WORLD WORLDWIDE EUROPE EU - euobserver daily - Monday 2 February 2026.

 

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Good morning. Here’s a quick look at this week’s agenda: Monday: The week kicks off with an EU-UK partnership council meeting, a trialogue on the critical medicine act, alongside the expected unveiling of a new Russia sanctions package and a €90bn Ukraine aid deal. Tuesday: The high-profile trial of Marius Borg Høiby, son of Norwegian Princess Mette-Marit, begins, with the 29-year-old facing 38 charges, including rape, domestic abuse, and assault. Wednesday: Negotiators in the parliament's trade committee will discuss the US-EU trade deal ratification, while US-Ukraine-Russia peace talks are taking place in Abu Dhabi. Plus, the European Parliament releases its latest Eurobarometer, revealing citizens’ priorities, values, and views on EU institutions. Thursday & beyond: US-Ukraine-Russia peace talks continue, the parliament's budgets committee reviews over 1,000 amendments to the draft 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), ECB decisions, and ongoing preparations for EU leaders’ meetings. For the full agenda and what to watch out for this week, read our weekly agenda. Top story Behind EU’s December asylum relocation pledges: More deal-making, fewer transfers Most commitments made by EU states in December to receive asylum seekers arriving primarily in Italy and Greece are actually alternative forms of support. What else you need to know THIS WEEK: Russian sanctions, Ukrainian loan and US trade deal This week, the EU advances its agenda with new Russia sanctions, a potential deal on the €90bn Ukraine aid package, the EU’s budget amendments, and talks on the US-EU trade deal. Five ways the EU has already appeased Trump Donald Trump has been back in White House for just over a year, and EU has struggled to balance safeguarding its own economic and social interests while maintaining a US relationship it needs to its security. Here are five ways the EU is adjusting to — many would say appeasing — Trump’s agenda. EU backs Morocco’s plan for Western Sahara, as Brussels edges closer to Rabat The autonomy plan, backed by Brussels, would mean local legislative, executive and judicial authorities for Western Sahara elected by its residents, while Rabat would control its sovereignty, as well as defence, foreign affairs and religious affairs Made in India, or Made in Heaven? Winners and losers in this week’s EU-India deal A former EU trade negotiator reflects on the winners and losers in the new EU-India deal. The big question is whether this agreement signifies a tectonic shift in world trade: the world’s two biggest democracies, the second and fourth largest economies, asserting common values in the face of a rogue US and a hostile China? The EU certainly likes to think so. Listen:  Can we, Europeans, do something to stop the bloodshed in Iran? The EU has just decided to tag the Islamic Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organisation. What does that actually mean? In case you missed it Far-right MEP tries to silence EUobserver over election-monitoring ban French far-right MEP Virginie Joron claimed she was never punished for rogue election monitoring, but the EU Parliament confirmed she was lying, amid a wider crackdown. Leaked EU paper envisions dumping migrant sea rescues onto non-European states The EU has been mulling sending people rescued in the Mediterranean directly to coastal states outside of Europe, according to an internal EU document. How the Kremlin turns schoolchildren into future soldiers in occupied Ukraine When Russian forces occupy a Ukrainian town, schools are often targeted first. An investigation into hundreds of Telegram posts from Russian propaganda channels operating in occupied Ukraine since 2022 reveals a systematic campaign to militarise and indoctrinate children through schools. Why Europe’s decarbonisation is failing Fossil-fuel companies have built a network of lobbying organisations that top the list of meetings with the EU Commission EU sets out plans to double aid for Greenland amid Trump threats The EU will double its funding for Greenland and hopes to ramp up cooperation with Nuuk and other overseas countries and territories, the bloc’s international partnerships commissioner told MEPs on Wednesday, after weeks of heightened tensions and the threat of US military action to seize the island.  EU seeks first payouts in April from €90bn loan for Kyiv The European Commission wants Ukraine to receive the first instalment in April of a €90bn loan, as Russia continues its assault. Ten economic fault lines the EU cannot ignore in 2026 In 2025, uncertainty became the dominant buzzword in economic debates — but that does not mean policymakers can afford to stop looking ahead. On the contrary, identifying the key economic fault lines that will shape 2026 is now more important than ever, writes economics columnist Judith Arnal.