Putin likely to strike NATO nations next, Ukraine leader warns

The Ukrainian president says he wonโ€™t accept a peace agreement if his country is iced out of talks.

As US recedes, NATO scrambles to find a new leader

The Brits, French, and Germans all have their own ideas about how to defend the continent with Americaโ€™s plans in flux.ย 

Trumpโ€™s uphill battle to make NATO allies hit his mega defense spending target

There is broad agreement to boost defense spending โ€” but the U.S. president’s call for 5 percent of GDP is too much for most European countries.

Inside the new plan to seize Russiaโ€™s shadow fleet

European countries are pushing for new powers to squeeze Moscowโ€™s shadow fleet after a spate of incidents in the Baltic Sea.

Baltic states successfully plug in to European power grid

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania disconnected from Russia’s power network on Saturday morning and connected to the European grid on Sunday in a historic move.

Baltics disconnect from Russian grid: Decrease โ€˜vulnerability to Russian blackmailโ€™

Three Baltic nations โ€“ Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania โ€“ disconnected from Moscow’s power grid to join the EU’s electricity network in an attempt to decrease their “vulnerability … to Russian blackmail”, FRANCE 24 Chief Foreign Editor Rob Parsons said…

Baltic nations switch from Russian power grid to EU network

The three Baltic states on Saturday cut ties with Russia’s power grid to join the European Union’s network, the culmination of a years-long process that gained urgency with Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuaniaย โ€“ all former Sovie…

Baltic states cut ties to Russian power grid in historic switch away from Moscow

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania disconnected their electricity systems from Russia’s power grid on Saturday, the region’s operators said, part of a plan designed to integrate the countries more closely with the EU and boost security.ย 

Baltic countries sever final power ties with Russia

Disconnecting from the Soviet-era grid faced an intimidation campaign โ€” but it’s Moscow that could be left in a precarious position.

Lithuania hopes to woo Trump with its anti-China stance

The country aims to curry favor and keep the U.S. president committed to transatlantic defense by being the first to catch the mood in Washington.

Poland spends big on arms to stay friends with Trump

Defense Minister Wล‚adysล‚aw Kosiniak-Kamysz warns that Europe must spend more “to retain the presence of the Americans in Europe.”

Lithuanian defense minister calls for โ€˜balanceโ€™ between US and European arms dealsย ย 

Higher defense spending will not be financed by cutting the welfare state but by combining national and EU money, Dovilฤ— ล akalienฤ— told POLITICO.

Fact-checkers under fire as Big Tech pulls back

Meta’s move to ditch fact-checking put a target on the back of fake-news fighters, they warn.

Lithuania and Estonia bow to Trump pressure and pledge 5% on defence spending

EU states to boost military plans as they deal with Russiaโ€™s invasion of Ukraine

Slovakia leads EU charge to rein in supermarket power

Slovakiaโ€™s right-wing government is spearheading a push to strengthen EU rules on unfair trading practices, saying the current reforms donโ€™t go far enough.

As Trump arrives, Macron hints NATO spending target is too low

The French president warned Europe should prepare for a U.S. withdrawal from Europe.

EU industry chief warns Trump: Trade war wonโ€™t let us hit defense spending target

Stรฉphane Sรฉjournรฉ said Europe needs to invest more in defense but that it would be impossible to do so amid a trade war.

NATO to deploy drones, aircraft to counter wave of Baltic Sea cable attacks

Baltic Sea country leaders are meeting in Helsinki after a series of incidents involving energy and data cables.

Zelenskyy accuses Slovak PM Fico of helping Putin weaken Europe

Fico wants to help Putin earn money to fund the war and weaken Europe, says Zelenskyy.

UK mulls troops in Ukraine for training mission

UK Defense Sec John Healey says military training should be a “better fit for what the Ukrainians need” โ€“ and announces fresh ยฃ225 million in support.

Britainโ€™s Baltic defense club falls flat on military spending pledge

U.K. leader Keir Starmer says talking about extra defense spending is tough at the moment.

Take to streets to overthrow Lukashenko during election, Belarusโ€™ opposition leader urges

โ€œI really want people to … be on the streets and dismantle this regime,โ€ Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said.

48 detained in crackdown on pro-EU protests in Georgia

Arrests follow mass protests of Caucasus countryโ€™s decision to stall EU accession talks.

EUโ€™s Russia sanctions deal collapses over business loophole spat

Latvia and Lithuania vetoed the package, objecting to the extension of a carveout that lets EU firms continue operating in Russia.

Ukraine sanctions Georgian officials over violent crackdown on pro-EU protests

Sanctions target “the part of the Georgian government that is surrendering Georgia to Putin,โ€ Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said.

Ukraine war briefing: Nato lauds Blinken on final Brussels turn

US secretary of state arrives with another $725m in US arms for Ukraine; Russia complains of Ukrainian help to Syria rebels. What we know on day 1,015Antony Blinken, the outgoing US secretary of state, paid his final visit to Nato headquarters in Bruss…

Porcelain War review โ€“ beautifully rendered portrait of Ukraineโ€™s artist-warriors

Documentary following a ceramicist and a painter who have joined the battle to defend against the Russian invasion is perhaps a little too picturesqueCompared with the award-winning The Earth Is As Blue As an Orange from 2020, which charted a Ukrainian…

Finnish telecom company hit by cable outage

Authorities are investigating the cause of the incident.

Baltic countries sanction Georgian officials after violence against protestors

New EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas says democratic backsliding in Georgia “will have direct consequences.”

Unprecedented protests sweep Georgia after government scraps EU bid

The European Parliament has called for elections to be rerun amid claims of irregularities and intimidation.

Baltics Sea region PMs meet to discuss regional security ahead of Trumpโ€™s return

The summit comes at a pivotal time for Europe, which is facing major strategic uncertainties, particularly over support for Ukraine.

Moment DHL cargo plane crashes near airport in Lithuania โ€“ย video

Footage shows the moment a DHL cargo plane crashed as it came in to land at Vilnius airport in Lithuania. According to officials, one person was killed and three others on the aircraft were injured. Rescue services said the plane hit the ground and sli…

Lithuanians protest as party leader accused of antisemitism prepares to join government

The controversial coalition sparks criticism at home and abroad.

Why exporting endangered eels to Russia makes sense | Letter

The plan to transport millions of River Severn elvers to the pristine Vistula and Curonian lagoons is a viable way to conserve the species, says Peter WoodMillions of critically endangered eels have indeed been exported from Britain to Russia this year…

Lithuaniaโ€™s commissioner hearing: Andrius Kubilius on defense and space โ€” live updates

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is pushing the EU to move into defense.

Ukraine war briefing: Up to 11,000 North Koreans in Kursk, say Pentagon and Zelenskyy

Europe not doing enough about foreign power taking part, says Ukrainian president; Sloviansk woman gets 15 yearsโ€™ jail for treasonous aid to Russians. What we know on day 986See all our coverage of the Russia-Ukraine warUkraine believes 11,000 North Ko…

Europeโ€™s Trumpian nightmare

The return of the disrupter-in-chief would further destabilize an already weakened continent.

Sergey Lavrov to visit Malta next month, Russian media reports

Russia’s foreign minister is expected to travel to Malta for an OSCE meeting in December.

Vatican and Israel implicated in Italian hacking scandal, leaked files reveal

Police wiretaps show the sprawling global nature of an investigation into Milan-based private detectives and their clients.

Lithuaniaโ€™s election-winning Social Democrats designate deputy leader as PM

Social Democrat leader Vilija Blinkeviciute told reporters on Wednesday Paluckas was “best prepared” for the top job as she had opted not to take it on for health reasons.

Lithuanian election winner rejects PM role

Vilija Blinkeviฤiลซtฤ— suggested that a former top Social Democrat would be better suited to lead the government.

On Sunday, she won Lithuaniaโ€™s election. Now, sheโ€™s not sure she wants the job.

The leader of the Social Democrats will announce her decision on Wednesday.

Lithuaniaโ€™s top diplomat Landsbergis to step away from politics after election defeat

The FM has vocally supported Ukraine’s resistance against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion.

Lithuanian election winner promises to bolster defence to counter Russia threat

Social Democrat leader says spending should be no less than partyโ€™s election manifesto pledge of 3.5% of GDPLithuaniaโ€™s opposition Social Democratic party has promised to spend โ€œas much money as is neededโ€ on security and defence to counter a potential…

Centre-left opposition leads in Lithuania election

Any power shift is expected to leave intact the NATO and EU member’s strong support for Ukraine amid security concerns about neighbouring Russia.

Lithuaniaโ€™s Social Democrats win parliamentary election

Opposition victory is unlikely to change the country’s pro-West and anti-Russia direction, however.

Georgia president calls for protests as opposition cries foul over election

Uncertainty grips Georgia after a pivotal election handed a victory to the increasingly anti-Western ruling party.

Lithuania votes in runoff election amid security concerns about Russia, center-left opposition leading

The vote is likely to replace the ruling conservatives with a center-left coalition, while leaving intact the NATO and EU member’s strong support for Ukraine.

Lithuania opposition seeks to cement election win in run-off votes

If the left-leaning Social Democrats (SD) succeed in forming a government, they are expected to maintain Lithuania’s hawkish stance against Russia and hefty defence spending.

Zelenskyy rejects UN chiefโ€™s visit over meeting with Putin

Guterres not welcome in Kyiv after he shook hands with the Russian president.

North Korean troop claims revive talk of EU โ€˜boots on the groundโ€™ in Ukraine

Lithuaniaโ€™s foreign minister tells POLITICO itโ€™s time to revisit the idea of deploying EU troops to support Kyiv.

EU faces migration rebellion as Poland vows to block asylum-seekers

More and more member countries are clashing with Brussels over how to treat incoming migrants.

MEP aims to lead Lithuania as Social Democrats win first election round

Would-be PM Vilija Blinkeviฤiลซtฤ— has already begun coalition talks with pro-EU parties.

โ€˜Safe countries of originโ€™ in asylum law: the CJEU first interprets the concept

 Professor Steve Peers, Royal
Holloway University of London

Photo credit: viewsridge,
via Wikimedia
commons

 

Introduction

Along with judgments on Afghan
women asylum seekers (discussed here)
and the status of Turkey as a โ€˜safe third coun…

Lithuaniaโ€™s centre-left opposition says it will try to form government

Early results showed the Social Democrats winning the popular vote of the election, which was dominated by concerns over living costs and potential threats from neighbouring Russia.

Lithuania to pick new parliament in election clouded by economic angst, Russia fears

Opinion polls show the main opposition Social Democrats led by Vilija Blinkeviciute ahead in the race with about 18% support.

Zelenskyyโ€™s 5 asks on his Europe tour (and the odds heโ€™ll get them)

The Ukrainian president is racing across Europe to lock in support for Kyiv. We rate his chances of success.

Taiwanโ€™s ex-President Tsai will visit Brussels next week

Her trip comes amid heightened tensions between Beijing and Taipei, while the EU-China trade war flares up.

EUโ€™s top court scraps controversial truck return obligation

The rulings ends a very bitter dispute that split EU member countries.

Europe has a real defense commissionerย โ€” just not one appointed by Ursula von der Leyen

The boss of Germany’s largest arms producer is a power player in Europe’s scramble to rearm.

How a law on truck movements divided the EU

The EU’s top court delivers a ruling on an exceptionally fierce legal fight this week.

Russiaโ€™s exiled opposition rocked by claims over hammer attack on Navalny ally

Accusations that another Kremlin critic ordered attack on Leonid Volkov throws scattered opposition into further disarrayWhen Leonid Volkov, a longtime partner of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, was brutally attacked with a hammer ou…

Leaked documents: Which EU commissioners have the most property, money and influence

POLITICO has reviewed the declarations of interest of every European Commission nominee.

Lithuania pushes for ICC investigation of Belarusian Lukashenko

Lithuania has called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate alleged crimes against humanity by the regime of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, including forced deportations, persecution of opposition supporters and inhumane t…

Mission Possible: Working together to reshape the future of cancer care

Q&A with Greg Rossi, Senior VP, Head of Oncology Europe and Canada at AstraZeneca.

Europe launches its first space commissioner straight into a budget scrap

Despite not having much experience on space, Andrius Kubilius is tipped to be running EU rocket and satellite policy.

Von der Leyenโ€™s first 100 days: What sheโ€™s promised, what it means and what sheโ€™ll really deliver

The Commission president is promising to move quickly with far-reaching reforms. How credible is her plan?

IMF axes controversial Russia visit after outrage from European capitals

Kyiv’s allies said the trip would have been a “propaganda win” for Vladimir Putin.

The winners and losers of the new European Commission

What the portfolios tell us about the EUโ€™s power dynamics.

Meet the commissioners: Class of 2024

Everything you need to know about Ursula von der Leyen’s team for her second term.

Ursula von der Leyenโ€™s new European Commission

Commission president hands out the top jobs in her new team.

Lithuaniaโ€™s Kubilius to face mammoth task as EUโ€™s new defence commissioner

Lithuania’s Andrius Kubilius was announced on Tuesday (17 September) as the bloc’s new defence and space commissioner, which is considered central to the EU’s ambitions to rearm faced with the threat from Russia.

Lithuaniaโ€™s Andrius Kubiliusย named defense and space commissioner

He will work on developing the European defense union and boosting our investment in capacity,โ€ said Ursula von der Leyen.

Lithuanian defence minister urges 4% of GDP for military expenditures

Lithuanian Defence Minister Laurynas Kasฤiลซnas has called for an increase in defence spending to 4% of GDP, aiming to procure long-range air defence systems and other military equipment.

Lithuanian artists affirm identity, Western links with major cultural festival in France

With the shadow of the war in Ukraine to its east, the Baltic nation is seeking to reaffirm its ties with the West. The Season of Lithuania in France, running from September to December, will be an opportunity for Lithuania to anchor itself in the Wes…

European governments criticize IMF trip to Russia as โ€˜propaganda winโ€™ for Putin

Visit will “create substantial reputational risks,” countries say.

The great Commission puzzle: Who we think will get each portfolio

Ursula von der Leyen is about to hand out key jobs in her team. Hereโ€™s POLITICOโ€™s version of the next Commission.

Poland wants 3 Belarusians behind bars for Ryanair diversion

The Ryanair flight was forced to to land in Minsk, where opposition blogger Raman Pratasevich and his partner were arrested.

Ukraine war briefing: Kyiv launches drone strike on Moscow and surrounding regions, Russia says

Drone flying towards Russian capital destroyed, Moscow mayor says; Zelenskiy presses US to allow deeper strikes into Russia. What we know on day 921See all our Russia-Ukraine war coverageUkraine launched an overnight drone attack targeting Moscow and s…

Hungary-EU blowup overshadows key meeting on Ukraine

Top Brussels diplomat Josep Borrell’s comments on Ukraine and the Middle East anger Budapest.

Eurozone ministersโ€™ meeting in doubt over Hungaryโ€™s approach to Putin

Eurogroup chief Paschal Donohoe will make a decision by next week, officials tell POLITICO.

Eurozone ministersโ€™ meeting in doubt over Hungaryโ€™s approach to Putin

Eurogroup chief Paschal Donohoe will make a decision by next week, officials tell POLITICO.

Eurozone ministersโ€™ meeting in doubt over Hungaryโ€™s approach to Putin

Eurogroup chief Paschal Donohoe will make a decision by next week, officials tell POLITICO.

Eurozone ministersโ€™ meeting in doubt over Hungaryโ€™s approach to Putin

Eurogroup chief Paschal Donohoe will make a decision by next week, officials tell POLITICO.

EU mulls training soldiers inside Ukraine

The request comes from Kyiv; many EU countries are wary of the risks.

Latviaโ€™s defense minister wants to conscript women by 2028

Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine prompts some EU countries to rethink mandatory military service.

Baltic independence hero says West lacks resolve against Putin

35-years after a seminal protest for freedom from the Soviets, an organizer accuses the West โ€” particularly Germany โ€” of โ€œsuicidal naivety.โ€