The EU will step up efforts to reduce its economic reliance on China and protect its industries from a glut of cheap imports, under new proposals drafted by Brussels that are due to be discussed by leaders next month.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's plans for a major reset with the EU risk falling flat if he doesn't relax his negotiating “red lines.”

U.K. PM Keir Starmer is pushing for a post-Brexit reset, promising to put Britain “at the heart of Europe.” But not everyone in the EU is convinced. Brussels Playbook has more 👇

The departure of Belén Martínez Carbonell, secretary-general of the European External Action Service, has sparked a search for a successor who can “rescue” the bloc’s foreign service.

Hungary’s new Prime Minister Péter Magyar has today been sworn in, ending Viktor Orbán’s 16-year hold on power and raising hopes for a rapprochement with the EU.

Countries that don't welcome European companies into their markets shouldn't expect access to EU goods and services contracts, the bloc's top industry official has warned.

EXCLUSIVE: The EU will appoint a senior Finnish diplomat as its new ambassador to the U.K., as British PM Keir Starmer pushes for a new rapprochement with the bloc.

A series of EU decisions on whether to include the U.S. in public procurement has largely been deadlocked, with some governments fearing retaliation if America is shut out. But now, the impasse may be coming to an end. Brussels Playbook has more 👇

Belén Martínez Carbonell is to stand down as secretary general of the EEAS, according to eight diplomats and officials with knowledge of the plans.

Trump’s threat to rip up part of his Turnberry deal with the EU has thrown their trade pact into disarray, just as the bloc’s leaders are trying to finalize it. Brussels Playbook has the latest 👇

EU energy chief Dan Jørgensen has warned that the war in the Middle East is going to hit Europeans where it hurts: Their holidays. More in Brussels Playbook 👇

EU countries are preparing a package of short-term benefits for Ukraine to bring it closer to the bloc after capitals rejected plans to fast-track full membership.

The message from diplomats ahead of today’s summit of EU leaders in Cyprus is clear: Countries that want more funding need to make progress in talks on the bloc’s next long-term budget — or risk missing out. Brussels Playbook has more 👇

European countries need to step up strategically in the Middle East, strike deals with partners across the region and try to bring an end to the Iran war, Cyprus' foreign minister said today.

Ukraine and Moldova will be able to move forward with the process of joining the EU following Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s election defeat, diplomats and officials said today, ending a four-year stalemate over their applications.

🔴 EU leaders head into their summit in Cyprus today having unblocked a €90 billion loan to Ukraine. But the spring in their step could be derailed when talks turn to how to weather the fallout of the Iran war and surging energy prices. Follow live: www.politico.eu/article/euro...

Orbán’s EU fixer faces becoming Hungary’s ‘fall guy’

The EU’s awkward squad may be about to lose a member after Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán’s historic defeat last week. But it could gain a new one after Bulgaria’s parliamentary election this weekend. Brussels Playbook has more 👇

Hungary's government will drop its opposition to the EU's €90 billion loan to Ukraine, incoming Prime Minister Péter Magyar signaled, bringing a four-month standoff to an end.

EXCLUSIVE: Serbia faces losing up to €1.5 billion in EU funding as the European Commission weighs pulling the plug over democratic backsliding and the country’s close ties with Russia.

If Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán loses the parliamentary election this weekend, his departure would send shockwaves through the EU. But a surprise return could be just as seismic. Brussels Playbook has more 👇

U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to bomb power plants and bridges across Iran if it does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz would be a war crime, European Council President António Costa cautioned today, hours before Washington’s deadline expires.

EU enlargement chief Marta Kos has called on capitals to present plans to enable new countries to join the bloc after they rejected proposals to streamline the process. 🔗 www.politico.eu/article/eu-e...

The EU’s top diplomat warned leaders at a summit today that the bloc could easily become entangled in a toxic conflict in the Middle East that could be difficult to extricate itself from.

🚨 BREAKING: EU leaders have failed to convince Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to drop his opposition to a €90 billion loan to fund Ukraine’s war effort, according to four diplomats and officials. Full story: www.politico.eu/article/eu-n...

The EU's 27 member countries are set to back a push to send more ships to the Middle East as conflict paralyzes shipping routes. But only to support existing European operations "in line with their respective mandates."

EU countries today struck a deal to ensure the bloc's framework of sanctions against Russian businesses and oligarchs don’t expire over the weekend, which would have led to restrictions on thousands of companies and individuals being abruptly relaxed.

Budapest is still blocking the €90 billion loan to Kyiv. The issue may have turned into a personal spat between the Hungarian and Ukrainian leaders — one that likely won't be resolved before Hungary’s election next month. More in Brussels Playbook 👇

Ursula von der Leyen faces a grilling from Socialist MEPs this morning over accusations she has abandoned the rules-based global order. It’s the latest clash threatening the Commission president’s ability to see out her term. More in Brussels Playbook 👇

A rare chance for thousands of aspiring officials to secure jobs at the heart of the EU is turning into a scramble for member countries to place their citizens in influential roles. Full story 👇

The U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran are driving instability across the Middle East and ushering in a new, more dangerous geopolitical era that only helps the EU’s adversaries, António Costa has warned in a speech.

The EU today sought to reassure national capitals concerned over its handling of the energy crisis that started after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and has ramped up as conflict spreads across the Middle East.

Cyprus is scrambling to keep its six-month turn leading the EU’s lawmaking work on track after it had to hastily reschedule major meetings when Iranian drones targeted the country.

European countries are already in the crosshairs for Iran’s aggression and should drop their insistence on finding diplomatic solutions to the crisis, said Avi Nir-Feldklein, Israel’s ambassador to the EU.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is seizing on fears of an energy price shock from the Iran war to try to claw back ground against his challenger Péter Magyar ahead of an April 12 election.

From dealing with Donald Trump to turning around industrial decline, the EU's formation of the most powerful national representatives has come into its own. Here's an inside-the-room look at how they operate 👇 🔗 www.politico.eu/article/cris...

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán suggested he could drop his veto on the EU sending €90 billion to Kyiv if the EU assesses damage to an oil pipeline in Ukraine.

EU leaders are looking for ways to grant Hungary's Viktor Orbán a face-saving win that would allow him to climb down from blocking funds for Ukraine while avoiding a full-blown legal fight between Brussels and Budapest, according to three EU diplomats.

EU ambassadors permanently based in Brussels are playing a bigger role than ever in shaping the bloc’s response to the biggest challenges of our time. We take you inside the EU’s crisis “bunker”:

Hungary must lift its blockade on a €90 billion loan to Ukraine and abide by the commitments it made to other EU leaders in December, European Council President António Costa warned in a letter to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

The European Commission is due to present the text of the Industrial Accelerator Act next week. But the divisions within the EU executive over the draft proposal mean that the deadline now appears unlikely to be met. More in Brussels Playbook 👇

The EU has always prided itself on its members all moving forward as one. That era is over.

It was supposed to be a simple sit-down with like-minded countries. But an impromptu pre-meeting ahead of today’s EU summit led to leaders being delayed, arrive late and then trade accusations over missing invitations.

Ursula von der Leyen insists that EU capitals have no right to scapegoat Brussels for excessive red tape and single market failures. 🔗 politi.co/45XUaao

🔴 EU leaders are gathering at a Belgian castle today to brainstorm ways to boost Europe’s economy. The overarching question for them: How to keep the bloc competitive as it seeks to reduce dependence on Trump’s America? Follow our live blog for updates 👇 politi.co/4bM0IMU

EU leaders are gearing up for major fights as efforts to loosen Europe’s dependence on Donald Trump’s America lay bare deep divisions among the bloc’s 27 countries.

EU countries are piling pressure on the European Commission to get serious about turning around the bloc’s sluggish economy, amid fears it could be left at the mercy of other big players like the U.S. and China. Brussels Playbook has more 👇

Convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein kept a network of contacts in Brussels over the course of a decade, corresponding with powerful people and with modeling agencies about women, documents show.

The EU and U.K. must overcome historic gripes and "reset" their relationship to be able to work together in an increasingly uncertain world, the bloc's top parliamentarian said.

The EU is relaunching its elite recruitment competition after a seven-year break in an effort to find a new generation of high-level administrators to help manage the world’s second largest economy.