic, as ministers prepare first-ever trade sanctions over Gaza "war crimes".
https://euobserver.com/eu-and-the-world/arbcbcb022
9 months ago
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reposted by
Elena Sánchez Nicolás
Honor Mahony
9 months ago
Ombudswoman Anjinho in an interesting discussion today with journalists at the dataharvest conference on the role of
@ombudsman.europa.eu
, the importance of rules on access to EU documents, and on having a culture of integrity in public administrations
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We leaked it, we studied it, and we made it free to read.
euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
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Leak of EU's full 2024 Gaza report piles pressure on Israel
The leak of an internal EU paper from 2024 spelling out Israel's "war crimes" in Gaza will make it harder to claim Tel Aviv merits keeping free trade perks.
https://euobserver.com/eu-and-the-world/ar13e20dff
9 months ago
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Times are changing. As special trade benefits granted to Ukrainian farmers following Russia's 2022 invasion are set to expire today (5 June), Ukrainian experts question the EU’s decision — while the country's farming unions predict potential losses of up to €1.5bn.
euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
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The political calculus behind the EU's shift on Ukraine agri-imports
Trade benefits, which suspended tariffs and quotas on Ukrainian agri-food exports to support the cash-strapped Ukrainian economy after the Russian invasion in 2022, will not be renewed for the third t...
https://euobserver.com/eu-and-the-world/arf7994280
9 months ago
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A majority of EU countries urged the commission to review the EU-Israel trade agreement over concerns about human rights violations. But a human rights unit within the EEAS had already conducted an audit in November 2024. We got the leak and made it public.
euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
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Leak of EU's full 2024 Gaza report piles pressure on Israel
The leak of an internal EU paper from 2024 spelling out Israel's "war crimes" in Gaza will make it harder to claim Tel Aviv merits keeping free trade perks.
https://euobserver.com/eu-and-the-world/ar13e20dff
9 months ago
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reposted by
Elena Sánchez Nicolás
euobserver — EU news that matters
9 months ago
Hungary’s government now smears and attacks its own journalists, starves their newspapers and TV stations of income, whilst happy to bask in the power and resources of being a member of the 27-strong bloc. For how much longer can Hungary’s journalists fight back?
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Hungary’s independent media — ‘A battle of the wills, but worth the struggle’
Authoritarian leaders don’t appreciate a free and independent media investigating their affairs. But, previously, that has only been a problem outside the EU’s borders. Hungary’s government now smears...
https://euobserver.com/the-eus-unsung-heroes/ar8f388ae7
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"In an era where the loudest often dominate, we wanted to use this magazine to tell a different story, helping to fill what we’ve come to call ‘the recognition gap.’"
euobserver.com/the-eus-unsu...
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EUobserver's new magazine — Closing the recognition gap
Today, we’re releasing our latest magazine. A must-read for anyone who believes democracy thrives when every voice is heard.
https://euobserver.com/the-eus-unsung-heroes/ar70bbafec
10 months ago
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Here are EUobserver’s key takeaways on Pfizergate. The controversy surrounding vaccine deal texts, transparency, and accountability at the highest level of the EU.
euobserver.com/rule-of-law/...
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Pfizergate takeaways — a legal victory, and a win for transparency
An EU court ruled that the European Commission wrongly denied access to text messages between Ursula von der Leyen and Pfizer's CEO, reinforcing the need for transparency in high-level communications....
https://euobserver.com/rule-of-law/ar0309e750
10 months ago
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This Friday (16 May), we’re releasing our latest magazine! When I first suggested we focus this issue on people instead of events, the team was all in, and honestly, the end result makes me really proud. It’s full of stories that deserve to be seen. Hope you’ll like it.
10 months ago
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Happy Europe day! We have delved into our 25-year archive to compile a list of our nerdiest (and most revealing) stories about how the EU really works. Do you have ideas for other types of articles like these? Let us know what you'd like to see more of in comments 💡🇪🇺
euobserver.com/eu-political...
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On Europe day, meet the inner workings of the EU
From EU nerds to EU nerds, with love.
https://euobserver.com/eu-political/arfad23491
10 months ago
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reposted by
Elena Sánchez Nicolás
Sira Rego
10 months ago
Parar toda compra de armas a Israel es una cuestión de coherencia democrática. Hoy hablo de ello con
@elenasanchez.bsky.social
en
@euobserver.com
euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
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The Spanish minister behind the push to halt arms deals with Israel
Meet Spain's minister for youth Sira Rego — a former MEP of Palestinian descent. Rego has criticised Spain’s arms trade with Israel, exposing tensions inside the Pedro Sánchez-led coalition. She is de...
https://euobserver.com/eu-and-the-world/arc964538d
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Meet Spain's minister for youth Sira Rego — a former MEP of Palestinian descent. Rego has criticised Spain’s arms trade with Israel, exposing tensions inside the Pedro Sánchez-led coalition.
euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
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The Spanish minister behind the push to halt arms deals with Israel
Meet Spain's minister for youth Sira Rego — a former MEP of Palestinian descent. Rego has criticised Spain’s arms trade with Israel, exposing tensions inside the Pedro Sánchez-led coalition. She is de...
https://euobserver.com/eu-and-the-world/arc964538d
10 months ago
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At
@euobserver.com
, we’re experimenting with new formats to make complex, long-running stories easier to follow. In this one, we break down the EU-Tunisia deal — what it is, why it matters, and what’s at stake.
eu-tunisia.euobserver.com
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The EU-Tunisia migrant deal – in context
The EU is shaping its external migration strategy by partnering with a country that has repeatedly shown it does not comply with fundamental EU values. Here's why it matters. Sometimes, it's hard to ...
https://eu-tunisia.euobserver.com/
10 months ago
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This year,
@euobserver.com
turns 25, and we are looking for 2500 new supporting members to take their stake in EU democracy. Here are 10 reasons why you should support EUobserver.
euobserver.com/inside-euobs...
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10 reasons why you should support EUobserver
Strong democracies need strong watchdogs — but more than that, people like you who care about what the watchdog discovers.
https://euobserver.com/inside-euobserver/ard8e4db6d
10 months ago
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For 25 years, our small, non-profit newsroom (
@euobserver.com
) has held EU institutions accountable, uncovered important stories others overlook, and given a platform to voices that deserve to be heard (from civil society and whistleblowers to local communities and experts).
join.euobserver.com
10 months ago
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reposted by
Elena Sánchez Nicolás
Jean Comte
10 months ago
Remember Piepergate? The EU Commission officially ended today the position of EU SME Envoy, which was vacant since the resignation of Markus Pieper one year ago (below the new organisation chart of DG Grow, without the position)
www.mlex.com/mlex/energy/...
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Today, more than 130 journalists have come together to urge the EU Commission to stop undermining EU transparency laws. The open letter (led by
@alexfanta.bsky.social
and
@jeancomte.bsky.social
) calls on EU commissioner
@marossefcovic.bsky.social
to uphold the right of access to information.
11 months ago
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reposted by
Elena Sánchez Nicolás
Alexander Fanta
11 months ago
Judgement day in the Pfizergate case over Ursula von der Leyen’s text messages with the CEO of Pfizer! The General Court of the EU has scheduled its ruling in
@matinastevis.bsky.social
v Commission for 14 May at 9.30. 🍿🍿🍿
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Reliable, independent journalism is more needed than ever.
@euobserver.com
is a rare voice in Brussels — critical, watchdog reporting that makes sense of a chaotic world. If you value that, consider supporting us 👇
new-membership-deck-yppxgqe.gamma.site
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New membership deck
https://new-membership-deck-yppxgqe.gamma.site/
11 months ago
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reposted by
Elena Sánchez Nicolás
Cas Mudde
11 months ago
Dear Media: you don’t need to give the far right a platform (eg interview or op-Ed) to inform your listeners/readers/viewers about their views.
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reposted by
Elena Sánchez Nicolás
euobserver — EU news that matters
11 months ago
Bypassing Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán's veto, via separate statements on Ukraine on behalf of the other 26 EU leaders, is set to become the new norm at European Council summits.
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EU-26 back Ukraine at summit, again bypassing Hungary's Orbán
Bypassing Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán's veto, via separate statements on Ukraine on behalf of the other 26 EU leaders, is set to become the new norm at European Council summits.
https://euobserver.com/eu-and-the-world/ar7ea0ad25
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reposted by
Elena Sánchez Nicolás
euobserver — EU news that matters
12 months ago
As the European Commission sets out its vision for a single market for defence in its white paper due on Wednesday, we take a close look at global and European trends and the industry’s readiness to meet new challenges.
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The turbo-charging of EU defence — explained
As the European Commission sets out its vision for a single market for defence in its white paper due on Wednesday, we take a close look at global and European trends and the industry’s readiness to meet new challenges.
https://euobserver.com/eu-and-the-world/ar0fa3f12f
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reposted by
Elena Sánchez Nicolás
Alberto Alemanno
12 months ago
Do you want to better understand EU’s rearming attempt? Best explainer by
@euobserver.com
laying down the baseline of EU-27 military imports
euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
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Russian spies continue to pose a threat in the EU and Nato HQs' host state. Don't miss this joint investigation by
@euobserver.com
,
@demorgen.be
, Humo,
@lemonde.fr
, and
@rferl.org.web.brid.gy
euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
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Dekonspiratsiya: Meet 20 of Putin's EU spies
Russian spies are still active in the EU capital and have "a higher risk appetite" than before the Ukraine war — despite Belgium's efforts to push back against their plots.
https://euobserver.com/eu-and-the-world/ar90936b44
12 months ago
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After revealing that the EU firm holding €183bn of frozen Russian assets hired bodyguards for its top executives, a joint investigation (out tomorrow) will shed new light on Russia’s secret operations in the EU and Nato capital amid a more dangerous security environment.
euobserver.com/*/ar9ca82566
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Euroclear CEO hired French bodyguards over Russia fears
The EU firm holding €183bn of frozen Russian assets has hired bodyguards for its top executives, according to a joint EUobserver investigation with Belgian daily De Morgen, Belgian weekly Humo, French...
https://euobserver.com/*/ar9ca82566
12 months ago
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reposted by
Elena Sánchez Nicolás
Wester van Gaal
12 months ago
EIB, at their own event, being told by Leonardo’s chief: "We don’t need your money. One billion is nice, but we don’t need it. We need contracts." Exposes the EU’s push to ‘mobilise private finance’ for defence as a sideshow.
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reposted by
Elena Sánchez Nicolás
Wester van Gaal
12 months ago
The strategic EU firm holding €183bn of frozen Russian assets has hired bodyguards for its top executives, according to a joint EUobserver investigation with Belgian daily De Morgen, Belgian weekly Humo, and French daily Le Monde.
add a skeleton here at some point
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EU leaders are meeting tomorrow in Brussels to discuss Ukraine and defence. While it may be seen as a missed opportunity, no agreement or concrete figures for an additional military package to Ukraine is expected to come out of the EU summit.
euobserver.com/eu-political...
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The EU's Ukraine and defence summit — what’s at stake and why it matters
The stakes couldn’t be higher for Brussels to demonstrate its support to Ukraine and take decisive action in strengthening its own defence capabilities. But the EU isn't known for its speed in decisio...
https://euobserver.com/eu-political/ar22ca6d8a
12 months ago
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