Heavy snowfall and blizzards have caused widespread travel disruption across Europe, leaving at least six people dead. Five fatalities were reported in different regions of France due to road accidents, while one woman died in Sarajevo, Bosnia, after a tree collapsed under heavy wet snow. In France’s Landes area, three people were killed in two separate accidents, and two others died in the Paris region in weather-related crashes.

The severe weather has also led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights across the continent. Thousands of passengers were stranded at airports in Paris and Amsterdam. More than 400 flights were canceled at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport on Wednesday, while Paris’s Charles de Gaulle Airport temporarily suspended about 40 percent of its flights, and Orly Airport canceled roughly one-quarter of scheduled departures.

French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot warned of further snowfall and urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and work from home if possible. France’s national meteorological agency issued orange alerts in 38 districts, with conditions expected to persist through Wednesday.

The European Union has designated seven countries—Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, Kosovo, India, Morocco, and Tunisia—as 'safe countries of origin,' marking a major shift in its asylum policy. Under the new framework, asylum applications from these nations will no longer receive the same priority and will likely face higher rejection rates unless applicants can individually prove a credible threat to their safety. The decision, announced on International Migrants Day, follows the EU’s broader asylum system reform approved in 2024.

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned the move as an attempt to sidestep international legal obligations and endanger vulnerable migrants. Critics such as French MP Mélissa Camara and the Danish Refugee Council warned that the policy could lead to unmonitored deportation centers and increased risks of mistreatment. EU officials, however, argue that the classification will streamline migration management and strengthen border control.

The new asylum and migration pact is set to take effect in June 2026. The EU has indicated that the list may expand further, depending on future legislative reviews and geopolitical assessments.

European Union leaders have agreed to provide Ukraine with an interest-free loan worth $105 billion over the next two years. The decision, announced by European Council President António Costa, aims to support Ukraine’s defense and budget needs without relying on frozen Russian assets. The financing will instead be raised from capital markets and secured against the EU budget, according to reports from Reuters and Al Jazeera.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to the EU, noting that the funds will help cover Kyiv’s budget deficit and strengthen its defense capabilities amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. The agreement was reached after lengthy late-night negotiations on December 18, marking a significant show of unity among EU leaders.

By opting for market-based financing, the EU temporarily steps away from the contentious plan to use seized Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s war effort. Analysts say the move could ease internal divisions within the bloc while ensuring continued financial backing for Ukraine through 2027.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called on the European Union to reduce its economic overdependence and strengthen its global competitiveness through a wider network of free trade agreements. Speaking in Brussels ahead of the European Council summit, she emphasized the strategic importance of finalizing the proposed trade deal with South America’s Mercosur bloc, describing it as a gateway to a market of 700 million consumers.

However, the Mercosur agreement has sharply divided EU member states. France and Italy, led by Emmanuel Macron and Giorgia Meloni, oppose the deal over concerns about environmental standards, agricultural safeguards, and regulatory clarity. Germany and Spain, in contrast, argue the pact would boost exports and diversify trade ties at a time of weak growth. Farmers’ unions across Europe have also voiced strong resistance, fearing cheap imports could undermine domestic producers.

Thousands of farmers were expected to protest in Brussels as leaders met, underscoring the political sensitivity surrounding the deal. The outcome of the summit may determine whether the EU can balance trade expansion with internal protectionist pressures.

The European Union is preparing to withdraw its landmark 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales, a move expected to be part of a broader reform package aimed at supporting Europe’s struggling automotive sector. The European Commission may instead propose a 90% reduction in carbon emissions from new vehicles, replacing the full ban initially adopted under the EU’s Green Deal.

The shift follows intense lobbying from car manufacturers and member states such as Germany and Italy, who argue that slow electric vehicle (EV) adoption and competition from China make the original target unrealistic. According to industry data, only about 16% of new cars sold in Europe during the first nine months of 2025 were battery-powered. Environmental groups warn that relaxing the ban could undermine climate goals and discourage EV investment.

The Commission is also considering new incentives for small and affordable EVs and measures to green corporate fleets. The final proposal is expected to test the EU’s balance between industrial competitiveness and environmental commitments.

European Union Defense and Space Commissioner Andrius Kubilius has warned that Russia could create a real conflict scenario in Europe within the next three to four years. Speaking after a meeting with Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, Kubilius described the situation as a potential 'conflict test' for Europe and urged rapid strengthening of the continent’s defense capabilities.

Kubilius emphasized that Russia’s economy has effectively become a wartime economy, posing a long-term security threat to Europe. He identified two major challenges: the potential for Russian aggression and the United States’ call for Europe to assume greater responsibility for its own security as Washington shifts focus toward the Indo-Pacific. He noted that while progress is being made through new financial tools and strategic planning, Europe still heavily depends on U.S. intelligence and satellite systems.

Kubilius also proposed initiating discussions on a European Defense Union that could include the UK, Norway, and Ukraine, stressing that Europe must prepare for greater responsibility within NATO and consider the long-term goal of a unified European army.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has warned that Russia could launch an attack on a NATO member state within the next five years. Speaking in Germany on December 11, Rutte said Moscow has already intensified covert operations against the alliance and urged members to prepare for a type of conflict reminiscent of past generations. His remarks underscore growing anxiety within NATO about Russia’s long-term intentions following its 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The warning comes as U.S. President Donald Trump pursues diplomatic efforts to end the Russia–Ukraine war. Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, recently stated that Moscow has no plans to engage in war with Europe but would respond if provoked. European leaders remain skeptical, recalling similar assurances before the Ukraine invasion. Diplomats suggest that despite Trump’s mediation, current negotiations may ultimately favor Russian interests, prompting European allies to back Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s stance.

Analysts believe Rutte’s caution reflects NATO’s strategic reassessment amid uncertain peace talks and persistent hybrid threats from Moscow.

The European Union has reached a consensus to tighten its migration and asylum policies in response to growing pressure from irregular migration flows. During a meeting of EU interior ministers in Brussels on December 8, member states provisionally approved several measures proposed by the European Commission. These include stronger controls on migrant arrivals and returns, as well as the establishment of ‘return hubs’ outside the EU’s 27 member states to manage deportations more efficiently.

Officials say the proposals aim to make the EU’s migration system more streamlined and enforceable. The initiative comes as many European governments face increasing domestic pressure from right-wing parties gaining popularity over migration concerns. The new measures still require final approval from the European Parliament before implementation.

Human rights organizations have voiced strong opposition, warning that the tougher stance could undermine asylum rights and humanitarian protections. The debate highlights the EU’s struggle to balance border security with its commitment to international refugee obligations.

Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Slovenia have announced they will boycott the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in protest against Israel’s participation. The decision follows the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) Geneva meeting, where members voted to adopt new voting regulations but rejected calls to exclude Israel, allowing the contest to proceed as planned.

Broadcasters from Spain and Ireland expressed frustration, citing humanitarian concerns over Gaza and alleged voting irregularities involving Israel’s contestant Yuval Raphael. Spain’s RTVE said the decision eroded trust in the event’s integrity, while Ireland’s RTE called participation “unacceptable” amid ongoing civilian casualties. The Netherlands and Slovenia echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing moral and public opposition.

Germany and several Nordic nations, however, backed the EBU’s stance, framing Eurovision as a celebration of cultural unity rather than politics. The boycott underscores growing divisions within the Eurovision community as it approaches its 70th anniversary, raising questions about the contest’s neutrality and future cohesion.

The European Union has agreed on a provisional deal to halt all gas imports from Russia by November 2027, marking a major step toward energy independence following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Under the agreement, member states will stop importing Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) by the end of 2026 and end pipeline gas imports by November 2027. The move aims to eliminate the bloc’s reliance on Russian energy, which once supplied about half of its gas needs before 2022. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the decision as the beginning of Europe’s energy freedom. However, the deal still requires final approval from the European Parliament and Council, and faces political resistance from countries like Hungary and Slovakia that remain dependent on Russian energy. Hungary’s foreign minister has vowed to challenge the measure in the EU Court of Justice. The agreement also bans new long-term pipeline contracts after September 2027 and LNG contracts after January 2027, with short-term deals phased out earlier.

A22 Sports Management, the company behind the European Super League project, has formally filed a lawsuit against UEFA seeking €4–5 billion in damages, alleging that UEFA continues to maintain monopolistic control over European club football. The move follows a 2023 ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), which found UEFA’s exclusive authority over competitions to be anti-competitive. A22 claims UEFA’s new 2024 regulations contradict that ruling and have caused financial harm to Super League clubs. Despite months of discussions between A22 and UEFA from March to September 2025, no resolution was reached. A22 had proposed a new competition called the ‘Unified League’ with a modern format and its own digital platform, ‘Unify’. If successful, the lawsuit could trigger one of the biggest structural and financial shifts in European football history, potentially redefining club competitions, revenue distribution, and governance.

The European Commission has proposed significant changes to the EU’s flagship data protection and artificial intelligence frameworks, aiming to reduce regulatory burdens and stimulate economic growth. The revisions would simplify the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by easing data-sharing restrictions and reducing cookie pop-ups, while also delaying enforcement of key provisions in the AI Act governing high-risk systems. The proposal allows AI firms to use personal data for model training under certain GDPR safeguards and introduces lighter documentation requirements for smaller companies. Brussels argues the reforms will foster innovation without compromising fundamental rights, but critics accuse the EU of bowing to Big Tech and undermining privacy protections. The plan, part of a broader “Digital Omnibus” package, will now go before the European Parliament and member states for approval, a process expected to face intense political and civil society scrutiny.

European Union Defence and Space Commissioner Andrius Kubilius has warned that Europe remains inadequately prepared to counter Russia’s modern drone attacks. Speaking in Vilnius, Lithuania, he said the continent’s detection, defense, and interception systems are still insufficient, even after Russia’s recent drone strike on Poland. Kubilius emphasized that while Russia is learning from its operations, Europe has yet to adapt effectively. He urged EU nations to learn from Ukraine’s battlefield experience to strengthen their defense capabilities, warning that failure to do so would be a historic mistake that could weaken both Europe and Ukraine. Following intelligence warnings about possible Russian aggression toward NATO members, the EU and NATO have begun reinforcing their eastern defenses, deploying additional troops and expanding anti-drone systems along the alliance’s eastern flank.

Germany and the Netherlands have officially qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after emphatic victories in their final European qualifying matches. Germany crushed Slovakia 6-0 in Leipzig, while the Netherlands defeated Lithuania 4-0 in Amsterdam. Both teams needed only a draw to advance but opted for attacking displays to seal their places in style. Slovakia and Poland finished second in their respective groups, earning playoff spots for March’s 16-team European playoff round. Northern Ireland also reached the playoffs through their Nations League performance despite finishing third in Group A. Croatia, already qualified earlier, beat Montenegro 3-2, and the Czech Republic secured second place in Group L with a 6-0 win over Gibraltar. Germany’s win featured goals from Nick Woltemade, Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sané, Ridle Baku, and Assan Ouedraogo. The Netherlands’ victory was powered by Tijjani Reijnders, Cody Gakpo, Xavi Simons, and Donyell Malen, delighting 50,000 fans at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

The European Union has officially launched the new “Entry/Exit System” (EES) from October 12, 2025, marking a major shift in how non-EU travelers enter and leave Europe. The system, designed to strengthen regional security, streamline immigration, and replace manual passport stamping, will digitally record travelers’ biometric data—including fingerprints and facial images—along with the time and location of their entry and exit. This innovation aims to combat illegal overstays, identity fraud, and cross-border crimes by enabling authorities to monitor travel in real time. Portugal and several other EU countries are coordinating the rollout through national security agencies and airport authorities. Although implementation will continue until December, the EES promises faster, safer, and more transparent travel management under strict EU data protection laws, representing a new era for Schengen border control.