标签： Europe

French President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed that United Nations sanctions on Iran will be reinstated by the end of September, citing Tehran’s lack of seriousness in negotiations with European powers. Macron made the announcement during an interview with Israel’s Channel 12, where he addressed the so-called snapback mechanism designed to reimpose sanctions if Iran violates the 2015 nuclear deal. ‘Yes. I think so because the latest news from the Iranians is not serious,’ Macron stated. The decision comes ahead of a critical meeting at the U.N. General Assembly, where France and Saudi Arabia will co-host discussions on a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. Macron’s remarks underscore growing frustration among European leaders over Iran’s reluctance to engage constructively in diplomatic efforts to salvage the nuclear agreement. The reimposition of sanctions is expected to escalate tensions in the Middle East, further complicating regional stability.

The European Commission is actively deliberating a proposal to expedite a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) as part of its 19th sanctions package against Moscow, according to an EU official. This move comes in response to heightened pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has urged European nations to take more aggressive measures to undermine Russia’s energy revenues and weaken its war economy. During a recent call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Trump emphasized the need for Europe to halt all Russian oil purchases and impose tariffs on major buyers of Russian fossil fuels, such as China and India. The EU is already in the process of negotiating proposals to phase out Russian oil and gas imports entirely by January 1, 2028, with an immediate ban on short-term contracts set to take effect next year. The new sanctions package is expected to be presented to EU member states on Friday, marking a significant step in the bloc’s ongoing efforts to curtail Russia’s financial resources amid the Ukraine conflict.

At a press conference held at Chequers on September 18, 2025, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the nation’s unwavering commitment to free speech while addressing the need to protect vulnerable individuals, particularly children, from harmful online content. The event marked the conclusion of U.S. President Donald Trump’s state visit to the United Kingdom. Starmer stated, ‘Free speech is one of the founding values of the United Kingdom, and we protect it jealously and fiercely and always will.’ However, he drew a clear line when it comes to content that promotes paedophilia or encourages self-harm, particularly on social media platforms. ‘I’m all for free speech, but I’m also for protecting children from things that will harm them,’ he added. The UK’s Online Safety Law mandates social media companies to remove illegal content, with encouraging self-harm now classified as a criminal offense. While the previous government’s attempt to ban ‘harmful but legal’ content was abandoned due to concerns over free speech restrictions, recent police actions, such as the arrest of Irish comedian Graham Linehan for comments on transgender issues, have sparked debates on the application of existing laws in the digital space. The police defended their actions but acknowledged the challenges in balancing free speech and criminal content moderation.

France is grappling with unprecedented political instability, economic challenges, and social unrest, as the nation faces a deepening crisis that has drawn both domestic and international scrutiny. In less than two years, the country has seen five prime ministers, a record even surpassing Italy’s post-war political turbulence. The current political impasse stems from President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to dissolve the National Assembly in 2024, which backfired, leaving the parliament fractured into three factions: the center, the left, and the far-right. This division has paralyzed governance, with no single group able to form a functioning majority. The immediate challenge is passing a budget, a task made more daunting by a recent general strike that saw widespread disruptions, including school closures and halted public transport. Meanwhile, Italy’s media has reveled in France’s misfortunes, mocking its political chaos and questioning the nation’s once-celebrated grandeur. The economic situation is equally dire. France’s national debt has soared to €3 trillion, or 114% of GDP, with debt servicing costs estimated at €67 billion this year—more than the budgets of all government departments except education and defense. Fitch’s recent downgrade of French debt has further exacerbated concerns, raising fears of potential IMF intervention. Amid this turmoil, Macron’s leadership is under intense scrutiny. His new prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, faces the Herculean task of forging a budget compromise between deeply divided political factions. However, concessions to one side risk alienating the other, making consensus nearly impossible. The stakes are high: failure could lead to another government collapse, further elections, and even Macron’s resignation. As France navigates this historic turning point, the question remains: will the nation emerge stronger or become Europe’s new ‘sick man’?

U.S. President Donald Trump, during a press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers on September 18, 2025, commended ABC’s decision to remove ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ from its programming. Trump criticized the late-night host for making ‘a horrible thing’ about the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated on September 10 at a Utah university campus. ABC, owned by Walt Disney Co, announced the show’s cancellation following Kimmel’s controversial remarks, which suggested that conservatives were exploiting Kirk’s death for political gain. Trump emphasized that Kimmel’s dismissal was primarily due to poor ratings and a lack of talent, rather than solely his comments. The incident has sparked discussions about free speech and media responsibility, as state prosecutors in Utah have vowed to pursue the death penalty for Kirk’s accused killer.

In response to a recent Russian drone incursion into Poland, European Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius announced plans to expedite the creation of a ‘drone wall’ along the EU’s eastern border. Kubilius revealed that discussions with defence ministers from Eastern Europe and Ukraine will take place next week to advance the project, which aims to address critical gaps in Europe’s drone defense capabilities. The initiative, already under consideration by some EU nations, has gained urgency following the incident, which exposed vulnerabilities in NATO’s and Europe’s ability to counter drone threats. Kubilius emphasized the need for rapid implementation, describing the situation as ‘very dangerous.’ The proposed system would integrate sensors, weapons, and jamming technologies to detect and neutralize incoming drones. While cost and timeline estimates remain uncertain, analysts suggest the project could be operational within a year. Additionally, Ukraine has offered to share its expertise in drone countermeasures, with Ukrainian troops set to train Polish forces. Russia has denied intentionally targeting Poland, but Warsaw has dismissed this claim, labeling the incursion a deliberate act. The EU’s swift response underscores the growing importance of drone defense in regional security strategies.

In a significant development within Germany’s political landscape, Carsten Linnemann, General Secretary of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has proposed freezing funding for the country’s public broadcasters. This move comes in response to the reduced airtime of Julia Ruhs, a right-leaning journalist and moderator of the show ‘Klar,’ which addresses contentious topics such as immigration and COVID-19 policies. The decision to limit Ruhs’ presence on air has sparked outrage among conservative politicians, who view it as a blow to Germany’s debate culture. Linnemann emphasized that public broadcasters must adhere to their mandate of providing cultural, educational, and informational content, suggesting that funding should remain at current levels until further notice. This controversy unfolds against a backdrop of global debates on media freedom, with parallels drawn to similar issues in the United States. Critics of Germany’s public broadcasting system, which generated over €8 billion in license fees last year, argue for greater accountability, while defenders highlight its role in safeguarding democracy. Ruhs, who gained prominence for her commentary on immigration, expressed disappointment over the decision by northern Germany’s NDR to seek another presenter for her show, stating that it reinforces public prejudices against the media.

The Bulgarian government, led by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, successfully weathered its fifth no-confidence vote on Thursday, as reported by the BTA news agency. The motion, initiated by the opposition, accused the government of failing to implement crucial reforms in the justice and security sectors, which are vital for combating corruption in the EU and NATO member state. The vote concluded with 101 lawmakers supporting the motion and 133 opposing it, with no abstentions. A majority of the 240-seat parliament would have been required for the motion to pass. This latest political challenge comes as Bulgaria prepares to adopt the Euro in 2026, aiming to become the 21st country in the single currency area. The government’s resilience in the face of repeated no-confidence votes underscores the ongoing political tensions and the critical need for reform in key sectors.