Key facts
- European leaders met in Berlin to discuss Ukraine support and Russia sanctions.
- Polish-Ukrainian relations have deteriorated ahead of the Ukraine Recovery Conference.
- EU officials met with Taliban representatives regarding the return of Afghan nationals.
- A trip by European Commissioner Dubravka Šuica to Israel caused diplomatic friction.
- Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is under pressure due to a corruption scandal.
European leaders convened in Berlin to discuss future security guarantees for Ukraine and strengthen sanctions against Russia, following up on recent G7 summit discussions. The meeting, hosted by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, included French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
However, tensions between Poland and Ukraine have cast a shadow over the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will not attend, with Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko leading the delegation and signaling a focus on business outcomes over political disputes. The European Commission, represented by chief spokesperson Paula Pinho, expressed concern that such feuding benefits Russia.
In parallel, EU officials met with Taliban representatives in Brussels to discuss the repatriation of Afghan nationals who do not have the right to stay in Europe. This move has drawn criticism from human rights organizations like Amnesty International, given the human rights situation in Afghanistan.
Further diplomatic complexities arose from a trip by European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, to Israel, which occurred amidst a public spat between Israel's foreign minister, Gideon Sa'ar, and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. The timing and communication of Šuica's visit drew scrutiny.
Domestically, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez faces pressure from a corruption scandal involving his Socialist Party. Meanwhile, Spain has warned the EU against undermining its climate credibility by failing to protect dedicated funding tools.
On the digital front, the European Parliament has backed the development of a digital euro, aiming for a 2029 launch to reduce reliance on the US dollar in payments.