Serbia’s current Russian gas arrangement expires on 30 September, after a series of short-term extensions replaced its previous long-term contract
Vučić expects another extension following his call with Putin, saying Serbia currently pays €318 per 1,000 cubic metres for Russian gas
Serbia also imports gas from Azerbaijan and produces some domestically, but remains heavily dependent on Russian supplies
Energy ties remain a challenge for Serbia’s EU orientation: Belgrade has maintained close relations with Moscow, while the EU is moving to end Russian gas imports by 2027
Transparency Note: Use of AI
More Quick Briefs:
·International Right·National Politics·Security·Ukraine·War in Ukraine·24 February 2022·Diplomacy·Hard Winter·Russia·USA
·International Right·National Politics·Security·Ukraine·War in Ukraine·24 February 2022·Diplomacy·Hard Winter·Russia·USA
Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine ↗︎
More than four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion, Ukraine continues to resist as the war has evolved from Moscow’s failed attempt at a rapid victory into a prolonged conflict with no political settlement in sight.
→Update (26.09.2026): Analysis: Ukraine’s new counteroffensive tactics could help break positional warfare and restore tactical maneuver (ISW)
→Update (25.09.2026): Analysis: Russia intensifies strikes on Ukraine’s data centres and telecommunications infrastructure (ISW)
→Update (24.09.2026): News: Russian missile attack on Kyiv kills civilians and damages residential areas (Reuters)
→Update (23.09.2026): Analysis: Russian tank survives 40 drone strikes, suggesting mechanised warfare could make comeback (EUobserver)
→Update (23.09.2026): Analysis: Kremlin rejects proposed energy ceasefire and reiterates maximalist war demands (ISW)
→Update (23.09.2026): Analysis: Kremlin uses sham elections to manufacture legitimacy in occupied Ukraine (ISW)
→Update (22.09.2026): News: Ukraine races to counter new jet-powered Russian drones (BBC)
→Update (22.09.2026): Analysis: Russian Ministry of Defense falsely claims encirclement of Dobropillya as part of cognitive warfare campaign (ISW)
→Update (22.09.2026): Analysis: Western tech helps funnel foreign recruits into Russia’s war (POLITICO)
→Update (21.09.2026): Analysis: Ukraine’s largest Moscow air raid overwhelms defences and hits key oil refinery (EUobserver)
→Update (20.09.2026): Analysis: Russia secretly plans to massively expand kamikaze drone production (POLITICO)
→Update (20.09.2026): News: Ukrainian drones hit Moscow oil refinery, killing two (Reuters)
→Update (19.09.2026): Analysis: Russian Ministry of Defense exaggerates battlefield gains ahead of UN General Assembly (ISW)
→Update (18.09.2026): Analysis: Tusk reveals classified estimates of Ukrainian battlefield casualties (EUobserver)
→Update (18.09.2026): Analysis: Kremlin denies post-election mobilization amid fears of public backlash (ISW)
→Update (18.09.2026): Podcast: Ukraine faces mounting pressure ahead of wartime winter (ECFR)
→Update (17.09.2026): Analysis: Russia pushes to capture Dobropillia before autumn conditions worsen (EUobserver)
→Update (17.09.2026): Analysis: Russia continues deporting Ukrainian female political prisoners to distant penal colonies (ISW)
→Update (17.09.2026): News: Russia targets passenger trains to undermine Ukraine’s economy and morale (POLITICO)
→Update (16.09.2026): Analysis: Ukrainian forces reportedly advance beyond Zherebets River (EUobserver)
→Update (16.09.2026): Analysis: Putin frames Duma elections as referendum on Ukraine war (ISW)
→Update (15.09.2026): Analysis: Ukraine hits record number of Russian refineries as Trump pushes energy ceasefire (EUobserver)
→Update (15.09.2026): Analysis: Ukraine’s Operation Vivaldi disrupts Russia’s Fortress Belt encirclement (ISW)
→Update (14.09.2026): Analysis: Ukraine races to counter Russia’s jet-powered drones (POLITICO)
→Update (14.09.2026): Analysis: Zelensky reiterates readiness for mutual energy strikes moratorium (ISW)
→Update (13.09.2026): Analysis: Russian strikes near Polish border signal growing escalation (ISW)
→Update (12.09.2026): Analysis: Ukraine disrupts Russia’s Donbas offensive plans (ISW)
→Update (13.09.2026): Analysis: Anthropic AI joins Ukraine war after Russian exploitation (EUobserver)
→Update (11.09.2026): Analysis: Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment (ISW)
→Update (10.09.2026): Analysis: Russia spent over €110bn on Ukraine war so far in 2026 (EUobserver)
→Update (10.09.2026): Analysis: Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment (ISW)
→Update (10.09.2026): Analysis: Russian Occupation Update (ISW)
→Update (10.09.2026): Analysis: Zelenskyy gambles on pressure to force Putin into peace talks (POLITICO)
→Update (09.09.2026): Analysis: Russia’s claimed Kharkiv encirclement lacks evidence (EUobserver)
→Update (09.09.2026): News: Zelenskyy’s plane nearly hit by drone en route to Oslo (Euronews)
→Quick Brief:
→Russia launched its full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022, expecting rapid military gains, but its attempt to seize Kyiv failed as Ukrainian forces resisted
→The failed initial offensive developed into a long war of attrition, with Russia occupying Ukrainian territory while Ukraine continues to defend itself and strike Russian military and economic targets
→Winter has repeatedly intensified pressure on civilians: Russia has systematically targeted Ukraine’s electricity and heating infrastructure, causing widespread outages and disruption
→Diplomacy has not ended the war: renewed US-led efforts have so far failed to bridge fundamental differences between Moscow and Kyiv, while Russian military operations continue
→Sources: UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, Reuters, Associated Press
→Transparency Note: Use of AI
·Geopolitics·Inside Europe·Security·Christoph Blocher·EU Sanctions·International Law·Russia·Swiss People’s Party·Switzerland
·Geopolitics·Inside Europe·Security·Christoph Blocher·EU Sanctions·International Law·Russia·Swiss People’s Party·Switzerland
Switzerland Votes on Stricter Neutrality ↗︎
Swiss voters will decide on 27 September whether to constitutionally tighten the country’s neutrality, potentially restricting sanctions and defence cooperation at a time when Russia’s war against Ukraine has reshaped European security.
→The initiative would define Swiss neutrality as permanent and armed and restrict the country’s ability to cooperate militarily with other states
→Switzerland would generally no longer adopt EU sanctions against countries at war, such as those imposed on Russia after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine
→The vote therefore reaches beyond traditional neutrality, potentially changing how Switzerland responds to European security crises and violations of international law
→Former federal councillor Christoph Blocher, a leading figure of the Swiss People’s Party (SVP), helped drive the initiative after criticising Switzerland’s adoption of EU sanctions against Russia. The government and parliament recommend rejecting it
→Sources: Swiss Federal Government, ZEIT, Swiss Parliament
→Transparency Note: Use of AI
·Diplomacy·Europe in the world·International Right·Middle East Relations·Ukraine·European Union·General Assembly’s General Debate·Multilateralism·Russia·United Nations·USA
·Diplomacy·Europe in the world·International Right·Middle East Relations·Ukraine·European Union·General Assembly’s General Debate·Multilateralism·Russia·United Nations·USA
World Leaders Converge in New York ↗︎
The 81st UN General Assembly’s General Debate begins on 22 September, bringing heads of state and government together under the theme of restoring trust and strengthening international cooperation.
→Update (25.09.2026): Nepal Speech: Balendra Shah, Prime Minister of Nepal, warns of devastating climate disasters and calls for stronger global action (YouTube)
→Update (25.09.2026): Niger Speech: Lamine Zeine Ali Mahaman, Prime Minister, defends Sahel sovereignty (coalition between Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso) and accuses France of destabilising the region (YouTube)
→Update (25.09.2026): South Africa Speech: South Africa calls for greater African voice in global governance and action against global inequality (YouTube)
→Update (25.09.2026): Australia Speech: Albanese defends multilateralism and rules-based international order (YouTube)
→Update (24.09.2026): Ethiopia Speech: President Taye Atskeselassie Amde calls for global cooperation and demands maritime access (YouTube)
→Update (24.09.2026): Rwanda Speech: Justin Nsengiyumva accuses DR Congo and Burundi of supporting FDLR rebels operating from eastern Congo (YouTube)
→Update (24.09.2026): Palestine Speech: Abbas calls for Palestinian statehood and an end to the Gaza war (YouTube)
→Update (24.09.2026): EU News: Costa warns of ‘dangerous escalation’ in Russian hybrid attacks against Europe (EUobserver)
→Update (24.09.2026): Ghana Speech: Ghana calls for permanent African representation on UN Security Council (YouTube)
→Update (24.09.2026): Netherlands Speech: Dutch PM Jetten tells UN ‘Hands off the ICC’ and pushes for further fight against climate change (YouTube)
→Update (24.09.2026): Israel Speech: Netanyahu addresses UN General Assembly amid Gaza war, Serveral delegates leave the hall (YouTube)
→Update (24.09.2026): Spain Speech: Sánchez defends multilateralism and human rights in UN address (YouTube)
→Update (24.09.2026): Kenya Speech: President Ruto calls for reform of global governance, global economy and Security Council to a more multilateral and fair system (YouTube)
→Update (23.09.2026): Ukraine Speech: Zelenskyy warns of harsh winter and vows to make war painful for Russia (YouTube)
→Update (23.09.2026): Jordan Speech: King Abdullah condemns Israeli actions and calls West Bank displacement a war crime (YouTube)
→Update (23.09.2026): Finland Speech: Stubb warns of growing world disorder in UN address (YouTube)
→Update (22.09.2026): Brazil Speech: Lula warns against foreign interference and defends Brazilian sovereignty (YouTube)
→Update (23.09.2026): Speech: Guterres warns of growing global divisions in UN address (YouTube)
→Update (23.09.2026): News: Zelenskyy meets Trump at UN to push energy truce with Russia (Reuters)
→Update (22.09.2026): News: Macron denounces Trump’s Gaza diplomacy as ‘spectacle of shame’ (Reuters)
→Update (22.09.2026): News: Trump lays out vision of militaristic US unbound by international rules (RFI)
→Update (22.09.2026): News: Wars, AI and climate change dominate UN General Assembly agenda (RFI)
→Quick Brief, 21.09.2026:
→The 81st UN General Assembly’s General Debate begins on 22 September, bringing heads of state and government together under the theme of restoring trust and strengthening international cooperation
→The wars in the Middle East and Ukraine will dominate diplomacy, with Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian among the key figures expected in New York
→Zelenskyy is expected to meet Trump, while also holding talks with European leaders as Ukraine seeks continued political and financial support against Russia
→For the EU, the gathering is also a test of its push to defend international law and multilateral institutions at a time when relations with Washington are strained over several major global conflicts
→Sources: EUobserver, United Nations, Reuters
→Transparency Note: Use of AI
·Security·Transatlantic Relations·Arctic·Greenland
·Security·Transatlantic Relations·Arctic·Greenland
An Agreement about Greenland: Hope for US-EU Diplomacy? ↗︎
Large protests in Nuuk overshadowed the opening of a new US consulate amid growing fears of American pressure on Greenland.
→Update (25.09.2026): News: Arctic outpost likely to host US troops under new Greenland deal (Reuters)
→Update (23.09.2026): Analysis: Greenland Agreement reshapes US-Danish Arctic security ties (POLITICO)
→Update (22.09.2026): News: Trump, Denmark and Greenland sign deal aimed at ending Arctic standoff (Reuters)
→Update (20.09.2026): Commentary: Greenland deal offers hope for US-EU diplomacy (EUobserver)
→Update (19.09.2026): News: Denmark and Greenland say US deal will not compromise sovereignty (Reuters)
→Update (18.09.2026): News: US and Denmark reach Greenland security agreement after Trump annexation threats (BBC)
→Update (18.09.2026): News: Trump-linked US investors buy property for former Greenland minister (Euractiv)
→Quick Brief, 22 May:
→Around 1,000 protesters chanted “Greenland belongs to Greenlanders.”
→Activists rejected US influence and Trump’s Arctic ambitions
→Several Greenlandic leaders boycotted the opening ceremony
→The event exposed tensions over growing US geopolitical interest in Greenland
→Source: Euractiv
·National Politics·Security·Elections·Liberals·Magdalena Andersson·Sweden·Ulf Kristersson
·National Politics·Security·Elections·Liberals·Magdalena Andersson·Sweden·Ulf Kristersson
Sweden: Slight win for Andersson ↗︎
Sweden votes on 13 September in an increasingly close contest between the centre-left opposition and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s governing bloc, amid concerns over foreign disinformation.
→Update (25.09.2026): News: Sweden receives record number of challenges to election result amid vote-tampering allegations (Euractiv)
→Update (23.09.2026): Interview: Magdalena Andersson calls for stronger Swedish role in EU foreign policy (POLITICO)
→Update (21.09.2026): Analysis: 11 lessons for Europe from the far right’s failure in Sweden (POLITICO)
→Update (17.09.2026): Analysis: How Sweden’s far right stopped winning (Reuters)
→Update (17.09.2026): News: Sweden’s left wins razor-thin election victory (POLITICO)
→Update (15.09.2026): Analysis: Sweden Democrats’ ‘era of deportations’ leaves lasting mark across Europe (EUobserver)
→Update (15.09.2026): Analysis: Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist emerges as Sweden’s most powerful woman (POLITICO)
→Update (14.09.2026): Interview: Expert warns Sweden faces ‘very messy’ political situation after election (YouTube)
→Update (14.09.2026): News: Preliminary results give Swedish opposition three-seat majority (AP)
→Update (14.09.2026): Analysis: Sweden’s election remains very close (Euractiv)
→Update (13.09.2026): News: Early poll suggests Swedes reject far-right party in election (EUobserver)
→Update (11.09.2026): Analysis: Sweden’s fractured left holds narrow lead ahead of election (Reuters)
→Update (10.09.2026): Analysis: Sweden’s election could bring far right into heart of government (Reuters)
→Update (10.09.2026): News: Sweden warns Russia is targeting elections in France and Germany with disinformation (POLITICO)
→Update (09.09.2026): Analysis: Swedish Voter Barometer (Novus)
→Quick Brief:
→Swedes will elect the Riksdag as well as regional and municipal councils on 13 September, with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson seeking another term
→The centre-left led by Social Democrat Magdalena Andersson remains ahead, but the governing right-wing bloc has narrowed the gap significantly in recent polls
→The Liberals could be decisive: a recent Novus poll puts them at 4.3%, just above the 4% threshold needed to remain in parliament - potentially improving Kristersson’s chances of retaining power
→The election also takes place under heightened security concerns. Swedish authorities say Russia is not prioritising the vote, but pro-Russian networks have already spread fabricated claims about electoral fraud
→Sources: EUobserver, Reuters, Swedish Election Authority
→Transparency Note: Use of AI
·Economic Policy·Monetary Policy·Security·Budget·Council of the EU·EU Borrowing·European Commission·General Affairs Council·Multiannual Financial Framework
·Economic Policy·Monetary Policy·Security·Budget·Council of the EU·EU Borrowing·European Commission·General Affairs Council·Multiannual Financial Framework
EU Budget Battle Intensifies ↗︎
Six fiscally conservative EU countries are demanding major cuts to Brussels’ proposed €2 trillion budget for 2028–2034, setting up a difficult fight over Europe’s future spending priorities.
→Update (25.09.2026): News: 12 countries oppose French push for EU defence preference (Euractiv)
→Update (23.09.2026): News: EU governments consider cutting development aid by up to 40 percent (EUobserver)
→Update (23.09.2026): News: Greece proposes EU-wide telecoms levy to fund budget and high-tech investment (Euractiv)
→Update (22.09.2026): News: France opposes cuts to foreign aid in next EU budget (POLITICO)
→Update (22.09.2026): News: Results of the General Affairs Council (Irish EU Presidency)
→Update (22.09.2026): News: France opposes cuts to foreign aid in next EU budget (POLITICO)
→Update (22.09.2026): News: Germany rejects Costa’s push for new EU budget taxes (POLITICO)
→Update (22.09.2026): News: EU ministers meet in Brussels for General Affairs Council (Council of the EU)
→Update (21.09.2026): Analysis: EU budget could strengthen rule of law safeguards but member states may blunt reforms (CER)
→Update (21.09.2026): News: Costa says EU budget needs new taxes governments are not already raising (POLITICO)
→Update (18.09.2026): News: Germany and Spain go head-to-head in EU budget fight (POLITICO)
→Update (17.09.2026): News: MEPs deadlocked over CAP’s place in next EU budget (Euractiv)
→Update (15.09.2026): News: Metsola urges Europe’s political centre to hold against extremes (Euractiv)
→Update (14.09.2026): News: EU plans cuts to staff and salaries in next long-term budget (POLITICO)
→Update (14.09.2026): News: EU countries split over scale of long-term budget cuts (Euractiv)
→Update (09.09.2026): News: Germany calls for hundreds of billions in EU budget cuts (Reuters)
→Update (09.09.2026): News: Costa says new EU taxes would reduce national contributions (POLITICO)
→Update (08.09.2026): News: France backs business tax to fund EU budget (Euractiv)
→Update (07.09.2026): News: Le Pen backs tobacco retailers against EU tax hikes (Euractiv)
→Update (07.09.2026): News: Ireland secures EU tax deal on carbon imports and e-waste (POLITICO)
→Update (04.09.2026): News: Spain urges EU climate adaptation fund and binding targets (Reuters)
→Update (04.09.2026): Commentary: EU budget could loosen China’s grip on critical raw materials (Euronews)
→Update (03.09.2026): News: EU budget negotiators criticise frugal states over cuts (EUobserver)
→Update (03.09.2026): Interview: Lithuania says eastern flank needs must shape EU budget (Euractiv)
→Update (02.09.2026): News: Spain worried by EU budget debate (Euractiv)
→Update (02.09.2026): News: EU budget camps remain deadlocked (EUobserver)
→Update (31.08.2026): News: Ireland seeks to break EU budget deadlock (POLITICO)
→Update (27.08.2026): Europe’s defence promise meets budget reality (ECFR)
→Quick Brief:
→Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria, Finland and Sweden want cuts of several hundred billion euros
→The European Commission has proposed a nearly €2 trillion seven-year budget for 2028–2034
→The six still want priority spending on defence, competitiveness, migration and European sovereignty
→They reject new joint EU borrowing and demand cuts across spending areas as national budgets face consolidation
→Sources: Euractiv, Reuters, Council of the EU
→Transparency Note: Use of AI
·Diplomacy·Russia·Security·War in Ukraine·“Russia Sanctions”·21 sanctions package·Alisher Usmanov·France·Latvia·Luxembourg·Mikhail Fridman·Unanimity·Valdis Dombrovskis
·Diplomacy·Russia·Security·War in Ukraine·“Russia Sanctions”·21 sanctions package·Alisher Usmanov·France·Latvia·Luxembourg·Mikhail Fridman·Unanimity·Valdis Dombrovskis
EU Faces “Russia Sanctions”Fatigue ↗︎
EU Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis is urging member states to maintain economic pressure on Russia as disputes between capitals increasingly complicate the bloc’s sanctions policy.
→Update (24.09.2026): Editorial: France’s deal over Russian sanctions undermines European unity (Le Monde)
→Update (24.09.2026): Commentary: Macron’s Russia policy risks damaging EU unity (EUobserver)
→Update (23.09.2026): News: Estonia demands explanation for France’s push to lift EU sanctions on Usmanov (Reuters)
→Update (23.09.2026): News: Azerbaijan pardons French national after EU drops Usmanov sanctions (Reuters)
→Quick Brief:
→Dombrovskis warns of growing “sanctions fatigue” after almost five years of war, arguing that weakening European pressure would benefit Moscow
→The EU has adopted 21 sanctions packages since Russia’s full-scale invasion, targeting energy, finance, trade and Russia’s military-industrial complex
→Internal divisions are becoming more visible: France secured the removal of Alisher Usmanov from the sanctions list, while Luxembourg pushed for Mikhail Fridman’s delisting. Latvia initially blocked the moves before lifting its veto
→Changing the system is difficult because EU sanctions require unanimity. Dombrovskis says removing that requirement is not currently realistic, leaving political unity among all 27 governments essential
→Sources: Euractiv, European Commission - EU sanctions against Russia
→Transparency Note: Use of AI
·National Politics·Ban·Foreign students·Georgia Meloni·Italy
·National Politics·Ban·Foreign students·Georgia Meloni·Italy
Meloni to Ban Face Coverings and Limit Foreign students ↗︎
Georgia Meloni promises to ban face coverings in Italian schools and restrict the number of foreign students with legislative proposals.
→Update (24.09.2026): News: Italy caps non-Italian speakers and bans face coverings in schools (Euractiv)
→Quick Brief:
→Italy's Prime Minister Georgia Meloni announced that her government is preparing to ban face coverings in Italian schools
→At the same time, they will restrict the number of foreign students allowed in each classroom
→Currently foreign students constitute around 11.6% of the school population in Italy
→Meloni's government has previously also looked into banning face coverings such as niqab and burqa in public places
→Sources։ Politico, ISMU
·African Relations·Health Policy·Democratic Republic of Congo·Ebola·Epidemic·Uganda·WHO
·African Relations·Health Policy·Democratic Republic of Congo·Ebola·Epidemic·Uganda·WHO
Ebola Epidemic: DRC’s deadliest, Conflicts make situation worse ↗︎
The World Health Organisation declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda a global public health emergency.
→Update (24.09.2026): News: WHO says Congo’s Ebola outbreak remains out of control amid health worker shortage (PBS NewsHour)
→Update (22.09.2026): New numbers, new infections (CDC)
→Update (20.09.2026): News: Congo prioritizes Ebola health care workers for Ervebo vaccine effective against different virus strain (AP)
→Update (26.08.2023): Conflict drives DRC cholera outbreak (RFI)
→Update (20.08.2026): Ebola vaccines allocated to Congo (WHO)
→Update (13.08.2026): WHO chief warns of deadliest Ebola outbreak (BBC News)
→Update (10.08.2026): Interview with expert: How missing international aid increasingly exacerbates the crisis (ZDFheute)
→Update (05.08.2026): Expert speaks about potential future Ebola vaccine (FAZ)
→Update (July 24, 2026): First person gets new experimental vaccine for Ebola (BBC)
→Update (July 13, 2026): Ebola vaccine made in UK now ready for trials (BBC)
→Update (July 09, 2026): Ebola rumours fuel attacks on health workers (BBC)
→Update (July 03, 2026): Ebola treatments trial begins in DR Congo (BBC)
→Update (June 15, 2026): Recovery of Ebola patients offers rare moments of joy (BBC)
→Update (June 02, 2026): Protests against US Ebola quarantine centre plan in Kenya, two deaths (BBC)
→Update (June 01, 2026): Three Ebola vaccines in development (BBC)
→Update (May 31, 2026): How Ebola spreads and why it is so dangerous (BBC)
→Update (May 31, 2026): Medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has warned about Ebola in DRC: "Deeply alarming" situation (BBC)
→Update (May 25, 2026): Many African countries want to cooperate to prevent the virus from further spreading (BBC); the EU and UNICEF mobilise over 100 metric tonnes of emergency supplies to DRC (UNICEF)
→Update (May 24, 2026): African Centres for Disease Control warns of 10 other countries being at risk (BBC)
→Update (May 22, 2026): Drastic missing information and education about the danger of Ebola within the population. Regional conflicts affect the situation. The population has high levels of mistrust of the government, corruption, and institutions like hospitals (BBC). WHO warned of very high national and regional spread, a potential epidemic and healthcare risks, but low global influence (BBC)
→May 21, 2026:
→WHO and the African Union declared a public health emergency over the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak, which started in Eastern Congo (Ituri)
→Bundibugyo Ebola is a rare Ebola strain with no approved specific vaccine or treatment yet; a vaccine could take 9 months
→WHO reported approximately 600 suspected cases and 139 suspected deaths, but the situation is highly fluid
→Sources: WHO, BBC
·Diplomacy·Europe in the world·Geoeconomics·Trade Policy·European Union·Indo-Pacific·Philippines·Trade Policy
·Diplomacy·Europe in the world·Geoeconomics·Trade Policy·European Union·Indo-Pacific·Philippines·Trade Policy
EU and Philippines Near Trade Agreement ↗︎
The EU and the Philippines have reached substantial agreement on a free trade deal, advancing Europe’s push to diversify trade and deepen its economic presence in the Indo-Pacific.
→Both sides agreed to liberalise 94% of tariff lines, covering more than 97% of goods traded between them
→Bilateral trade reached €17.6 billion in goods in 2025, while services trade amounted to €10.3 billion in 2024
→The agreement would give European companies greater access to a market of 113 million people, while opening opportunities for sectors including machinery, pharmaceuticals and agriculture
→The agreement also strengthens the EU’s Indo-Pacific engagement and trade diversification. Negotiators aim to formally conclude it in the coming months, with signing targeted for 2027 in the Philippines
→Sources: European Commission, Euractiv, Reuters, EU-Observer
→Transparency Note: Use of AI
·Europe in the world·EU·European Commission·European Union·ICC·USA
·Europe in the world·EU·European Commission·European Union·ICC·USA
The EU Backs ICC After US Sanctions ↗︎
The EU has joined growing international criticism of US pressure on the International Criminal Court after Washington sanctioned its president and a senior prosecutor.
→Update (24.09.2026): News: Trump urges countries to quit ICC but few follow his lead (Reuters)
→Update (24.09.2026): Speech: Dutch PM Jetten tells UN ‘Hands off the ICC’ (YouTube)
→Update (22.09.2026): News: Pressure mounts on EU to shield ICC from new US sanctions (EUobserver)
→Update (20.09.2026): News: Trump administration prepares sanctions against entire International Criminal Court (Reuters)
→Update (09.09.2026): News: US pressures NATO allies to oppose ICC (POLITICO)
→Quick Brief:
→EU leaders backed the International Criminal Court after the US imposed sanctions on its president and a senior official
→Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused the ICC of targeting officials from countries that reject its jurisdiction
→The EU, Germany and the Netherlands defended the court's independence and right to operate without political pressure
→Washington has vowed to further weaken the ICC's ability to pursue cases involving Americans and other non-member states
→Source: POLITICO
→Transparency Note: Use of AI
·Human Rights·Migration·National Politics·EU's Southern Border·European Governance·Marocco·Migration Policy·Spain
·Human Rights·Migration·National Politics·EU's Southern Border·European Governance·Marocco·Migration Policy·Spain
Thousands of Migrants Reach Spain’s Ceuta Enclave From Morocco End of July ↗︎
Thousands of migrants have attempted to reach Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta by swimming from Morocco.
→Update (23.09.2026): News: Sánchez says Morocco’s border control ‘failed’ during Ceuta crisis (Le Monde)
→Update (21.09.2026): News: Spain and Morocco move to prevent new mass crossing into Ceuta on election day of Marocco (Euractiv)
→Update (18.09.2026): News: Police begin moving migrants from Ceuta beaches (BBC)
→Update (18.09.2026): Analysis: Ceuta border crisis fuels Europe’s far right despite falling migrant arrivals (Reuters)
→Update (17.09.2026): Analysis: Ceuta crisis exposes dangerous erosion of trust within Schengen (CER)
→Update (17.09.2026): Commentary: Europe must clean up Spain’s Ceuta migration mess (POLITICO)
→Update (09.09.2026): Analysis: Ceuta migration crisis fuels Spain’s and Europe’s far right (EUobserver)
→Update (08.09.2026): News: Ceuta mayor urges tougher EU stance on Morocco (Euractiv)
→Update (06.09.2026): News: Torres calls for consensus over Ceuta migration crisis (RTVE)
→Update (06.09.2026): News: Sánchez stands alone in defence of Morocco over Ceuta (Euractiv)
→Update (03.09.2026): News: Spain seeks full EU integration for Ceuta and Melilla (Euractiv)
→Update (03.09.2026): News: Commission questions Spain’s Frontex expansion request in Ceuta (EUobserver)
→Update (03.09.2026): News: Protests in Spain against government’s handling of Ceuta migrant crisis (BBC News)
→Update (02.09.2026): Commentary: Solve the crisis without undermining democracy (elDiario.es)
→Update (02.09.2026): News: Spanish police point to Morocco’s role in Ceuta crisis (Euractiv)
→Update (31.08.2026): News: Italy extends border checks on Spain (Euractiv)
→Update (31.08.2026): News: Sánchez says no evidence Morocco drove Ceuta surge (Euractiv)
→Update (30.08.2026): Spain announces €165m Ceuta emergency package (Euronews)
→Update (28.08.2026): Editorial: Racist attacks in Ceuta must stop (CTXT)
→Update (28.08.2026): Ceuta struggles to identify victims (ZEIT)
→Update (28.08.2026): Spain seeks Frontex and Europol help (Euronews)
→Update (27.08.2026): Bogus Ceuta videos go viral (EUobserver)
→Update (27.08.2026): Spain tightens migration rules (Euractiv)
→Update (26.08.2026): Intelligence missed Ceuta surge warning (Euractiv)
→Update (25.08.2026): Sánchez fast-tracks Ceuta crisis response (Euractiv)
→Update (25.08.2026): Sánchez convenes National Security Council (El País)
→Update (23.08.2026): Ceuta exposes EU migration failure (Exxpress)
→Update (20.08.2026): Ceuta crisis fuels far right (El Confidencial)
→Update (20.08.2026): Spain plans two refugee camps in Ceuta (ZEIT)
→Update (15.08.2026): Spain prepares for new Ceuta influx (ZEIT)
→Update (15.08.2026): Spain allegedly ignored Ceuta warnings (Reuters)
→Update (12.08.2026): Morocco reinforces Ceuta border security (AP News)
→Update (11.08.2026): Meta, TikTok agree to Ceuta fact-checking (Reuters)
→Update (11.08.2026): Meloni, Frederiksen reshape refugee policy (La Stampa)
→Update (10.08.2026): Ceuta exposes Europe’s leadership crisis (Diário de Notícias)
→Update (09.08.2026): Spain’s migration debate intensifies (El Mundo)
→Update (08.08.2026): Does Sánchez use his domestic policy towards Italy? (El Mundo)
→Update (08.08.2026): Nationalism spreads across Europe (La Repubblica)
→Update (08.08.2026): Human rights groups expect more deaths (ZEIT)
→Update (08.08.2026): EU urges platforms to act (DW)
→Update (07.08.2026): Ceuta tests European solidarity (The Brussels Times)
→Update (07.08.2026): Spain imposes checks on Italy (RFI)
→Update (06.08.2026): EU can’t depend on neighbours for border control, migration chief says (POLITICO)
→Update (06.08.2026): Rightwingers attack Spanish ministers for skipping EU meeting on Ceuta in European Parliament (Euractiv)
→Update (06.08.2026): Spain warns of new influx (Euractiv)
→Update (06.08.2026): Analysis/Opinion: Ceuta reveals migration policies hypocrisies and far-right-fuelled fears (PubAffairs Bruxelles)
→Update (04.08.2026): Migration expert Gerald Knaus on populism, disinformation, the power of images, and solutions about preserving control over migration and guaranteeing Human Rights (The Rest Is Politics)
→Update (04.08.2026): Ceuta demands lasting solutions (Diario de Cádiz)
→Update (04.08.2026): EU calls borders “shared responsibility” (DW)
→Update (04.08.2026): Morocco says it warned Spain after court ruling on migration (Euronews)
→Update (04.08.2026): EPP frames Ceuta crisis as a threat to European sovereignty (La Vanguardia)
→Update (04.08.2026): Rome and Madrid Clash Over Ceuta Migration (ESdiario)
→Update (04.08.2026): Ceuta under pressure from growing child migration (ZEIT)
→Update (03.08.2026): Luxembourg backs Spain's Ceuta response (100,7)
→Update (03.08.2026): Von der Leyen demands tighter border checks (Euronews)
→Update (03.08.2026): Spain seeks EU solidarity (Cadena SER)
→Update (03.08.2026): Morocco blames Ceuta migration influx on social media and human trafficking (New York Post)
→Update (02.08.2026): Death toll from migrant rush into Spanish enclave rises to 72, Morocco speaks of 11 deaths (Reuters)
→Update (02.08.2026): How Spain's migrant crisis created a political storm - whipped up by social media (BBC)
→Update (01.08.2026): The Spanish prime minister accuses EU partners of taking “selfish” and “unlawful” stances (Politico EU)
→Update (01.08.2026): According to authorities, approximately 50,000 migrants have returned to Morocco (Zeit, Reuters)
→Update (31.07.2026): Europe's solidarity questioned (ECFR)
→Update (31.07.2026): 57 migrants die in border rush (Reuters)
→Update (31.07.2026): Gerald Knaus, chair of the European Stability Initiative, a think tank focused on EU enlargement and integration, defends Spain over the Ceuta migration crisis and asks critically about Morocco's part in this (Channel 4)
→Update (31.07.2026): Andy Burnham speaks of a 'concerning situation' of Ceuta's migrants (Sky News UK)
→Update (31.07.2026): Migrants in Ceuta cannot move to other countries, EU says (Euronews)
→Update (31.07.2026): Von der Leyen calls Ceuta migration crisis 'unacceptable' and demands 'swift' returns (SUR in English)
→Update (31.07.2026): European leaders turn on Spain's Sánchez over Ceuta migrant crisis (Euractiv)
→Update (31.07.2026): Ceuta calls for national emergency (Euro Weekly News, SUR in English)
→Update (30.07.2026, 31.07.2026 ): Italy and Denmark call for Schengen closure to Spain, considering the case as a threat to national security (Euronews, Euractiv)
→Update (30.07.2026): Spain mobilises troops to Ceuta (Euronews)
→30.07.2026
→Spanish authorities increased border surveillance and rescue operations
→The incident highlights persistent migration pressures at the EU's southern border
→The crossings are likely to intensify debate over EU migration policy
→Source: Euronews
→Transparency Note: Use of AI
→Here is a briefing by ERA about the topic
