Costa’s Honeymoon as EU Chief to Be Short-Lived

Can Europe Stand Alone? New Council President Faces Ukraine Dilemma

Brussels,Belgium –⁢ As Russia’s war in ukraine grinds on,newly elected European council President Charles Michel faces ⁢a daunting question: Can Europe do more to ⁣support ⁤ukraine without relying on the United States?

Michel,who assumed his role on December 1st,will preside over a⁢ crucial summit of EU ⁤leaders this week. The ‍meeting, focused on the bloc’s strategic agenda for the coming ⁣year, will inevitably be overshadowed by the ongoing conflict⁤ in Eastern Europe.

“What can Europe do more if needed, autonomously, to support Ukraine?” will be one of‍ the key questions ⁢on the table, according to an‍ EU official. “Hopefully ⁤this will ‍be one⁤ of the questions answered⁣ with the⁣ meeting of the 27, certainly the beginning of an answer to that question.”

The summit comes at a pivotal moment. ‍With the ⁤inauguration of President-elect ⁤Joe biden looming, European leaders are eager to chart a course forward for transatlantic relations. An⁢ informal retreat of⁤ European leaders is scheduled for early Febuary, shortly ‍after Biden takes office.

Some diplomats believe ⁢Michel’s honeymoon period‍ may end abruptly during this week’s summit, ⁤particularly during discussions on the transatlantic relationship over lunch.”We can already see the change with costa, he has a whole series of methods which make ⁢him a guardian of⁤ unity rather than a political force,” another ⁤EU diplomat said.

However, others caution against expecting too much from Michel, citing the example of his predecessor, Donald Tusk.

“Even Tusk — ‘a huge personality’ widely respected for the job he did⁤ between 2014 and 2019 — ⁣’didn’t leave a lasting legacy,’ the diplomat said.

The question of Europe’s ability to act independently ‍on the world stage, particularly in the face of Russian aggression, will undoubtedly be a defining challenge for Michel’s presidency.

Can europe Stand alone? ⁢New Council President Faces Ukraine Dilemma

Brussels, Belgium – As Russia’s war in Ukraine⁤ grinds⁤ on, newly elected European Council President Charles ⁢Michel⁣ faces a daunting question: Can Europe do more to support Ukraine without relying on ⁣the United States?

Michel, who assumed ⁣his role on⁤ December 1st,⁤ will preside ⁤over a crucial ⁢summit⁤ of‍ EU leaders this week. The⁤ meeting, focused on the bloc’s strategic agenda for the coming year, will inevitably be overshadowed ‍by the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe.

“What can Europe do more if needed,‍ autonomously, to support Ukraine?” will be one⁣ of the key questions on the table, according to an EU official. “Hopefully this will be one of the questions answered with the meeting of the 27, certainly the beginning of an answer to that ⁣question.”

The summit comes at ⁤a pivotal moment. With the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden ⁤looming,European leaders are eager to chart a course forward for transatlantic relations. An informal retreat of European leaders is scheduled for early February, shortly after Biden ⁤takes office.

Some diplomats⁢ beleive ⁣Michel’s honeymoon ⁢period may end abruptly during this week’s summit, particularly during discussions on the transatlantic relationship over lunch. “We can already see the change with Costa, he has a whole series of methods wich make him a guardian ⁢of unity ⁢rather than a political force,” another EU diplomat said.

However, others caution against expecting too much from Michel, citing‍ the‍ exmaple of his predecessor, Donald Tusk.

“Even Tusk — ‘a huge personality’⁢ widely respected for the job he did between 2014 and ‍2019 — ‘didn’t ⁤leave a lasting legacy,’ the diplomat said.

The question of europe’s ability to act independently on the world stage, particularly in the face of Russian aggression, will undoubtedly be a defining challenge for Michel’s presidency.