Author: Press Room
Published on 18/12/2025 – 23:27 GMT+1 •Updated 23:35 Following tense negotiations among the 27 member states, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday pushed the signature of the contentious Mercosur agreement to January to the frustration of backers Germany and Spain. The trade deal dominated the EU summit, with France and Italy pressing for a delay to secure stronger farmer protections, while von der Leyen had hoped to travel to Latin America for a signing ceremony on 20 December after securing member-state support. Without approval, the ceremony can no longer go ahead. There is not set date. “The Commission…
The European Union, under the helm of the Danish Presidency, made notable progress on policies considered priorities for Copenhagen, the country’s European Affairs Minister Marie Bjerre said on Euronews’ flagship interview programme 12 Minutes With. The Danish government has held the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU since 1 July 2025, allowing it to set the agenda in Brussels. One of its priorities was tackling “bureaucracy” and “over-regulation” in a bid to restore the EU’s competitive edge, faced with China and the US. “We said from the beginning that we wanted a stronger Europe in terms of security…
A former sheriff from Florida, a member of the French military and a Swiss intelligence officer were among 12 individuals sanctioned by the European Union on 15 December. The measures initiated by France also led a host of Russian nationals to be sanctioned, in light of Russia’s continued hybrid warfare targeting the EU’s member states and its partners. The three Westerners have used their former careers in Western police forces, military or intelligence to gain credibility, according to experts. “Their past careers in intelligence and the military conjure up ideas of secrecy, as well as the notion of the ‘deep…
Published on 18/12/2025 – 10:50 GMT+1 Rumour has it only the sharpest students can tell the difference between the Council of the EU, the Council of Europe and today’s suspect, the European Council. I am sure you know, but let us recap. Today’s summit runs for two days. Inside, they need 30 chairs: 27 for the national leaders, plus three special seats for Antonio Costa, Ursula von Der Leyen and Kaja Kallas. Officially, there are 24 languages. This creates over 500 possible language combinations. Though in reality, most negotiations happen in English — even though the English have left the…
By Jorge Liboreiro & Alice Tidey & Vincenzo Genovese & Eleonora Vasques & Peggy Corlin & Marta Pacheco Published on 18/12/2025 – 7:00 GMT+1 The 27 leaders of the European Union are gathering in Brussels to make a decision that could redefine the continent’s security architecture: how to raise at least €90 billion to meet Ukraine’s financial and military needs for 2026 and 2027. With the United States pushing for a fast deal between Ukraine and Russia, diplomats and officials are framing today’s summit as a make-or-break moment for Europeans to maximise their collective leverage and prove they still have skin in the game. “This…
European Union membership alone is insufficient to guarantee Ukraine’s future security as part of a peace settlement, although it’s “undoubtedly” a key part of the answer, Danish European Affairs Minister Marie Bjerre has told Euronews’ flagship interview programme, 12 Minutes With. Ukraine would be slated to join the European Union as early as January 2027 as part of security guarantees reportedly put forward in peace negotiations mediated by the United States. However, the deadline has been met with scepticism by the EU, which repeatedly emphasises that accession is a “merit-based” process. “I think it is fair that EU accession is…
By Méabh Mc Mahon & Alice Carnevali Published on 17/12/2025 – 17:01 GMT+1 •Updated 17:29 If you are interested in European Union politics and international relations, you’ve probably come across the term “frozen Russian assets” multiple times over the past few weeks – and may have noticed that it is at the centre of an intense debate among EU member states. So what makes these assets so divisive, and why is it so crucial that Ukraine taps into this steam of revenue? In this special episode of our podcast, Brussels, My Love?, we sit down with Euronews’ EU politics reporter Jorge Liboreiro to…
European Commissioner for Climate Wopke Hoekstra defended a controversial decision to drop a planned ban of combustion-engine vehicles from 2035, calling it a “smart and wise compromise” for both climate and industry in an interview with Euronews. His comments follow the European Commission’s announcement on Tuesday that it would roll back a proposal to entirely ban the sale of cars powered by combustion engines from 2035. Instead, the executive said the ban would apply to 90% of new cars, down from 100%. The extra leeway could allow more polluting vehicles to enter the market. European automakers, facing a perfect storm…
By Euronews Published on 17/12/2025 – 20:30 GMT+1 With the new Migration and Asylum Pact not entering into force before 2026, are these latest measures a necessary response to security concerns — or a step toward a “Fortress Europe”? As irregular crossings remain deadly and far-right pressure grows across member states, the European Parliament now faces a decisive choice: double down on stricter border controls or reaffirm Europe’s commitment to human rights and international law. To debate the future of EU migration policy, we are joined by MEP Charlie Weimers, from the European Conservatives and Reformists, and MEP Li Andersson, from…
Published on 17/12/2025 – 18:37 GMT+1 •Updated 18:48 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said “There can be no place for the poison of antisemitism” at a ceremony in Brussels on Wednesday which saw her light a Chanukiah to observe the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Von der Leyenslammed what she called the resurgence of the “old evil” across Europe and cited swastikas painted on Jewish homes, synagogues vandalised and Jewish children kept locked in schools over concerns for their safety. “Today, too many Jews do not feel safe to light a Chanukiah in the window. Or wear a kippah…