Photo by Zbynek Burival on Unsplash When US President Donald Trump announced on 31 October that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had personally asked him for an exemption or transition period from new US sanctions on Russian oil, few in Brussels were surprised. Trump’s refusal, followed by Orbán’s promise to keep trying to convince Washington,…
Photo by Jason Mavrommatis on Unsplash Some MEPs have called for an absolute end of energy dependency on Russia. This, they add, should start with a partial ban from 1 January and leading to a total ban on gas and oil imports from 1 January 2027. The vast majority of members of the lead committees…
Photo by Siân Wynn-Jones on Unsplash Europe will hit its climate goals only if its smallest construction firms can fully contribute. That is the get tough message from policymakers, social partners and market actors. It came as the European Builders Confederation (EBC) capped its 35th anniversary celebrations at the European Economic and Social Committee with a…
Photo by 愚木混株 Yumu on Unsplash In July 2025, EU Political Report published an investigative article entitled “Icebreakers Hide Deadly Nuclear Threat”, which revealed a series of potential risks associated with the operation of RITM-200 nuclear reactors on Russian icebreakers. The article criticised the lack of transparency surrounding the programme, unreported technical incidents, and the…
Photo by Hao Zhang on Unsplash By all appearances, Russia is positioning itself as a global leader in nuclear technology, promoting innovations like the RITM-200 small modular reactor (SMR) as a key element of energy independence for remote regions and developing nations alike. Sleek promotional campaigns by Rosatom promise high-tech, compact, and safe nuclear solutions…
Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash The European Commission has welcomed a landmark deal which aims to cut maritime pollution. The agreement, with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), is hailed as a meaningful step towards achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from global shipping by 2050. The EU said it was a historic deal in…
Photo by Michael Pointner on Unsplash Europe is at a turning point in its energy future. In recent years, the war in Ukraine has cruelly exposed our dependence on imported fossil fuels, particularly Russian gas. It seems as though to placate President Donald Trump’s wish for a trade war, Europe will be purchasing more LNG…
Photo by Wolfgang Weiser on Unsplash Nearly 90 civil society organizations and networks have expressed their opposition to the South H2 Corridor. The construction of the 3, 300-kilometre hydrogen pipeline from North Africa to Germany via Italy was recently endorsed by governments in a joint declaration. The opposition to the plan follows a meeting of…
Photo by Karsten Würth on Unsplash MEPs say the EU is now Ukraine’s primary strategic ally and must help the country uphold its right to self-defence. They have also welcomed the proposal for a 30 day ceasefire, reached on 11 March. They say they expect Russia to agree to it and follow it by ceasing…
Photo by Matthew TenBruggencate on Unsplash Campaigners say that the COP29 climate conference left a trail of broken promises. Speaking on Monday, they also claim that it failed to deliver the outcomes urgently needed to address the escalating climate crisis. The event in Baku was full of drama throughout the two weeks and concluded in…
