Europe

• EU: von der Leyen proposes that Canada should be offered ‘associate membership’ 17 September 2026
  Ursula von der Leyen has proposed opening the door for Canada to become the EU’s first ‘associate member’, although such a status does not currently exist. As Mark Carney listened, she called for closer cooperation in manufacturing, technology, artificial intelligence, defence, energy, critical minerals and economic security. Carney has advocated…
• Ukraine: Kyiv ready for energy ceasefire with Russia 17 September 2026
  Ukraine is prepared to agree to an energy ceasefire with Russia if Moscow commits to ending its attacks on Ukrainian power and gas infrastructure, according to Volodymyr Zelensky. When the proposal was raised by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner during recent talks in Kyiv, Zelensky indicated that Ukraine…
• Russia: parliamentary election set to reinforce Putin’s rule 17 September 2026
  Russia is holding its first parliamentary election since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with Vladimir Putin’s United Russia expected to retain control of the 450-seat State Duma. Critics describe Russia’s political system as 'managed democracy', arguing that genuine opposition has been severely restricted and the election cannot be considered free…
• Germany: AfD’s historic election success 10 September 2026
  The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has achieved a historic victory in Saxony-Anhalt’s state election, winning 43.8% of the vote but falling three seats short of an outright parliamentary majority. The party is seeking support from other parties or individual legislators to form a government, although most German parties have…
• France: fourteen face trial over deadly Channel crossing 10 September 2026
  Fourteen men have gone on trial in Paris over the 2021 English Channel disaster in which more than 30 migrants died or disappeared while attempting to reach Britain. The defendants face charges including involuntary manslaughter, facilitating illegal immigration through an organised gang and criminal conspiracy. Prosecutors allege that Afghan and…