The new European Commission has entered its first week in office for a five-year mandate until 2029. From geopolitical tensions to internal challenges such as economic weakness, declining competitiveness and tackling illegal immigration, the EU executive’s new leadership team will have to navigate a tough road ahead.
During a visit to Kyiv on Sunday, the new president of the European Council pledged support for Ukraine on its road to become a member of the European Union, as well as EU financial assistance in the face of Russia’s invasion.
In a video address to the European Parliament, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the efforts of the EU and Ukraine and thanked those who support his country in the face of Russian aggression.
Former US president Donald Trump’s election victory in the United States is sending shivers through Europe, which fears a déjà vu of transatlantic tensions over defence spending and tariffs on EU products sold to the US. What’s at stake for Europe and the EU when Trump returns to the White House?
Former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has become the new Secretary General of NATO. With Russia’s war against Ukraine raging on and Donald Trump’s possible return to the US White House, Rutte faces a tough balancing act between the military alliance’s 32 members and other international partners such as the European Union.