Jorge Liboreiro

Some really striking numbers in this new survey showing the flip in European public opinion about America.

But bear in mind this is only Western Europe. In Eastern Europe, it has been harder to take the blinders off peoples' eyes.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...

EU ambassadors will have the first discussion on the 20th package of sanctions on Monday afternoon.

The tool would prohibit the sale of EU-made "computer numerical control machines and radios to jurisdictions where there is a high risk that these products are re-exported to Russia."

Also very interesting: after years of avoiding the activation of the Anti-Circumvention Tool, which has remained untouched since June 2023 (!!!), Brussels is finally ready to pull the trigger.

In practice, this means the price cap would be rendered obsolete within EU jurisdiction.

This is why von der Leyen is quick to note: "We propose to enact this full ban in coordination with like-minded partners after a decision of the G7."

For context: until now, the EU has allowed the servicing of Russia's oil tankers *only if* they complied with the G7 price cap, now at $44.10 per barrel.

The EU wants to move to the next stage: a complete ban on services, regardless of whether they sell above or below the cap. It is a major step.

EU proposes new sanctions to weaken Russia's oil and gas revenues The 20th package of EU sanctions against Russia targets oil, gas, the "shadow fleet", banking, cryptocurrency, metals and minerals. #EuropeNews

🚨 Just in: the European Commission has proposed a new round of sanctions against Russia, with a full ban on maritime services and the first-ever activation of the Anti-Circumvention Tool.

All details here.

The Commission says the package should land "rather soon". This evening? This weekend? On Monday?

It's anyone's guess now.

EU delays new sanctions on Russia as it seeks G7 input on price cap The price cap on Russian oil could drastically change if the EU moves ahead with a full ban on maritime services, as proposed by Finland and Sweden. #EuropeNews

EU countries are eagerly expecting the European Commission's proposal for a new round of sanctions against Russia. Coordination with the G7 is key due to the potential effects on the price cap.

Here's where we are now.

EU finds TikTok's addictive design breaches Digital Services Act The European Commission found that TikTok has not sufficiently limited addictive features such as infinite scroll, which encourages compulsive behaviour.

Just in: TikTok's addictive design breaches the Digital Services Act and fails to adequately protect users, the European Commission said in preliminary findings.

The app's infinite scroll is at the core of the issue.

Sergei Lavrov reacts to Bonne’s secret trip to Moscow: “Macron, about two weeks ago, said again, ‘I'm going to call Putin one day.’ That's not serious, you know, it's a kind of pathetic diplomacy.”

Quite a preview for the reengagement.

Ursula von der Leyen discussing European competitiveness with Emmanuel Macon, the prime opponent of the Mercosur deal, which she argues is fundamental for competitiveness.

Telegram founder slams Spain PM over under-16s social media ban Telegram founder Pavel Durov on Wednesday joined fellow tech tycoon Elon Musk in slamming Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez over his "dangerous" plan to ban social media for under-16s.

Tech tensions continue rising: the Spanish government has accused Pavel Durov of using his "unrestricted control" of Telegram to send a message full of "lies and illegitimate attacks" to all Spanish users of the app.

"It's the first time in the history of the country," Spanish sources say.

Guerre en Ukraine : le voyage discret du conseiller diplomatique d'Emmanuel Macron à Moscou Emmanuel Bonne s'est rendu dans la capitale russe pour négocier directement avec le Kremlin. Une coopération à bas bruit se poursuit entre la France et la Russie.

EU envoy? What EU envoy?

Emmanuel Macron sent his diplomatic advisor, Emmanuel Bonne, to Moscow to "directly negotiate" with the Kremlin, according to @lexpress.fr.

The trip was made "discreetly" on Tuesday.

Key detail: Socialists, Liberals and Greens are pushing for a new clause that could suspend the EU-US trade deal in the event of new threats to the territorial sovereignty of Greenland.

European Parliament unfreezes EU-US trade deal EU lawmakers on Wednesday agreed to resume enforcement of the EU-US trade deal. Talks will continue over how the agreement could be suspended in the future, but MEPs could vote on the deal as early as...

After the Greenland crisis, the European Parliament has decided to unfreeze the ratification process of the EU-US trade deal. Final vote is likely to take place in March, @peggycorlin.bsky.social and Vincenzo report.

Well, of course!

EU countries seal deal on €90bm loan for Ukraine funded by joint debt Under the loan, Ukraine will receive €30 billion to support its budgetary needs and €60 billion to purchase weapons and ammunition. #EuropeNews

Full story: We have a deal on the €90 billion loan for Ukraine, funded through joint debt.

EU ambassadors have reached a deal on the legal texts to provide Ukraine with a €90 billion loan funded by joint debt. €30 billion will be allocated for financial support, and €60 billion for military aid.

Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic will be exempt from the loan.

While the Commission is OK with member states trying to ban social media for minors, it's drawing a clear line on the idea of making social media executives accountable for failing to police their platforms.

The strong response suggests Brussels is willing to launch legal action if necessary.

Brussels cautions states against overstepping with social media rules A European Commission spokesperson has said that additional national obligations on social media platforms are a “no go” under the bloc's own sweeping digital rulebook. #EuropeToday

The European Commission warns Spain: imposing additional obligations on digital platforms falls under the Digital Services Act, not national law.

"There is no need to step on the shoes of the DSA," a Commission spokesperson said.

@maredgwyn.bsky.social reports.

Ruptures in China’s Leadership Could Be Due to Paranoia and Power Plays

US intelligence analysts have concluded in assessments in recent years that Xi Jinping has an extreme level of paranoia, @nytimes.com reports.

The Czech Republic also wants a special envoy: "While negotiations are currently driven by the US, Russia and Ukraine, it makes sense to think about a European role in the longer term to remain a relevant participant in peace negotiations," the foreign ministry tells me.

Very interesting to see Austria disagree with Germany on such a crucial issue.

“That is why I call for an EU chief negotiator with a strong mandate to represent Europe’s position and red lines. We need a single European line, not 27 national tracks.”

Austria calls for an EU negotiator to lead the diplomatic reengagement with Russia.

“While Europe’s security is being discussed, Europe is not at the table. Europe is strongest when it speaks with one voice,” Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger tells me.

Russia launches massive strike on Ukraine day before US-brokered talks Russia launches one of its biggest airstrikes on Ukraine, hitting power plants and homes as Zelenskyy urges more air defence before Abu Dhabi talks.

Russia fired around 450 drones and 70 missiles at Ukraine overnight, just days after Donald Trump said Vladimir Putin had promised him a one-week truce due to sub-zero winter temperatures.

Spain to ban social media platforms for children under 16 "We will protect them from the digital Wild West," Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said.

Just in: Spain intends to ban social media platforms for children under the age of 16.

"Social media has become a failed state, where laws are ignored, and crimes are tolerated," Pedro Sánchez said. "We will protect them from the digital Wild West."

EU-China relations enter 'do no harm' phase as Trump's shadow looms Last year, the EU and China flirted with a diplomatic reset, which collapsed after Beijing imposed broad restrictions on rare earth exports. That bruising experience has set the stage for a cautious e...

After last year's failed diplomatic reset and dispute over rare earths, EU-China relations have settled into a "do no harm" phase. Both sides are talking but with low hopes for change.

Looming over are the shockwaves unleashed by Donald Trump's expansive foreign policy.

My long analysis.