If you think about it, the U.S. is undermining transatlantic ties over a €120M fine to X that to Elon Musk is financially equivalent of a parking ticket (0.05% or less of his wealth), a rounding error in X’s operating costs, and nowhere near the DSA's maximum penalty allowed

However you look at it, the U.S. scored a massive own goal with these sanctions, on every level. What was meant as a provocation has instead created a martyr and put pressure to act. Now it’s up to EU leaders to take advantage of an obvious mistake, or pretend nothing happened

Off topic: this is a terrifically well-taylored coat.

You think, why should I read Playbook on Christmas Eve—surely nothing's happening! Bad news, there's plenty of news! From Rubio’s naughty list, an unexpected EU Christmas package, a Greenland convo with the MEP who told Trump to f**k off, the latest EU trade headache www.politico.eu/newsletter/b...

There’s a temptation (even a push) to read this early-morning deal on Ukraine funding at EUCO as a defeat. I don’t think it was. There'll be plenty of analysis of this deal—or maybe not much at all, with Christmas around the corner and everyone exhausted. Here's my take: 🧵

This early morning EUCO deal in a pic

Moral of the story: In Brussels, whatever anyone tells you, there is never only one game in town.

I can’t recall an EU summit more unsuccessful or more badly misplayed by a German chancellor (especially striking given it happened under a German Commission president)

Belgians seem to like Italians more than Dutch in this phase of the EUCO talks, which, if you think about it, is like top cheating-scenario material

First EUCO day, Ukraine funding still up in the air but Brussels people agree on one thing, at least: summit helicopters mixed with farmers’ protest sirens are not a great morning soundtrack

After days of speculation, the surprising turn from Giorgia Meloni on Mercosur is now official, with Italy suddenly backing France on slowing down the process for no obvious reason (unless there’s a secret deal with Macron… Mona Lisa coming home with Euros 2000 trophy as a plus)

Is there anything more Brussels bubble than... a Red Bull advent calendar all open by 10th of December already?

António Costa's remarks were some of the first to come from EU leadership since the unveiling of the U.S. National Security Strategy. "Allies don't threaten to interfere in the democratic life or the domestic political choices of their allies. They respect them.” www.politico.eu/article/eu-c...

The EU Commission unveils the legal proposals to fund Ukraine's financial needs putting forward two options: joint borrowing (which requires unanimity in the European Council) and reparation loans using immobilized Russian assets (which can be voted by qualified majority)

Latest on 'reparation loans' with two commitments from the EU Executive side (on something we kinda knew already but still good to have them announced): -it'll happen this week -there'll be proposalS (so not just on the use of frozen assets but probably joint borrowing too)

The appointment of Maasikas puts to rest speculation about Selmayr’s comeback to Brussels in Kallas’s team. This stopgap suggests a long-term solution that won’t include former Berlaymonster (though someone with his experience/ability may still resurface in some other capacity)

Building on last week’s diplomatic incident involving that infamous carbonara jar found in the EU Parliament’s shop, I’ve decided to launch a new series where I try foodstuffs that would emotionally devastate an Italian (not necessarily an Italian in power, though) Episode 1...👇

It was already in the air, but the European Parliament’s environment committee will lose its chair: Antonio De Caro is set to become governor of Italy's region Puglia. With roughly half of the sections counted, he’s still above 65% of the vote

For anyone who thought the U.S. tariff diplomacy would’ve stopped at Turnberry: now the condition for the EU to avoid new steel and aluminium tariffs is rolling back its tech rules (a non-negotiable for Brussels)

“Israel should contribute significantly —if not fully— for repairing the damage and contributing to the reconstruction [of Gaza],” PM of the Palestinian Authority Mohammad Mustafa told reporters in Brussels on the sidelines of the EU’s Palestine donor event

New on LinkedIn: What Haiti’s World Cup qualification taught me about working remotely

Say something that gives off more Common Agricultural Policy vibes than this Japanese word

I knew it would happen sooner or later: Costas Kadis has arrived on the coast of Cádiz

Border militarization klaxon. Merging of migration and defense policies in Europe continues apace with announcement of €250mln purchase of drones to stop hybrid threats like incursions by other drones, and presumably migrants. h/t @gerardofortuna.bsky.social ec.europa.eu/commission/p...

What the EU does for you? Just making you feel old...

No media left behind: with this entry, I’ve officially liveblogged the EUCO for all three outlets doing live coverage of the EU summit. Not sure if that makes me the only one with a liveblog grand slam, but there can’t be that many

There’s a new EU president in town: Séamus Boland elected this morning as @eesc-president.bsky.social. Yesterday, I had a chat with him — a farmer who, as he put it, “also happens to be very involved and loves drama, acting, writing plays and... showing off.”

Fascinated by how the idea of Martin Selmayr and Bjoern Seibert both roaming Brussels at once feels like Grindelwald and Lord Voldemort coexisting in the same magical era

⚠️Frictions in the Commission: the spokesperson service (aka von der Leyen) publicly called to order EVP Raffaele Fitto after he floated changes to the EU’s long-term proposal in a meeting with regional leaders. This follow-up statement made the reprimand clear.

"the food arrived late, creating that notorious Brussels imbalance between flowing alcohol and missing snacks." @gerardofortuna.bsky.social is the magic realism poet we deserved.

Truly disastrous outcome for the anti–von der Leyen camp: the far-right no-confidence motion got just 179 votes (+4 from July’s attempt), while the Left’s fared even worse with 133. This could mark the end of the motion-of-censure era

Over in Strasbourg, tensions were so high on Wednesday that the Socialists' lead negotiator on the file quit. Within the EPP, divisions are becoming more obvious. Read more in today's playbook: www.politico.eu/newsletter/b... w/ @gerardofortuna.bsky.social and @maxgriera.bsky.social

Happy birthday to Ursula @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu! In my profile for today's Brussels Playbook, I look at her unstoppable work style and share a virtual birthday card where political leaders and her own commissioners send her their best wishes. Check it out!

Von der Leyen's new three-step strategy for convincing opponents to back her underscores a more cooperative tone and a willingness to engage rather than confront. Read more in this story with @maxgriera.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/ursu...

ICYMI: It’s now official. As of today, I’ve started as Brussels Playbook author at @politico.eu, bringing you scoops, whispers, and sharp analysis from the Brussels bubble to Europe (and beyond) every Wednesday and Thursday

Today’s Brussels playbook @politico.eu is truly a piece of art @gerardofortuna.bsky.social #swiftie

Detail spotters may have noticed: every EU leader pulled up in the same ride—a BMW i7 eDrive50, fully electric and courtesy of the Danish foreign affairs ministry. This offered the most curious sight of the EUCO doorsteps so far: Italy’s Meloni stepping out of a German-made EV

Quiet atmosphere around Christiansborg Slot ahead of tomorrow’s informal EUCO in Copenhagen. Locals seem more curious than annoyed by the summit’s security checks and traffic disruptions (quite a contrast to Brussels’ summit-season routine)

Out of sight, out of mind: Best 'window' seat in these tough times for European aircraft security—if a drone attack comes, you won’t see it anyway. God eftermiddag from Copenhagen, on my way to tomorrow's informal EUCO!

EU Commission couldn’t think of a better way to mark the trade deal with Indonesia than serving something 'Indonesian' in the canteen, basically nasi goreng en croûte (yes, wrapped in pastry and baked). Not sure Indonesians would approve, but hey, it’s the thought that counts.

How likely is this proposal to succeed? Very difficult if not impossible: member states must agree, and there are staunch Israel allies like Czechia, Bulgaria, Austria, Hungary, and especially Italy and Germany which alone could tip the balance given their voting weight

Just in: The EU Commission has announced the proposal of a 'robust package of sanctions' against Israel that includes a partial supension of trade concessions. "The aim is not to punish Israel but to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza," says EU's chief diplomat Kallas

y'all know how we can fit this pic on the header?

With food issues on the menu, EU-India trade talks finally head toward the ‘end game’. Indeed, the clearest sign that things are accelerating is the arrival of agriculture on the agenda... More on @euronews.com / with @peggycorlin.bsky.social www.euronews.com/my-europe/20...

The State of the European Union speech is part spectacle, part policy horoscope. My advice: watch the announcements, track what’s missing, note the language shifts. Here’s more on what to listen out for in this marathon speech. A 🧵:

Can't help thinking how France might be heading to its 5th head of government and the Vatican had 2 Popes in the same period Italy has had just 1 PM. How the tables have turned

EU farm boss Hansen will join trade czar Šefčovič in New Delhi this week (Thu-Fri). Don't get too excited, it's too soon for a deal, but yes, agri divergences are finally on the table and ready for being chewed over...

A touch morbid (or just impressively quick off the mark): I read a nice FT interview with Giorgio Armani over the weekend. Went back to check the date and the headline had already been changed to this...

We got a better deal than developing and least developed countries - yay!

New level of EU-US trade deal defense just unlocked: ‘Sure, they ripped a limb off us but hey, others lost both legs’