Author: staff

Welcome to the first edition of the Brussels Playbook Podcast! In the debut episode, Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart break down two big questions facing Brussels: How far is the EU willing to go to bring Ukraine into its fold? And can Europe finally get serious about fixing its economy? First, Ukraine and enlargement. EU officials are quietly exploring unconventional options to move Kyiv closer to the bloc — potentially as early as next year — as talk of a possible peace deal grows and uncertainty around the U.S. deepens. Then, competitiveness. Ahead of a closed-door leaders’ retreat later this…

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With more than 21,000 employees across 65 facilities in Europe, U.S.-based RTX is a major player in the European defense sector, building on the region’s technical and manufacturing talent. In addition to direct investment, RTX works with approximately 11,000 suppliers across Europe and spent $8 billion in the European supply chain in 2024 alone. Industrial cooperation brings long-term stability to suppliers, encourages innovation, and anchors high-value industrial capabilities in Europe.” Andres Maz, vice president, Global Government Relations Europe, at RTX For example, in 2025, Pratt & Whitney announced a partnership with Czech company PBS Group to develop a next-generation auxiliary…

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The EU’s idea echoes Emmanuel Macron’s multi-speed Union blueprint, which he has outlined several times since he became French president in 2017. The latest version has been informally dubbed “reverse enlargement,” according to an EU official and two European diplomats, because it effectively brings countries into the bloc at the beginning of the process of meeting membership criteria rather than at the end.  EU officials say the idea is attractive because it would give Kyiv breathing space to finish reforms to its democratic institutions, judiciary and political system while lessening the likelihood it abandons hope of ever joining the bloc and turns its back on…

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One eighth of the world’s estimated 8 million species of plants and animals are threatened with extinction, according to IPBES. Some 75 percent of the Earth’s land surface has already been significantly altered by human actions. If that course doesn’t shift, the report warns, future prosperity is at risk. Markets are failing to adequately price or value biodiversity, such as filtration of pollutants, climate regulation and pollination. “Businesses and other key actors can either lead the way towards a more sustainable global economy or ultimately risk extinction … both of species in nature, but potentially also their own,” said Matt…

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The fresh indictment adds to mounting European concern over alleged Russian hybrid operations — including sabotage, cyberattacks and disinformation — since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Reported Russia-linked arson and serious sabotage incidents across Europe rose to 34 in 2024, up from 12 the previous year and just two in 2022, according to earlier investigations. The Russian Embassy in Berlin did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Moscow has previously denied involvement in similar incidents. Russia often recruits Ukrainians for espionage-related activities. Norway’s security services said on Feb. 6 that they expect Russian intelligence activity to…

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Instead Starmer was cheered and applauded by his own MPs and peers in a private meeting on Monday night. Fighting for his future in 75 minutes, Starmer gave what one supportive MP called “the most passionate speech” of his time in office and took 44 questions, apologizing for the damage caused to his party. It was heartfelt and sincere; in short, he won the room. Yet POLITICO spoke to more than 25 ministers, MPs and officials, all of whom were granted anonymity to give their frank assessments — and the peril is far from over. One frontbencher said it “bought…

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Hundreds of people gathered at the hypersaline shores of Argentina’s Mar Chiquita Lake this Sunday to attempt a new Guinness World Record for the most people floating simultaneously. The event, held as part of the second annual “Festival de la Planchita” in Miramar, seeks to bring together more than 1,941 participants to surpass a milestone set nearly a decade ago. The current record was established in 2017 at Lake Epecuén, another salty lagoon in Argentina, where 1,941 people successfully formed a massive floating chain. To break the record, organizers must coordinate a group of at least 1,942 people to float…

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