Europe News 11 EU countries demand end to 'obstructive' vetoes on foreign policy Austria, Denmark, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain and Sweden are pushing to explore the idea of moving from unanimity to qualified majority in foreign policy. 01/09/2026
Europe News German-French plan would put Kallas under von der Leyen's supervision Under the German-Franco plan, Kaja Kallas would have a more hands-on role inside the European Commission, with broader responsibilities. But Ursula von der Leyen would retain the final say on foreign policy. 31/08/2026
No Comment Israeli activists protest outside EU offices in Jerusalem over Gaza war Around a dozen Israeli activists gathered outside European Union representative offices in east Jerusalem on 28 August, calling on the bloc to take a stronger position on the war in Gaza. 28/08/2026
Europe News EU struggling to find path to sanctioning Israeli settlements EU ambassadors have failed to agree on the next steps for sanctioning Israeli settlements – and with no majority in favour of any option, diplomats have admitted there's no clear way forward. 23/07/2026
Europe News Brussels accused of delaying Israel settlement trade ban The EU’s foreign ministers meet in Brussels on Monday to consider proposals to restrict or ban trade with Israeli settlements, but some countries are privately accusing the European Commission of dragging its feet. 13/07/2026
Europe News Trade ban on Israeli settlements is the latest test of EU unity The EU is weighing a trade ban on Israeli settlements, with Italy possibly tipping the balance. However, deep divisions among member states remain, alongside unresolved questions about the legal basis, and a formal proposal is still far away. 09/07/2026
Europe News EU diplomatic service announces new top posts with defence focus The EEAS has named Kajsa Ollongren as secretary general, with Matti Maasikas and David Cvach in deputy roles. The defence-focused appointments come as the bloc's foreign policy machinery faces increasing pressure. 24/06/2026
Europe News Israel: a test case for EU’s institutional battles over foreign policy Diverging views on the EU's relations with Israel are exposing a growing rivalry between the European Commission and top diplomat Kaja Kallas over who sets the bloc's foreign policy, undermining its overall coherence. 23/06/2026
Europe News Kallas-Israel spat draws mixed reactions from EU leaders EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas faced a mixed reaction at the Brussels summit over alleged remarks comparing Israel to apartheid South Africa, after Israel cut contact with her. 19/06/2026
Europe News EU fails to reach agreement on sanctioning Israel's Ben Gvir The bloc's foreign policy chief confirmed that discussions on restricting trade with illegal West Bank settlements will also continue ahead of July's ministerial meeting. 15/06/2026
Europe News Backlash against Kallas reveals hard truths of EU foreign policy The growing criticism of Kaja Kallas as High Representative has laid bare structural shortcomings and tensions in the European Union's foreign policy. 13/06/2026
Europe News Orbán-style vetoes undermine EU democracy, Kallas tells Euronews “In this geopolitical world, we need to be credible — and for that we need to be united and able to take decisions,” High Representative Kaja Kallas told Euronews, as the bloc looks ahead to the post-Orbán era. 24/04/2026
Europe Today Newsletter: EU ministers to mull bolstering naval mission Also in this newsletter: Belgian Prime Ministers calls on Europe to cut deal with Russia on war in Ukraine, and EU diplomats expect tensions over the closed Druzhba pipeline to play out until after April's Hungarian elections. 16/03/2026
Europe News After backlash, von der Leyen stresses support for rules-based order Two days after declaring that "Europe can no longer be a custodian for the old world order", Ursula von der Leyen attempted to defuse the backlash by stressing her "unwavering" support for international law. 11/03/2026
Europe News Von der Leyen and Kallas call on EU to adapt to coercive world order "Europe can no longer be a custodian for the old world order, for a world that has gone and will not return," Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday. 09/03/2026
Europe News Peace deal should limit Russia's army, not Ukraine's, says Kaja Kallas EU foreign ministers met on Wednesday to discuss efforts to end Russia's war on Ukraine. "The focus should be on what kind of concessions we see from the Russian side," High Representative Kaja Kallas said. 26/11/2025