Politico Europe
January 2026
Starmer piles pressure on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to answer Epstein questions in US
But yes, in terms of testifying, I have always said anybody who has got information should be prepared to share that information in whatever form they are asked to do that because you can’t be victim-centered if you’re not prepared to do that,
I have always approached this question with the victims of Epstein in mind. Epstein’s victims have to be the first priority,
That was quick! How are you? Good to be free?”
As for whether there should be an apology, that’s a matter for Andrew,
Iran’s president blames US, Israel and Europe for fueling violent protests
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday accused the U.S., Israel and Europe of exploiting Iran’s economic crisis to incite unrest and “tear the nation apart,” following nationwide protests over soaring inflation and rising living costs
Everyone knows that the issue was not just a social protest,
The EU already has sweeping sanctions in place on Iran — on those responsible for human rights abuses, nuclear proliferation activities and Tehran’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine — and I am prepared to propose additional sanctions in response to the regime’s brutal repression of protesters,
EPP urges EU to gear up for shifts in global balance of power
The new Dutch government has big plans. Here are 5 things to know.
When you look at the plans that are on the table right now as a whole, it looks more likely that the decisive support will come from the far right,
We’re preventing a huge explosion of the health care budget, which creates room to invest in defense and national security,
Ultimately, we see relatively little of D66’s progressive agenda reflected in the agreement,
The Netherlands is at the forefront of building a European pillar within NATO,
Today we’re embarking on a new course,
Member states are primarily responsible for their own budgets,
No World Cup boycott (for now), says Germany’s football association
The World Cup is one of Trump’s prestige projects, and the U.S. president maintains close ties to Gianni Infantino, president of the world football governing body FIFA
A boycott of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada is currently not under consideration... We believe in the unifying power of sport and in the global impact that a football World Cup can have. Our goal is to strengthen this positive force — not to prevent it,
The world stands still because the World Cup and football has really an impact on the lives, on the moods of people like [nothing] else. There is nothing anywhere close to what football does. It changes the mood not just of people, but of countries.”
The DFB Executive Committee agrees that debates on sports policy should be conducted internally and not in public,
Merz plays down Weber’s idea of a European peacekeeping army in Ukraine
We must focus on the tasks at hand right now,
We are not ruling anything out in principle.“... We are in dialogue. We are in discussion.”
Achieving treaty changes in this European Union of 27 is a rather difficult task,... I advocate that we first and foremost concentrate on the tasks that are now on the table.”
Starmer vows to take UK deeper into EU single market
Seemingly buoyed by a positive reception and a smaller than anticipated backlash, Starmer is now doubling down on his Brexit reset
I think the relationship with the EU and every summit should be iterative. We should be seeking to go further,
And it will be a visa-led scheme. All of our schemes are similar to that. We are negotiating,
Germany’s industrial engine sputters as Bosch axes 20,000 jobs
German industrial giant Bosch on Friday confirmed plans to cut 20,000 jobs after profits nearly halved last year, underlining the mounting strain on Germany’s once-dominant manufacturing sector and increasing the pressure on politicians in Berlin to find a solution
Economic reality is also reflected in our results,
New Dutch government to push for EU social media ban for under-15s
Incoming Dutch coalition floats European version of ‘Five Eyes’
5 things we learned following Keir Starmer around China all week
One touches the leg and thinks it’s a pillow, another feels the belly and thinks it’s a wall. Too often this reflects how China is seen.”
This trip is just the start.”
There’s this huge blind spot in the middle of Europe,
We’ve been really clear [with China] about which sectors are accessible,
This trip to China seems to be based upon the notion that China is part of the solution to our economic woes. It’s not rooted in any evidence. China hasn’t done foreign direct investment in any serious way since 2017. It’s dropped off a cliff.”
China lifts sanctions on British MPs as part of Starmer visit
I did raise it. And the response of the Chinese as a result of our discussions is that the restrictions no longer apply.... And the... That rather vindicates my approach because that's only because we're here, that we have had the engagement.”
We would reject any deal that prioritises our personal convenience over the pursuit of justice for the Uyghur people,
Berlin’s also got an ice* problem
Under-pressure Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner on Thursday asked the city’s House of Representatives to allow the use of de-icing salt on sidewalks
Now even Greens … are making fun of the fact that Berlin is incapable of clearing ice from the roads. And no, it’s not some surprising weather crisis: it’s called winter.”
That the coalition is arguing about the use of road salt in this situation is a mockery. Instead of appealing to party members on Instagram, the governing mayor should convene an emergency summit with the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW), civil protection authorities, the city sanitation service (BSR) and the fire brigade,
We are currently experiencing extreme weather conditions in Berlin — with freezing rain and persistent frost,... I appeal to the House of Representatives to make the use of de-icing salt in Berlin possible in exceptional cases.”
Zelenskyy says Trump’s weeklong truce isn’t officially agreed, but is an ‘opportunity’
This is an initiative of the American side and personally of the president of the United States. We can regard it as an opportunity rather than an agreement. Whether it will work or not, and what exactly will work, I cannot say at this point. There is no ceasefire. There is no official agreement on a ceasefire, as is typically reached during negotiations,
If Russia does not strike our energy infrastructure — generation facilities or any other energy assets — we will not strike theirs,
At that time, Russia’s responses to such de-escalation steps were negative. We will see how it unfolds now,
The Americans said they want to raise the issue of de-escalation, with both sides demonstrating certain steps toward refraining from the use of long-range capabilities to create more space for diplomacy,
We have spoken many times. President Vladimir Putin has often reminded us that a truce, which is again being sought by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, at least for 60 days, and preferably longer, is unacceptable for us,
Eurozone growth better than expected at end of 2025
The eurozone economy held up well at the end of 2025, with three of the region’s four largest countries growing by more than expected
Rob Jetten’s new Dutch government wants to save NATO
You will have a government that will look at the world as it is and not as it wishes it to be,
The EU was built from a premise of economic cooperation in order to prevent war and therefore never had a security-oriented structure or aim,
Even if you don’t want to do it [increase defense spending] for NATO, even if you don’t want to do it to please the U.S., you should do it for your own interests. And that’s why I am happy that our own coalition will indeed ensure that we reach the targets for defense spending.”
There’s many other areas around the world that we need to work together in order to achieve something. So whether or not there is trust, I think that is something we need to work on, but we need each other.”
President Xi vs the Tories
Trump says Starmer’s China reset ‘very dangerous’
It’s very dangerous for them to do that,
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The relationship we have with the U.S. is one of the closest relationships we hold, on defense, security, intelligence and also on trade and lots of areas,
We had a very successful state visit from President Trump last year which led to hundreds of billions of pounds being invested in each other’s economies so it’s a very important relationship... It doesn’t make sense to stick our head in the ground and bury in the sand when it comes to China,
Farage’s lobbying of Trump on Chagos deal riles UK government
The highly unusual gambit has triggered anger inside the Foreign Office, the Ministry of Defence and beyond
It is highly unusual for a U.K. political party to be lobbying a foreign government over a U.K. foreign policy decision,
Nigel Farage has shown time and time again that he is not on the side of the British people.”
Failing to understand the national security implications of this, while pursuing a deliberate political campaign for individual interests, is incredibly dangerous,
Ambassador Stephens is in constant contact with U.K. policymakers across the spectrum on a full range of issues,
We’re having daily conversations with American officials. Ultimately we will continue to communicate with our American partners and we’ve always said this deal won’t go through if the U.S. doesn’t agree — that still is a fundamental.”
Donald Trump and Nicki Minaj, a marriage made in cash
The rapper, born in Trinidad and Tobago, declared herself Trump’s “number one fan” on Wednesday, showing off her “gold card” visa, which offers applicants residency and a path to U.S. citizenship for the sum of $1 million — a relative bargain compared to the $1 billion asking price to join Trump’s Board of Peace
I’m anti-them.”
Inside the unlikely firing of veteran EU powerbroker Henrik Hololei
It’s almost three years to the day since revelations of Mr. Hololei’s impropriety broke,
After nearly 22 years at the Commission, I am obviously disappointed,
Good to see there is an actual reaction,
The feeling is they’re making an example of him,
Nuuk mayor blasts comedian for trying to raise US flag in Greenland
Greenland is currently under intense international attention during a time of genuine anxiety and uncertainty for our population,
You’re right,... I wanted to make a deal, but it didn’t work. I’m sorry.”
How the EU’s internal resistance on Iran finally cracked
Keir Starmer’s softly-softly approach ushers in new era of UK-China trade relations
I think the prime minister has been clear that a reset relationship with China, that it’s no longer in an ice age, is beneficial to British people and British business.”
China is very complicated. You have to be on the ground to really assess opportunities,
This isn’t a question of a one-and-done summit with China,
Xi’s language has been warmer and more expansive, signaling interest in stabilizing the relationship, but the substance on offer so far remains tightly defined.”
From a business standpoint, it will reduce a lot of friction,
French energy giant relaunches $20B massacre-linked gas project in Mozambique
In December 2025, the British and Dutch governments withdrew some $2.2 billion in support for the project, with the Dutch releasing a report that corroborated many elements of the POLITICO investigation
I am delighted to announce the full restart of the Mozambique LNG project … The force majeure is over,
Companies and their executives are not neutral actors when they operate in conflict zones,
You will see a massive ramp-up in activity in coming months … a first offshore vessel has already been mobilized,