Ukens nyheter

Immigration

European Union: Five countries consider Rwanda deportation hub for rejected asylum seekers

Germany, Austria, Greece, the Netherlands and Denmark are reportedly close to an agreement with Rwanda to transfer people whose asylum applications have been rejected. Initial transfers could potentially begin in 2027.

The UK signed an agreement with Kigali in 2022 to transfer asylum seekers to Rwanda, but the scheme was never implemented and was abandoned by the Labour government in 2024.

External Relations

Canada - European Union: Proposal to grant Canada “associate member” status divides European capitals

Ahead of the Montreal summit on 29–30 October, several governments are challenging the term “associate member”, proposed by Ursula von der Leyen for Canada.

France, Germany, Italy and Greece have expressed reservations about the terminology without rejecting the principle of closer strategic ties.

Transport

Spain: Collision between two high-speed trains causes rail disaster

Two high-speed trains collided near Urda, around 150 km south of Madrid. The death toll rose rapidly, with an afternoon report putting the number of fatalities at at least 68.

This is Spain's second incident of this kind in 2026.

The cause of the crash has yet to be established. However, the transport minister raised an initial possibility of “a computer communications problem”.

Defence

Bulgaria - Romania - Türkiye: Three countries strengthen military cooperation in the Black Sea

Meeting in Sofia, the three countries' defence ministers condemned drone attacks on commercial vessels and discussed ways to strengthen their cooperation. They aim to improve information-sharing and early-warning capabilities.

During the meeting, another merchant vessel was hit by a drone attack off the Bulgarian coast.

Armenia: Parliament ratifies framework agreement with the United States on the TRIPP corridor

Armenia's parliament ratified the framework agreement with the United States on the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project by 63 votes to 32.

The initiative aims to improve transport links in the South Caucasus, connecting Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave through Armenian territory.

The project предусматриes a development company owned 74% by the US side and 26% by Armenia for an initial period of 49 years. Yerevan maintains that the infrastructure will remain under its sovereignty and jurisdiction.

Cyprus: Government confirms permanent presence of Greek fighter jets on the island

Cypriot Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas says Greek F-16s and a Hellenic Navy vessel now maintain a permanent presence in Cyprus.

The statement marks a shift from previous announcements describing the deployment as temporary. It comes amid stronger military cooperation in the eastern Mediterranean and rising tensions involving Greece, Cyprus and Türkiye.

Education

UK - European Union: London confirms return to Erasmus+ in 2027

The UK will rejoin the Erasmus+ programme in 2027, with applications for eligible organisations due to open in November.

The move will allow British institutions to participate in EU-funded projects, with individual exchanges possible once selected projects begin, no earlier than the second half of 2027. The programme marks another step towards closer ties between London and Brussels since Brexit.

Ukrainian front

Ukraine–Russia: Local ceasefire begins in Oleshky as strikes continue elsewhere

A local ceasefire takes effect this Tuesday in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky, in the Kherson region.

It is intended to enable a humanitarian operation, including deliveries of food and medicine and the evacuation of civilians facing severe shortages. Strikes continue in other regions, however.

The agreement therefore does not amount to a general ceasefire.

Kilde : Reuters

Trade

United Kingdom–European Union: Talks progress on “Made in Europe” rules

London and Brussels are making progress in discussions on the EU’s plans to favour European-made products in certain public procurement schemes, support programmes and strategic industrial sectors, particularly electric vehicles and batteries.

The United Kingdom fears its businesses could be put at a disadvantage. The possibility of granting it privileged partner status is under discussion, but no final agreement has been reached.

Kilde : Reuters

Defence

Europe–Japan: European Parliament explores closer cooperation on defence industry

Members of the European Parliament’s committees on Security and Defence and on Public Health are visiting Japan from 27 to 29 October.

The defence agenda includes industrial cooperation, joint equipment procurement and technology transfers. At this stage, the visit is a dialogue mission rather than an announcement of a new defence agreement.

Kilde : Parlement européen

Immigration

European Union: Brussels proposes strengthening Frontex and expanding its powers

The European Commission is proposing a reform of Frontex that would gradually increase its standing corps to 30,000 officers and establish a rapid reaction force that could be deployed during emergencies at the EU’s external borders. The proposal would also expand the agency’s responsibilities for migrant returns and cooperation with third countries.

Kilde : Commission européenne

Climate

European Union: Brussels proposes preparing Member States for 3°C of global warming

The European Commission is presenting a framework to better prepare Member States for climate risks. It is based, in particular, on a scenario of 3°C of global warming by 2100, close to projections associated with current policies.

The proposal aims to strengthen preparedness for heatwaves, floods and wildfires, notably by improving coordination among the authorities responsible for managing climate risks. The Commission estimates that adaptation will require around €70 billion per year until 2050, but the proposal does not provide dedicated funding.

Kilde : Financial Times

Defence

France: Paris brings ten European countries into its nuclear deterrence strategy

In response to the Russian threat and uncertainty surrounding US security guarantees, France is deepening nuclear cooperation with ten European partners, including Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom and several Nordic countries.

The “advanced deterrence” initiative notably envisages the possible deployment of nuclear-capable assets in different European countries, alongside stronger intelligence-sharing arrangements.

Kilde : The Wall Street Journal

Agriculture

European Union: Agriculture ministers negotiate new CAP rules

EU agriculture and fisheries ministers are meeting in Luxembourg on 26 and 27 October to seek a common position on parts of the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which will apply after 2027. They are also seeking a political agreement on fishing quotas in the Baltic Sea for 2027.

CAP negotiations focus, among other things, on farm incomes, the targeting of subsidies, generational renewal in farming and the sector’s resilience.

Kilde : Consilium Europa

Space

Europe: €10 billion plan to strengthen space autonomy

Europe is considering investing around €10 billion over ten years to develop an independent crewed space transportation system capable of taking astronauts into orbit and bringing them back to Earth. The proposal was put forward by Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA).

According to the estimates presented, continuing to purchase crewed space transportation services from foreign operators would cost around €5 billion over the same period.

Kilde : Euronews

Defence

Europe: Five major military powers meet for a European defence summit

The defence ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom are meeting in Paris on Monday as part of the E5 group. Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, is also taking part in the discussions.

The talks focus, among other things, on military support for Ukraine and strengthening Europe’s defence capabilities.

Kilde : NATO

European Union: Brussels steps up pressure on Temu to tackle illegal products

On Monday, the European Commission accepted Temu’s action plan to address shortcomings identified under the Digital Services Act (DSA). In May, the Chinese platform had been fined €200 million for failing to prevent the sale of illegal products.

Acceptance of the plan commits the platform to implementing the proposed measures, but does not mean that all breaches have been definitively resolved.

Kilde : Reuters

Economy

European Union: Proposal to establish a European Critical Raw Materials Centre

MEPs have proposed the creation of a European Critical Raw Materials Centre to strengthen the EU’s access to minerals essential for defence and emerging technologies.

The proposed centre could enable the EU to take stakes in mining companies, build strategic stockpiles and monitor supplies. The European Parliament has backed its creation with a proposed allocation of €2 billion.

Kilde : Financial Times

Elections

Serbia: Student movement ousts Vučić from power

Serbia is entering a new political chapter following the parliamentary victory of the student movement, Student List. According to provisional results, with 99% of votes counted, the student list secured 52.7% of the vote and 139 of the 250 seats, compared with 39.2% and 97 seats for the coalition led by Aleksandar Vučić’s Serbian Progressive Party. Vučić has conceded defeat.

European institutions have welcomed the change in power. However, the victory does not guarantee rapid EU accession: Belgrade will still need to clarify its relationship with Moscow.

Kilde : Reuters

Elections

Bulgaria: Close first round of the presidential election

In the first round of Bulgaria’s presidential election, held on Sunday 25 October, incumbent President Iliana Yotova came first with 34.76% of the vote, ahead of former Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov, who secured 31.95%. Nationalist candidate Kostadin Kostadinov came third with 12.54%. Turnout stood at around 22%, a historically low level.

The 1 November run-off will pit Iliana Yotova, who favours dialogue with Moscow and is cautious about sanctions against Russia, against Andrey Gyurov, who takes a more firmly pro-European stance and supports continued aid to Ukraine.

Kilde : Le Monde

Victory for Serbia’s student movement

Projected results of the Serbian parliamentary election

Provisional results — 96% of votes counted

Kilde : CeSID, Ipsos