Geopolitics

All news and posts of our editorial team on the topic

BDI calls for blacklist for sanctions evasion
In a new position paper, the Federation of German Industries advocates a central register for companies that help Russia circumvent EU sanctions. Thus, players who become conspicuous should first be placed on a suspect list, and if the indications are substantiated, on a block list. This would exclude them from trading with the EU’s Internal […] continue reading →
Von der Leyen shows clear lines toward Beijing
In her speech on EU-China relations, the head of the EU Commission was more confrontational than ever before. This sets a clear tone before her joint China visit with France's President Macron. It is obvious that this will not go down well in Beijing. But even a positive response in Brussels is questionable. continue reading →
US and EU join forces against China
President Biden and Commission President von der Leyen announced new measures directed against Beijing at their meeting. The Europeans are increasingly adopting Washington's hard line towards China. continue reading →
Northern Ireland: London and Brussels settle long-running dispute
Commission President von der Leyen and British Prime Minister Sunak have reached an agreement: The import of goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland will be greatly facilitated. The long-running dispute strained relations between the two sides, which are on the same side in the Ukraine war. But the last word has not yet been spoken. continue reading →
Zelenskiy invokes the common European destiny
The Ukrainian president was meant to feel right at home on his trip to the EU. After his European tour via London, Paris and Brussels, the Ukrainian president hopes for the delivery of fighter jets. continue reading →
Chip technology: MPs to stop transfer to China
The Industry Committee in the European Parliament calls for strict provisions for the protection of intellectual property to be included in the Chips Act. That should please Washington – if the member states go along. continue reading →
Werner Patzelt – on Orbán’s mission in Brussels
“I really hate to apply somewhere,” Werner Patzelt said in an interview. “I like being invited.” His latest invitation takes the political scientist to Brussels – on behalf of Budapest. Here, Patzelt heads the Brussels office of the Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC), a Hungarian think tank with close ties to the policies of Hungarian Prime […] continue reading →
EU and NATO move closer
Almost a year after the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, things have worked out after all: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and EU Council President Charles Michel signed a new declaration on cooperation at the military alliance’s headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday. The text builds […] continue reading →
Sweden: Russian assets for reconstruction
Shortly before the official presentation of the presidency program, the new Swedish EU presidency has dampened expectations. No quick breakthroughs are to be expected on the two central issues of the next six months – Ukraine and migration, Swedish EU Ambassador Lars Danielsson said in Brussels. “We will do it the Swedish way and work […] continue reading →
EU recommends mandatory testing for travelers from China
The new year of relations between China and the EU is off to a shaky start: Anyone who wants to travel from the People's Republic to certain EU states will have to provide a negative Covid test as of next week. Beijing is not very happy about this. But trouble also looms on the horizon in other areas. continue reading →
German government rejects Polish demands for reparations
The German government sticks to its negative position on Polish demands for reparations for the World War damage caused by Hitler’s Germany. On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on the sidelines of her visit to Lisbon that during her visit to Warsaw in October, she had “already made it clear that for us on […] continue reading →
EU-Ukraine summit planned: Zelenskiy invited to Brussels
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has been invited to Brussels in February. This was announced by a spokesman for EU Council President Charles Michel on Thursday. He also confirmed that an EU-Ukraine summit is planned for Feb. 3. However, according to him, it will not be attended by the heads of state and government of the […] continue reading →
Turkey: Sweden still needs to meet requirements to join NATO
Turkey does not see the preconditions for Sweden’s planned NATO accession fulfilled. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu accused the government in Stockholm on Thursday of failing to extradite terrorists. In addition, Sweden had not frozen their assets as requested. At a joint press conference in Ankara, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström said his government had […] continue reading →
US provides Patriot air defense and new military aid to Kyiv
The US government will supply Ukraine with the Patriot air defense system for the first time. It is part of a new $1.85 billion (about €1.7 billion) military aid pact for the Russia-attacked country, the US State Department announced Wednesday. That brings total US military aid to Ukraine to $21.9 billion since President Joe Biden […] continue reading →
Taiwan wants to expand cooperation with Europe
Taiwan’s President Tsai Ins-wen wants to advance negotiations on the long-stalled investment agreement with the European Union “which would instill confidence in businesses on both sides to expand investments,” Taiwan’s President said on Tuesday at a meeting with a delegation from the EU Parliament’s trade committee. Taiwan and the EU should build a “resilient democratic […] continue reading →
Building confidence for cooperation
The meeting between President Xi Jinping and EU Council President Charles Michel was an important sign for the future relationship between Brussels and Beijing, writes China's new EU Ambassador Fu Cong in his first public opinion piece since his arrival. He wants to advance the common interests of both sides during his tenure in Belgium. continue reading →
Russia: no agreement yet on new sanctions package
The EU states have not yet agreed on a ninth sanctions package against Russia on Monday evening. According to EU diplomats, there are still differences on some technical issues, particularly in relation to the agricultural sector. The talks are to continue today in order to reach an agreement before the EU summit on Thursday, if […] continue reading →
Western Balkans Summit: ‘new impetus’ for accession process
At the Western Balkans Summit in Tirana, the EU demonstrates that it is finally taking the geopolitical importance of the region seriously. In addition to a new commitment to the enlargement perspective for the six countries, there are also concrete initiatives to bind the Western Balkans more strongly to the EU. continue reading →