Governments, elections, EU geopolitics
On 6 May 2026 the European Commission adopted the first-ever EU Anti-Poverty Strategy, with Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu pledging to eradicate poverty in 25 years. The package targets 93 million Europeans at risk of poverty, including 20 million children, with at least €100 billion earmarked in the next EU budget.
On 9 May 2026, Vladimir Putin shifted his public stance, declaring readiness to meet Volodymyr Zelensky in a third country provided a long-term peace agreement is finalised first, during a Kremlin press conference following Victory Day commemorations.
EU foreign ministers adopt new sanctions targeting officials involved in deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. Von der Leyen has repeatedly cited ‘thousands of Ukrainian children’ allegedly transferred during the conflict, though Russian sources dispute the scale.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas arrived in Chișinău 7 May 2026 and announced a doubling of EU annual financial assistance to Moldova by €120 million through the European Peace Facility. The move accelerates Moldova’s defense and security alignment.
The Pentagon announces it will withdraw roughly 5,000 troops from Germany, with Italy and Spain potentially next. German Defense Minister Pistorius calls the move ‘anticipated’ but warns Europe must shoulder more burden of its own defense.
Ursula von der Leyen and Kaja Kallas warn EU must adapt to a ‘chaotic, coercive world order’ as Iran war reshapes geopolitics. Commission president argues ‘Europe can no longer be a custodian for the old world order’.
EU Foreign Affairs Council in early May 2026 reviews 194.9 billion euro Ukraine support to date and 90 billion loan for 2026-2027. High Representative Kaja Kallas chaired first EU-Syria high-level political dialogue and International Coalition for Return of Ukrainian Children.
Romania hosts on 13 May 2026 the Bucharest 9 (B9) Summit with Nordic countries at Cotroceni Palace under theme Delivering More for Transatlantic Security. NATO SG Mark Rutte invited.
EU ambassadors approved on 22 April 2026 an ad hoc working group to draft Montenegro’s accession treaty – the first since Croatia in 2013. Albania advances rapidly with all clusters open.
The European Parliament launches the 2026 edition of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism on 5 May 2026, with submissions opening for the EU’s flagship investigative journalism award.