Ukraine’s public finances are close to collapse, and the EU is unable to finalise the €90 billion loan. In a recent webinar, @dittebrasso.bsky.social, @ilketoygur.bsky.social and @vkreilinger.bsky.social discussed various ways forward. A recording is now available: sieps.se/en/seminars/...

It was a great pleasure to discuss overcoming unanimity in the EU with @dittebrasso.bsky.social, @ilketoygur.bsky.social and @lewander.bsky.social at the webinar "How can the EU support Ukraine – without being in agreement?" The recording is available on the SIEPS website: sieps.se/en/seminars/...

🇪🇺 🇺🇦 We will discuss one of the most thorny issues of the recent European Council meeting, "How can the EU support Ukraine – without being in agreement?", on Friday, 27 March, from 10:00 to 11:15👇 sieps.se/en/seminars/... 1/2

📣 Join us on Friday, 27 March, from 10:00 to 11:15, for a discussion on overcoming unanimity at the webinar "How can the EU support Ukraine – without being in agreement?" @sieps.bsky.social 👇

Join our @sieps.bsky.social webinar on Friday 27/3 with @dittebrasso.bsky.social, @ilketoygur.bsky.social, and @vkreilinger.bsky.social to discuss the EU's foreign and security policy predicament of trying to govern without agreeing sieps.se/en/seminars/...

Not a good look for the credibility of the EU. Additionally, conclusions on Ukraine at 26 without Hungary have been the norm for a while. This is the second time after December 2025 that Slovakia also did not sign the Ukraine conclusions, emphasizing the structural rift of now an EU-25 vs 2.

📣 Join us on Friday, 27 March, from 10:00 to 11:15, for a discussion on overcoming unanimity at the webinar "How can the EU support Ukraine – without being in agreement?" @sieps.bsky.social 👇

This is a bombshell. The Polish President vetoes #SAFE. Unexpected. Financially irresponsible: Poland would be able to fund military equipment with lower interest rates: www.ft.com/content/da80...

Important editorial: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Finally some media reporting about the rise of the rise of #COREPER. I have long argued that this (in particular the increased used of the "written procedure") is a very significant development that has intensified since the pandemic (sieps.se/media/mnah1q...).

Sweden’s 2026 Foreign Policy Declaration (English version) www.government.se/speeches/202...

My key quotes and takeaways from the #MSC2026 speeches by four European leaders 🇩🇪 🇫🇷 🇪🇺 🇬🇧 (Merz, Macron, von der Leyen, Starmer) across four major themes (🏰 ⚔️ 🪖 💶):

My key quotes and takeaways from the #MSC2026 speeches by four European leaders 🇩🇪 🇫🇷 🇪🇺 🇬🇧 (Merz, Macron, von der Leyen, Starmer) across four major themes (🏰 ⚔️ 🪖 💶):

This diagram is like a comforting blanket. Brought to you by @vkreilinger.bsky.social. From our @sieps.bsky.social publication "EU foreign policy via Enhanced Cooperation sieps.se/en/publicati... www.linkedin.com/posts/vkreil...

Ursula von der Leyen endorses enhanced cooperation before the EU leaders' retreat on Thursday: "we should not shy away from using the possibilities foreseen in the treaties on enhanced cooperation" www.euractiv.com/news/von-der... Link to the paper with my infographic: sieps.se/en/publicati... #EUCO

The EU24 loan to Ukraine: EU Foreign Policy via Enhanced Cooperation, jointly written with Christian Maurice Bissinger and @lewander.bsky.social for @sieps.bsky.social, with an updated visualisation of Enhanced Cooperation in one figure sieps.se/en/publicati...

On 18 December 2025, EU24 leaders agreed on a €90 bn loan to Ukraine. This new European Policy Analysis addresses central aspects of the European Council decision, particularly regarding the immobilised Russian assets, the enhanced cooperation, and the EU as a foreign and security policy actor.

The EU24 loan to Ukraine: EU Foreign Policy via Enhanced Cooperation, jointly written with Christian Maurice Bissinger and @lewander.bsky.social for @sieps.bsky.social, with an updated visualisation of Enhanced Cooperation in one figure sieps.se/en/publicati...

Nytt avsnitt av Sieps podcast! Efter en turbulent vecka i Europapolitiken gästar Björn Fägersten och @gvonsydow.bsky.social podden för att analysera läget. Hur djup är klyftan mellan EU och USA, och hur ska Europa agera i den nya världsordning som växer fram? sieps.se/podcast/siep...

🚨 TODAY in #ECPRSeminars on the EU @ecprsgeu.bsky.social Our speakers explore how negotiation dynamics differ across high-stakes policy areas, focusing on environment and justice 🎙️Selma Bendjaballah and @vkreilinger.bsky.social 💻 19 Jan, 15:00–16:30 GMT buff.ly/JXZvgpn #EuropeanUnion

Looking forward to discussing "Negotiating in times of polycrisis. Evidence from the EU" at the first edition of the @ecprsgeu.bsky.social Online Seminar Series in 2026 with Selma Bendjaballah of @cdsp-sciencespo.bsky.social on Monday, 16:00-17:30 CET: ecpr.eu/Events/348

🛎️ Next in #ECPRSeminars on the EU @ecprsgeu.bsky.social Our speakers explore how negotiation dynamics differ across high-stakes policy areas, focusing on environment and justice 🎙️Selma Bendjaballah and @vkreilinger.bsky.social 💻 19 Jan, 15:00–16:30 GMT #EuropeanUnion

Enhanced cooperation under Article 20 TEU is a smart move. Here is how it works 👇

Interesting insights on the institutional implications of the EU decision last night

Much to be critical on how last night's EU decision on a loan to Ukraine came about. But together with the use of Art. 122 on the Russian loans the way via Enhanced Cooperation shows that on foreign policy, the EU is willing to move from Unity to Action as its guiding principle.

Enhanced cooperation under Article 20 TEU is a smart move. Here is how it works 👇

Article 20 TEU for ”enhanced cooperation“ is mentioned in the Conclusions of the European Council on the reparations loan for Ukraine. A smart move! It allows to go ahead without Orbán, Fico and Babiš. Is the #EU24 the new EU? #EUCO 1/3

‼️ The EU has used Article 122 TFEU again. My new @sieps.bsky.social analysis of the legal workaround to freeze the assets of the Russian Central Bank, and four possible repercussions sieps.se/media/ndzouh... #EUCO #QMV #Article122

‼️ The EU has used Article 122 TFEU again. My new @sieps.bsky.social analysis of the legal workaround to freeze the assets of the Russian Central Bank, and four possible repercussions sieps.se/media/ndzouh... #EUCO #QMV #Article122

The decision to use article 122 was a bold move, writes @vkreilinger.bsky.social in this timely @sieps.bsky.social analysis. Much at stake for EUCO starting Thursday sieps.se/en/publicati...

For any kind of problem, dial (Article) 122

The EU approaches serious transformation on a variety of key ares. At the heart of this process lies Enlargement. SIEPS has published the anthology Fit for 35 with contributions from 8 prominent experts. A must-read if your curious about the future of Europe. sieps.se/en/publicati...

No surprise, but an important inter-institutional struggle on EU defence policy-making #SAFE www.euractiv.com/section/defe...

Russia’s war against Ukraine has transformed the security situation in Europe. One consequence is that EU enlargement is once again a top priority. In a new SIEPS publication, leading experts discuss what it takes to achieve peace, security and stability in Europe by enlarging the EU.

In the 2nd #FitFor35 volume, edited by @gvonsydow.bsky.social, @patricia-wadensjo.bsky.social and me, eight leading experts share their views on EU enlargement and reform: @erik-jones.bsky.social, Enlargement and Institutional Reform: How to make a credible security commitment 1/4

Instructive overview of three rounds of Spitzenkandidaten by @vkreilinger.bsky.social My view is that the 2024 experience was at most a 'glass half-full': VDL played ball but only half-heartedly and did not face serious competition /1 ...

It's time to look back 11 years, 6 years and 1 year #EP2014 #EP2019 #EP2024! And to think about the future of the Spitzenkandidaten procedure. My latest European Policy Analysis for @sieps.bsky.social: sieps.se/en/publicati...

New publication by SIEPS senior researcher Valentin Kreilinger @vkreilinger.bsky.social: The ‘Spitzenkandidaten saga’ 2014, 2019, 2024: Three races to become Commission President Read the analysis and download it on SIEPS site.

Merz & Macron (BILD, 8 May 2025, p. 2). And my take on Germany and the EU with Chancellor Merz: sieps.se/en/publicati...

Perfect Friday read by @vkreilinger.bsky.social to catch up the coming challenges for Germany and EU

Friedrich Merz’s high ambitions on spending and speed have already clashed with harsh realities. In a new Perspective, Political Scientist @vkreilinger.bsky.social (SIEPS) sheds light on the difficult tasks facing the soon-to-be German Chancellor.

My take @sieps.bsky.social on Germany and the EU with #Merz: Ambition meets Reality sieps.se/en/publicati...

Joint proposal by CDU/CSU and SPD: All defence spending above 1% of GDP exempt from the debt brake plus a new €500bn special fund for infrastructure! www.spiegel.de/politik/deut...

Major @sieps.bsky.social publication out today! 10 essays on ’Key Concepts for the Future of the EU’: #Leadership, #Geopolitics, #Competitiveness, #Security, #Resilience, #Demography, #Inclusion, #Democracy, #Values, #Unity. Edited by @patricia-wadensjo.bsky.social & me. Thread & download here! 👇

BILD: top jobs with Chancellor #Merz CDU: Thorsten Frei: Chair of CDU/CSU group or Home Affairs or Minister in the Chancellery Carsten Linnemann: Chair of CDU/CSU group or Economic Affairs and Labour Julia Klöckner: Speaker/President of the Bundestag Silvia Breher: Family Katrin Prien: Education

BILD: top jobs with Chancellor #Merz CDU: Thorsten Frei: Chair of CDU/CSU group or Home Affairs or Minister in the Chancellery Carsten Linnemann: Chair of CDU/CSU group or Economic Affairs and Labour Julia Klöckner: Speaker/President of the Bundestag Silvia Breher: Family Katrin Prien: Education

Yes, the debt brake must be reformed. But #Merz announces less than 24 hours after the polling stations closed that he will speak with SPD and Greens to reform it in the *old* parliament. 12 of his MPs didn't follow #Merz for his motion on 31 January, this number could be higher for the debt brake!

Could Merz increase defence spending in the regular budget to € 100 bn or more annually and get the Left Party to agree to a new special fund (€ 500 bn? 750 bn?) for infrastructure? #Schuldenbremse

Nice charts showing the progressive decline of the social democrat/christian democrat duopoly that dominated post-war German politics until the 2010s

Newspaper front pages, 24 Feb 2025 BILD: Merz does it BZ: Today is 1st Merz FAZ: Merz wants to form government by Easter Handelsblatt: Election winner Merz NZZ: CDU/CSU wins, SPD plummets SZ: "The world out there isn't waiting for us" (...) 1/2