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(Ian Ward – Politico/Eric Zemmour, France, US) In recent months, leaders of Europe’s far-right nationalist parties have scrambled to distance themselves from the increasingly unpopular policies of U.S. President Donald Trump. But this week in Washington, one aspiring European nationalist rushed headlong into MAGA’s warm embrace: Eric Zemmour, the leader of France’s far-right Reconquest party. Zemmour, a writer and longtime anti-immigration activist who burst onto the French political scene with a long-shot bid for the presidency in 2022, was nominally in Washington to promote a new English-language translation of his 2014 book “The Suicide of France” — a jeremiad about the ills of mass migration and the decline of traditional French culture. But Zemmour, who is reportedly laying the groundwork for another presidential bid in 2027, used his trip to visit some of the leading power centers of the Trumpist right. On Monday afternoon, he headlined an event at the Heritage Foundation, the conservative think tank that drew headlines during the 2024 U.S. presidential election for leading the controversial “Project 2025” initiative. Later that evening, Zemmour spoke at a private event hosted by American Moment, a conservative organization that places MAGA-aligned staffers in jobs in the Trump administration and on Capitol Hill. – French far-right firebrand finds a friendly audience in Trump’s Washington – POLITICO
(Koen Verhelst, Jacopo Barigazzi and Laura Kayali – Politico/Europe, South Korea) The EU is looking for international friends at a time of rising global turmoil, and South Korea fits the bill — with a top-level meeting set for Wednesday to cement tech, defense and industrial ties. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will meet with Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and Council President António Costa for over two hours — the first such summit in three years. “The summit also provides an important opportunity for the EU to deepen its economic security cooperation with South Korea, which is a crucial de-risking partner,” said Alexander Lipke, an analyst at the European Council on Foreign Relations. – Tanks, guns and rocket launchers: The ties that bind the EU and South Korea – POLITICO
(Chris Lunday and Laura Kayali – Politico/Europe, Defense) The collapse of a €100 billion program to build a European next-generation jet fighter has countries scrambling for options. For nearly a decade, the Future Combat Air System was supposed to embody a new vision of European military power: a French, German and Spanish effort — with Belgium as an observer — to build not just a fighter jet, but an entire networked system of jets, drones, sensors and satellites capable of competing with some of the world’s most innovative military aircraft. But after Berlin pulled the plug this week due to irreconcilable differences between France’s Dassault Aviation and Germany’s Airbus Defence and Space, countries are now trying to figure out what happens to their air power plans. – Europe’s next fighter jet problem has no easy answer – POLITICO
(Caroline Hug and Hans von der Burchard – Politico/Europe, US, Medicines) The Trump administration is launching a full-scale charm offensive across Europe to persuade governments to follow Britain’s lead to pay more for medicines. U.S. embassies across the continent are being mobilized to deliver a message to European capitals: American patients are paying too much for medicines — around three times more than Germany for new drugs — and Europe better chip in. If not, the bloc risks losing out on pharmaceutical investment and access to new drugs, two industry figures with knowledge of negotiations told POLITICO. – Trump’s drug pricing war comes for Germany – POLITICO
(Ben Munster – Politico/Europe, Energy Market) European energy markets have been strangely calm since the outbreak of the war in Iran but that might be about to change, as analysts warn governments are underestimating the seriousness of the shock to come. Across oil, gas and other energy products — particularly jet fuel — prices in Europe have remained subdued, with officials repeating that supplies are secure, appearing to contradict institutional warnings that the world was in the throes of history’s worst energy shock. In part, the calm is warranted. Europe has been able to adapt surprisingly well to the loss of big chunks of its supply, increasing its imports from the U.S. and other producers, boosting its domestic production and hastening the rollout of renewables. – The European jet fuel crisis that never came — and why it still might – POLITICO
(Hanne Cokelaere – Politico/Europe, Migration) EU plans to send failed asylum seekers to deportation hubs outside the bloc look set to gain momentum, as national capitals are poised to back new rules on migrant returns. Ambassadors are expected on Wednesday to approve rules allowing individuals who have been ordered to leave EU territory to be sent to “return hubs” outside the bloc — an option several EU countries are already exploring, but which civil society groups warn could open the door to abuse and human rights violations. The ambassadors’ sign-off comes ahead of a broad package of migration reforms that will apply from Friday. Some countries have already started work on return hubs, with Italy having a deal in place with Albania (albeit one mired in legal problems), and other countries holding regular meetings on setting up deportation centers of their own. – EU capitals boost plans for migrant ‘return hubs’ – POLITICO
(Elena Giordano – Politico/Europe, North Africa, Middle East, Renewable Energy) The European Union is betting that the future of its energy system lies under the North African sun. On Tuesday, the European Commission pledged €5 billion of EU money to renewables projects in North Africa and the Middle East, which could feed electricity back into Europe’s grid. The dream is that solar panels in the sun-soaked Sahara Desert and wind turbines along the southern and eastern shores of the Mediterranean generate electricity that is then sent through high-voltage transmission lines under the sea and into Europe’s grid. – EU wants African sunlight to power Europe’s electric revolution – POLITICO
(Clea Caulcutt, Esther Webber, Felicia Schwartz and Giorgio Leali – Politico/G7) French President Emmanuel Macron has invited Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to next week’s G7 leaders’ summit, according to two government officials and two individuals from the private sector who have been briefed on the plans. Al Thani has accepted the invitation, according to an Arab official and a European diplomat, who, like others quoted in this piece, were granted anonymity to speak candidly about a meeting still in the works. It’s unclear if Prince Mohammed will attend. “There’s no point talking about them without them there,” said a U.K. official. “It’s right to bring them in … Let’s hear what they’re hearing through their channels.” – Macron invites Saudi crown prince and Qatari emir to discuss Middle East crisis at G7 – POLITICO
(Ferdinand Knapp and Koen Verhelst – Politico/Europe, Russia, Sanctions) The European Union unveiled a new package of proposed sanctions against Russia on Tuesday, targeting the country’s banking, energy and trade sectors in an effort to weaken its economy. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Russia’s economy was “slowing sharply” as she presented the bloc’s 21st sanctions package, seven weeks after Council President António Costa announced the previous one entering into force. “Four years after the start of its full-scale invasion, Russia has clearly failed to subjugate Ukraine,” she said. The new measures now need to be approved unanimously by EU countries. – EU targets Russian economy and soldiers in newest sanction package – POLITICO
(Volodymyr Ivanyshyn – The Kyiv Independent/Russia, Ukraine) An oil refinery in the Russian city of Samara was struck by Ukrainian drones, and a manufacturing facility in Cheboksary was struck by missiles overnight on June 10, social media channels reported. Located about 800 kilometers (500 miles) from the Ukraine-Russia border, the Kuybyshevskiy oil refinery in Samara was set ablaze following Ukrainian drone strikes, independent Telegram news channel Exilenova Plus reported. An air raid alert was declared earlier in the night due to the threat of a missile strike, Samara Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev said. In Cheboksary, Chuvashia, a research and manufacturing site was struck by Ukrainian missiles, Exilenova Plus reported. – Ukrainian missiles, drones reportedly strike oil refinery, manufacturing site in long-range strikes on Russia
(Lucy Pakhnyuk – The Kyiv Independent/Defense, Germany, Czech Republic) Germany will contribute an additional 300 million euros ($346 million) to the Czech-led initiative supplying artillery ammunition to Ukraine, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced on June 9 during talks with his Czech counterpart in Berlin. “Germany will contribute an additional 300 million euros to this initiative – that’s approximately 50,000 rounds of long-range ammunition,” Pistorius said. The German minister described the Czech initiative as essential to supplying Ukraine with urgently needed ammunition and pledged Berlin’s continued support for the effort. – Germany pledges 300 million euros to Czech ammunition initiative for Ukraine
(Lucy Pakhnyuk – The Kyiv Independent/Defense, Ukraine, Latvia, Estonia) Ukraine signed a drone cooperation agreement with Latvia and a defense cooperation declaration with Estonia on June 9, strengthening security and defense ties with the Baltic nations during the Nordic-Baltic Eight summit in Tallinn. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the agreements following meetings with Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs and Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal. The agreement with Latvia focuses on drone production, technology sharing, and defense cooperation, while the declaration with Estonia formalizes collaboration in areas including defense industry development, air defense, and the exchange of military experience. – Ukraine strengthens defense ties with Latvia, Estonia
(UN News/Palestinians) Palestinian civilians are trapped between escalating settler violence in the occupied West Bank and fear-based Hamas rule in the Gaza Strip, investigators appointed by the UN Human Rights Council said on Tuesday in a new report. They “are being systematically and deliberately subjected to severe violations of human rights law by all parties to the region’s conflict,” according to the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel. “Violence by settlers is the direct outcome of Israeli policies that support, enable and protect their actions, whereas Hamas-affiliated forces have exploited the vacuum created by relentless Israeli attacks and widespread destruction of Gaza,” said Srinivasan Muralidhar, the Commission’s chair. “What is alarmingly similar is the deliberate infliction of suffering on Palestinian civilians. While their origins and motivations differ, both operate within environments engineered by Israel.” – Palestinians face systematic abuse by Israeli settlers and Hamas alike: Independent investigators | UN News
Tech world
(DigWatch/AI, UNESCO, Governance) UNESCO’s Information for All Programme (IFAP) convened an orientation meeting on 20 May to brief stakeholders on its activities and priorities in an increasingly complex digital and information environment. The meeting took place as the Programme marks its 25th anniversary in 2026. IFAP Chair Ambassador Salih Abdullah said the anniversary presents an opportunity to strengthen the Programme’s role as a global platform for policy dialogue and standard-setting in the digital era. He linked IFAP’s mission to UNESCO’s wider goal of ensuring access to information and supporting inclusive knowledge societies. – Information for All Programme convenes its community to address the
(DigWatch/AI, Belgium, Governance) Belgium ranks among Europe’s top five countries for business use of AI, with more than a third of companies now using at least one AI technology. In 2025, 34.54% of Belgian companies reported using AI, up from 24.71% in 2024. The figure is well above the European average of 19.95%, according to the latest Belgian Digital Economy Overview. Adoption varies strongly by company size. More than 76% of large enterprises already use AI technologies, compared with just over 28% of small businesses. – Belgium ranks among top 5 in Europe for AI use by businesses
