Berlin/Brussels — Germany Drives “Two-Speed” EU Strategy Talks:
Germany initiated discussions with France, Poland, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands to explore a “two-speed” European Union model that would allow a group of willing member states to act more swiftly on security, economic, and sovereign policy issues. The idea responds to criticism of sluggish decision-making in a period of geopolitical instability.
Brussels — EU Pushes for a Digital Euro to Enhance Strategic Autonomy:
European Economic Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said the EU urgently needs to develop a digital euro to reduce dependence on dominant U.S. payment providers and bolster technological and economic sovereignty — a priority reinforced by recent tensions over trade and external geopolitical pressure.
Brussels — Europe “No Longer Washington’s Centre of Gravity,” EU Official Says:
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that Europe is no longer the primary centre of gravity for U.S. policy and that this shift is structural, reflecting a need for the bloc to assert its own geopolitical identity amid changing transatlantic dynamics.
Brussels — EU Draft Exempts Some Gas Imports From Extra Russian Ban Checks:
Under a draft plan to implement a legally binding ban on Russian gas imports by late 2027, the EU agreed to exempt U.S., Qatari, British, Norwegian, Algerian, and Nigerian gas supplies from certain extra checks, streamlining procedures to keep energy flowing while phasing out Russian reliance.
Economic Signals — European Shares Pause After Rally:
European share markets pulled back on January 28 after a recent two-day advance, with luxury stocks notably weak. Investors remained cautious as political and economic uncertainty persisted across the region.
Tags: Brussels • Diplomacy • France • Germany • Italy • Netherland • Norway • Poland • Russia • Scandinavia • Spain • Ukraine • United States