By Pierre Lefevre
Paris-based political reporter. Bylines from Paris, Rome and Madrid. Closely follows elections and coalition politics.
Midday Europe briefing: key stories for September 2, 2026
From Brussels to Berlin, here are the top stories shaping Europe this midday. Stay informed with our concise briefing.
Zelenskyy warns Russian skies are becoming unsafe for civilian flights
In his evening address on 1 September, Zelenskyy said the war Moscow started cannot be confined to Ukraine. He warned that the scale of Ukra
Brussels stands by €90 billion Ukraine loan despite war's rising costs
The European Commission insists the €90 billion loan agreed for Ukraine will be disbursed over two years, despite doubts about its longevity
Berlin accuses Moscow of drone attack on Leipzig airport
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt says a drone found at Leipzig/Halle Airport in August carried explosives, fitting the pattern of
Iceland's No vote exposes EU's flawed silence strategy
Icelanders voted 52.8% to 47.2% against resuming EU membership talks. Brussels stayed largely silent, a strategy that failed before with Bre
Kazakhstan's new Kurultai marks shift to unicameral politics
Kazakhstan has replaced its bicameral parliament with a new unicameral Kurultai after a March referendum. Five parties won seats in the 145-
Arctic becomes key front in EU's bid to break China's grip on critical minerals
The EU is increasingly looking to the Arctic for critical raw materials essential to its green and defence ambitions. Brussels wants to cut
Orbán-backed Brussels think tank MCC Brussels to close after funding loss
MCC Brussels, the Eurosceptic think tank founded by Viktor Orbán's government, is closing after losing its Hungarian state funding. Director
Guterres in Bishkek: 'Stop this madness' and pursue peace
At the SCO summit in Bishkek, UN Secretary-General António Guterres appealed to leaders to 'stop this madness' and end conflicts in Ukraine
Fatal shooting in Dutch village leaves one dead, two officers hurt
A fatal shooting in the Dutch village of Overasselt left one person dead and two police officers injured. Police made multiple arrests and a
Sweden rehearses mass military burials in largest defence drill since Cold War
Sweden's Aurora 26 exercise included a full-scale mortuary drill with 500 body bags, testing the logistics of mass military burials for the
Eleven EU states push to curb foreign policy vetoes
Eleven EU member states have signed a letter calling for an end to obstructive vetoes in foreign policy. They propose exploring qualified ma