Author: Iris East

EUROPE MORNING BRIEFING

Emmanuel Macron is set to address France’s nuclear deterrent strategy this morning, outlining its relationship with NATO and European security. This follows increased interest in national defence within the European Union amid evolving geopolitical challenges.

EUROPE MORNING BRIEFING

This morning, an Irish MEP suggested that the European Union should pause the EU–US trade deal amid uncertainties regarding Washington’s new tariffs and their legal compliance.

EUROPE MORNING BRIEFING

This morning, a new watchdog study reveals that the European Union’s Clean Industrial Deal has faced significant lobbyist influence, with over 750 meetings documented in the last year, raising concerns over industrial compliance and environmental standards.

EUROPE MORNING BRIEFING

Overnight, doctored videos featuring celebrities urging European leaders to pressure Ukraine for peace on Russian terms circulated on social media. The campaign has been linked to a broader influence operation targeting Ukraine.

Media Lens: Trump’s State of the Union: Demands for Iran Plans and Live Updates Story focus: Dems demand Trump disclose Iran plans before SOTU. Primary entity: Trump Region: United States Democrats are urging Trump to disclose his plans regarding Iran in anticipation of the State of the Union address. Tensions surrounding tariffs and national security are contributing to the heightened scrutiny of the president’s upcoming speech. Quick links: What has happened | Confirmed details | What remains unclear | One story, four angles | What’s missing | Related links What has happened Ahead of the State of the Union address,…

Senior Russian security official Dimitry Medvedev threatened nuclear strikes against Kyiv, Paris, and London, asserting unfounded claims that France and the UK were preparing to provide Ukraine with nuclear weapons. This statement comes as Ukraine marks the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

EU Trade Chief Maroš Šefčovič is urging MEPs to advance the EU-US trade deal, following a US request to uphold commitments. The US Supreme Court’s recent ruling on Trump’s tariffs raises concerns about the 2025 agreement’s validity.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó accused Ukraine of lying and reprimanded Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas during a tense meeting where Budapest exercised its veto powers twice, escalating tensions among EU member states supportive of Ukraine amid ongoing conflicts.

Russia anticipated that Kyiv would collapse within three days, with military experts convinced it was only a matter of time. However, as of 2026, Ukraine remains resilient against the ongoing conflict.

Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski condemned Hungary’s obstruction of EU support for Ukraine, describing it as an “escalation” benefitting Kremlin interests. He called for punitive measures amid concerns over EU unity and security as the situation evolves.