Spain's Sánchez criticises plans to water down ban on new petrol, diesel cars as 'historic mistake'
in Madrid
Meanwhile, Spain’s socialist prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has criticised EU plans to water down its 2035 ban on the sale of new petrol or diesel cars, describing them as a “historic mistake” that risks threatening competitiveness and undermining efforts to mitigate the effects of the climate emergency.
Under current legislation, manufacturers were obliged to ensure that 100% of production of cars and vans had zero emissions from 2035.
The European Commission has now proposed reducing this to 90%, enabling the continued manufacture of a portion of plug-in hybrid electric cars, or even combustion engines beyond 2035.
Speaking in Madrid on Wednesday to promote his proposed state pact to address the climate emergency, Sánchez hit out at the plans, saying:
“What was approved in the European parliament yesterday was a historic error for Europe because competitiveness … is guaranteed by sustainability and not by weakening our climate commitments and our support for sustainability.”
He added: “Climate is the board on which all the other games are played. There’s no progress, no growth and no health of the climate becomes a risk factor.”
Spain is one of the European countries on the frontline of the climate emergency, having suffered deadly floods last year as well as summer after summer of wildfires.
Measures in the pact include funds to prepare for, and rebuild after, climate-related disasters, improvements to firefighting capacity, a plan to increase water resilience in the face of floods and droughts, and initiatives to fight rural depopulation and thus help keep the land clear of combustible material.
Sánchez said the raft of initiatives – which will be put before parliament – was designed to act as “a shield for Spain” and to protect its people and its economy.
“The climate emergency won’t wait,” he said. “[And] history will not forgive a lack of action. What’s in play here is the future of this who will come next. Let’s do it together before it’s too late.”
Closing summary
… and on that note, it’s a wrap for today!
Russia’s Vladimir Putin on Wednesday lashed out at European leaders, deriding them as “little pigs”, and said Russia would achieve its territorial goals in Ukraine either through diplomacy or by military force (14:10) in highly contentious comments a day before the European leaders meet in Brussels to decide on the use of frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine (18:39).
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged European allies to show their support to Kyiv and send a clear signal to Moscow that continuing its war is “pointless,” telling them “it is for Europe to make this choice” (18:06). He will attend the Brussels summit in person (18:55).
Germany’s Friedrich Merz said he would continue to push for a decision to be made on the frozen assets saying the pressure on Putin must be increased even further in order to persuade him to engage in serious negotiations (16:11, 16:16).
But Belgium, Italy, Hungary and the Czech Republic are in a group of countries that remain unconvinced about the idea, fearing backlash from Russia (10:00, 12:37, 14:52, 15:07).
Belgian politicians and senior finance executives have been subject to a campaign of intimidation orchestrated by Russian intelligence aimed at persuading the country to block the use of €185bn assets for Ukraine, according to European intelligence agencies (18:47).
The UK has told Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich to hand over £2.5bn from his sale of Chelsea FC to humanitarian causes in Ukraine, telling the billionaire to commit the funds or face court action (13:25).
Meanwhile, the UK has struck a deal with the EU to rejoin Erasmus+ from 2027, a move hailed by EU and UK universities as a “significant step” in post-Brexit reset of relations (10:39, 10:44, 11:02, 11:09, 11:22, 12:14, 16:42).
And that’s all from me, Jakub Krupa, for today.
If you have any tips, comments or suggestions, email me at jakub.krupa@theguardian.com.
I am also on Bluesky at @jakubkrupa.bsky.social and on X at @jakubkrupa.
Back tomorrow for the European Council action!
But before we get to tomorrow’s European Council meeting on Ukraine, there is a separate EU-western Balkans summit tonight, with representatives of five Balkan countries hoping to join the European Union attending the talks.
Albania’s Edi Rama is there – you can’t miss him, can you – as well as Kosovo president Vjosa Osmani, Montenegrin president Jakov Milatović, North Macedonia’s prime minister Hristijan Mickoski, and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Željko Komšić.
Curiously, Serbia’s Aleksandar Vučić chose to skip the meeting, in what felt like a jibe on the EU’s negative assessment of Serbia’s progress on its road to accession.
“By doing this, I believe I am protecting the Republic of Serbia and its interests, because we need to show what we have achieved,” he said.
The EU said it took note of Vučić’s decision and regretted it.
Oh, and Ukraine’s Zelenskyy is expected to join the EU leaders in Brussels tomorrow to make his case in person, too.
Belgian politicians and finance bosses targeted by Russian intelligence over seized assets
Dan Sabbagh in London and Jennifer Rankin in Brussels
Belgian politicians and senior finance executives have been subject to a campaign of intimidation orchestrated by Russian intelligence aimed at persuading the country to block the use of €185bn assets for Ukraine, according to European intelligence agencies.
Security officials indicated to the Guardian that there had been deliberate targeting of key figures at Euroclear, the securities depository holding the majority of Russia’s frozen assets, and leaders of the country.
EU leaders meeting in Brussels on Thursday are debating whether to approve the lending of urgently needed funds for Ukraine secured on Russian central bank assets, critical to maintain Kyiv’s war effort through 2026 and 2027.
Officials believe the campaign is the responsibility of Russia’s GRU military intelligence, though there is a debate about the degree of threat. “They have been engaged in the tactics of intimidation for sure,” one European official said.
Belgium is in focus because €185bn (£162bn) of the €210bn of Russia central bank assets frozen by the EU since the start of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine is held at the Brussels-based Euroclear.
Russia has publicly warned that utilising the assets would amount to theft and its central bank said it is seeking $230bn in damages from Euroclear in a case brought in the country’s courts. But it is understood the intimidation campaign has been focused on key individuals.
Threats have been directed at Valérie Urbain, the chief executive of Euroclear, and other senior executives at the financial services group.
Euroclear declined to comment: “Any potential threats are treated with the utmost priority and investigated deeply, often with the support of authorities as appropriate.”
All you need to know about EU's proposals to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine
in Brussels
After months of debate, EU leaders will decide on Thursday whether or not to use Russia’s immobilised assets to fund Ukraine in what could be a make-or-break moment for Europe.
So, what is the plan (it’s complicated), why now, what Russia does say (you can guess), why does Belgium oppose the idea (in one word: Euroclear), what’s the alternative (no easy way out), and what if it doesn’t get adopted?
Here is “everything you ever wanted to know about the EU’s plan to use frozen Russian assets, but were too afraid to ask.”
Zelenskyy urges EU to send message to Moscow that continuing war is 'pointless'
Meanwhile, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged European allies to show their support to Kyiv and send a clear signal to Moscow that continuing its war is “pointless.”
In his evening address, published on Telegram and his website, Zelenskyy said that Moscow keeps sending signals it’s preparing for further confrontation, and “it is important that partners see this, … in particular partners in the US, who often say that Russia supposedly wants to end the war.”
(He means US president Donald Trump.)
“We need real protection from this Russian history of madness, and now we will continue to work with all partners to ensure that such protection is truly there,” he said.
“The outcome of these meetings – the outcome for Europe – must be such that Russia feels that its desire to continue fighting next year will be pointless, because Ukraine will [continue to] have support,” Zelenskyy said.
He said this outcome depended in “100%” on Europe’s decision and “it is for Europe to make this choice.”
“We also expect that our representatives this week will continue the conversation and meetings with the American team about steps that can work for peace and guaranteed security,” he added.
We have seen some rumours online suggesting that Keir Starmer could attend European Council tomorrow, but they have been dismissed as untrue by senior sources in Brussels.
“It has never been on the cards,” we were told.
Britain's return to Erasmus 40 years on from scheme's creation gets more enthusiastic comments than in 1987
The UK government’s announcement that the EU’s Erasmus scheme will reopen to UK students for the first time since Brexit marks a far more enthusiastic drive towards closer relations with Brussels than was evident when the scheme was devised in 1987.
At the time, the Conservative government was accused by the European Economic Community of taking a very “narrow view” and of being unwilling to “take its share of the cost” of the proposed Erasmus programme, as reported by the Guardian.
Although the UK signed up to the Erasmus scheme when it began in 1987, it withdrew after Brexit, with Boris Johnson claiming that the programme did not offer value for money.
Here’s more on today’s return:
Updated
UK's move to rejoin Erasmus+ 'significant step' for EU, UK universities, groups say
Meanwhile, EU and UK university umbrella groups have joined a number of voices (11:22, 12:14, 12:44) welcoming the UK’s decision to rejoin the Erasmus+ programme from 2027, saying it was “a significant step” in strenghtening their post-Brexit cooperation.
In a joint statement, Universities UK and European University Association said the move would “open transformative opportunities for thousands of students and staff.”
Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK, said the industry looked forward to working with partners “to ensure that the programme plays a pivotal role in rebuilding our international partnerships and delivers the best possible outcomes for the UK.”
EUA’s president Josep M. Garrell said the news was “an excellent early Christmas gift,” welcoming “restoring bridges between our universities.”
He said:
“The benefits of Erasmus+ go far beyond financial support, promoting mutual understanding, respect and freedom – shared values that are more vital than ever in today’s world.”
The French umbrella group, France Universités, also said it was a welcome news, noting that “the UK became an active participant in the Erasmus programme soon after its launch in 1987, so the decision to associate again in 2027 will be a kind of 40th anniversary.”
They said they hoped the UK’s return would give French students a chance to restart their “lifelong love affair” with Britain.
“Compared with the Erasmus+ programme the UK withdrew from, however, the current Erasmus+ programme is more skills-oriented, so there is ample room for giving new orientations to our relationship with the UK through the programme.”
Germany's Merz says will work with EU partners to alleviate concerns on use of frozen Russian assets
in Berlin
Merz also said he would continue fighting to make up to €90bn in such assets “usable for Ukraine’s defence”, despite continuing misgivings by key member states including Belgium, where most of the funds are parked.
He said he took Belgium’s concerns seriously. “That is why I am trying with our partners to alleviate them,” arguing a plan by the European Commission, the EU’s executive, was “in perfect compliance with international law and international obligations”.
Merz said it was “insufficient” to neutralise “Russia’s war machinery with further sanctions”.
“It is not enough for Europe to keep up our financial support of Ukraine at the current level,” he said. “It is not enough for us to throw all our political weight behind the peace negotiations.”
He put the odds of winning an agreement at “50/50” in an interview with public television late Tuesday.
He also condemned Putin’s rejection of his call on Monday for a Christmas truce in Ukraine “not to be topped in terms of cynicism”.
Updated
Merz calls for EU move on frozen assets to put pressure on Russia as he warns against Moscow's ambitions
Speaking in the Bundestag, Germany’s Merz said it was essential for the EU to finalise its reparation loan to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s defence to send “a clear signal” for Moscow.
He said that European security “is, and this is becoming particularly clear these days, inextricably linked to the fate and security of Ukraine.” “Inextricably,” he stressed.
Merz welcomed “a great deal of diplomatic momentum” in talks about ending the war, including the Berlin meeting earlier this week, but suggested that Russia’s intentions continued to be confrontational, as it “strives to extend its sphere of influence far beyond its own territory.”
Merz said that as a result, this week’s European Council will have to make decisions “of considerable consequence”
“It is clear that the pressure on Putin must be increased even further in order to persuade him to engage in serious negotiations,” he told lawmakers.
He said the intention was to end the war “as quickly as possible,” and not prolong the war, but the funds would keep Ukraine funded for the next two years if needed.
“That is precisely why we need the decision of the European heads of state and government, and I will personally advocate for such a decision, starting this evening in Brussels,” he said.
Separately, he also said he would “continue to advocate intensively” for the EU leaders to back the Mercosur agreement, allowing the EU representatives to sign it in the coming days – despite opposition from France (13:15) and Italy (12:37).
He argued that if after more than 25 years of negotiations, the EU was to pull its support for the deal, it could question its credibility in trade talks.
EU's use of Russian frozen funds needs 'solid legal basis' or we risk handing Putin 'victory', Meloni warns
Similarly, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni is speaking in the Italian parliament (again), delivering a statement ahead of the European Council meeting tomorrow.
She largely repeats her earlier lines (12:37), saying that Italy is in favour of using frozen Russian assets, but “only with a solid legal basis.”
Meloni says that this caveat is important, because if the legal basis was shaky and Russia were able to challenge the use of funds, “we would be handing Russia its first victory”.
We are hoping to hear from German chancellor Friedrich Merz fairly soon, as he takes part in a similar session in the German Bundestag. Expect him to present a different argument, strongly in favour of the EU’s proposed move.
Updated
Confiscating Russian assets to fund Ukraine would be 'declaration of war,' Hungary's Orbán warns
Meanwhile, we are also getting some more signals from other EU capitals on what (the more critical) heads of governments are thinking about the EU’s plans on frozen Russian assets ahead of the crucial European Council summit starting tomorrow.
Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán did not hold back on his way to Brussels this morning, telling reporters that in his view taking Russian assets to fund Ukraine “cannot be interpreted in any other way than as a declaration of war.”
Orbán has long been critical of the EU’s position on Ukraine and repeatedly threatened to block further sanctions or other measures aimed to help Kyiv, with other capitals often criticising him for maintaining close contact with Moscow, including a trip to see Putin at the Kremlin last month.
Talking to reporters, he disclosed that he had recently written to Vladimir Putin asking him whether Russia would hit back at the EU, and he would consider how individual countries were to vote on the EU’s controversial proposal before retaliation, getting a confirmation that was the plan.
Given Budapest’s longstanding opposition and plain intention to vote against the plan, he claimed Hungary “has protected ourselves.”
Meanwhile, the new Czech prime minister, Andrej Babiš, has also offered a bit more on his thinking about the issue of frozen Russian assets ahead of his first council meeting.
Speaking to reporters this morning, Babiš sounded very non-committal as he said the debate was not about whether to support Ukraine, but how.
He said that the Czech government continues to support further financial assistance for Ukraine, but hinted that the would prefer to raise debt in financial markets rather than use frozen Russian assets, repeatedly referencing Belgium’s legal concerns.
He said that in principle the Czech Republic could support the idea of using frozen assets, but only “under certain conditions” that would address the Belgian concerns and without offering financial guarantees.
He also expressed his concerns that using frozen assets would inevitably prompt Russia to lash back at the EU and could disrupt the peace talks.
Putin calls European leaders 'little pigs' as he insists Russia will achieve its goals in Ukraine by diplomacy or force
Russian affairs reporter
Meanwhile, Russia’s Vladimir Putin on Wednesday lashed out at European leaders, deriding them as “little pigs”, and said Russia would achieve its territorial goals in Ukraine either through diplomacy or by military force.
Speaking at an annual meeting with the defence ministry, Putin said the aims of what Moscow calls its “special military operation” would be met “unconditionally”.
“If they do not want a substantive discussion,” he said, “then Russia will liberate its historical lands on the battlefield.”
Putin claimed that the previous US administration had “deliberately steered the situation towards an armed conflict”, adding that Washington believed Russia could be weakened or even destroyed in a short period of time.
He then lashed out at European leaders, accusing them of joining in with Joe Biden’s administration. “Europe’s little pigs immediately joined in the work of the previous American administration, hoping to profit from the collapse of our country,” Putin said.
Putin’s hardline comments came as US officials claimed that earlier talks with Ukraine in Berlin had resolved about 90% of the most difficult issues. But major doubts remain over whether the Russian leader is prepared to compromise on his sweeping demands.
Putin has repeatedly insisted that Kyiv cede the remaining parts of the eastern Donbas region still under Ukrainian control – a demand that the White House has at times appeared to endorse, but which Ukraine has flatly rejected. Moscow has also pushed for strict limits on Ukraine’s military, a ban on western troops on Ukrainian territory, and an end to western military support.
The Russian leader on Wednesday also denied that Moscow was planning to invade Nato territory, claiming instead that the alliance had begun preparing for a possible military confrontation with Russia, with a view to 2030.
UK will demand £2.5bn of Abramovich cash to be transferred to Ukraine fund, Starmer says, telling oligarch 'pay up now' or face court
On the use of frozen Russian assets, there is a big breaking news line emerging from the UK, with the British prime minister Keir Starmer formally issuing instructions to transfer £2.5bn from Roman Abramovich’s sale of Chelsea FC to humanitarian causes in Ukraine, telling the billionaire to commit the funds or face court action.
Speaking in the UK House of Commons, Starmer has just said:
“I can announce that we’re issuing a licence to transfer £2.5bn from the sale of Chelsea Football Club that’s been frozen … since 2022.
My message to Abramovich is this: the clock is ticking, honour the commitments that you made, and pay up now.
And if you don’t, we’re prepared to go to court, so every penny reaches those whose lives have been torn apart by Putins illegal war.”
As my colleague Jessica Elgot explains,
“The Russian billionaire sold Chelsea in 2022 under pressure from the British government after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Abramovich was granted a licence from the UK government to sell Chelsea as long as the money was spent supporting the victims of the Ukraine war. The proceeds were placed in a UK bank account controlled by Abramovich’s company Fordstam.
Since then, the money has been frozen amid deadlock in negotiations with Abramovich over whether the money should be spent exclusively in Ukraine or whether it can go outside the country as well.”
In a government statement, UK finance minister Rachel Reeves said it was “unacceptable that more than £2.5bn of money owed to the Ukrainian people can be allowed to remain frozen in a UK bank account.”
It’s time for Roman Abramovich to pay up.
UK foreign minister Yvette Cooper said that “this money was promised to Ukraine over three years ago,” and stressed that “it is time Roman Abramovich does the right thing, but if he won’t we will act.”
“That’s why the licence has been issued. It is time this money was used to rebuild the lives of people who’ve seen devastation as a result of Putin’s illegal war.”
Updated
France will 'firmly oppose' EU-Mercosur deal, government spokesperson says
Further to Meloni’s comments earlier (12:37), France is now also doubling down on its longstanding opposition to the Mercosur trade deal, with the French government’s spokesperson saying the French president would “firmly oppose” the agreement.
France keeps demanding robust safeguard clauses, tighter import controls and more stringent standards for Mercosur producers, AFP noted, amid ongoing farmers strikes across the country.
Updated
UK rejoining Erasmus+ 'strong signal in favour of closer cooperation' in higher education, German universities chief says
On Erasmus+ news, we have just got a reaction from the German Rectors’ Conference, an umbrella body for German universities, with its chair, Prof Walter Rosenthal telling the Guardian that the UK’s return was “a strong signal in favour of closer cooperation in European higher education.”
Prof Rosenthal told us in a written statement:
“I very much welcome the fact that this agreement has been reached. Erasmus+ is a flagship European project.
Like no other programme, it offers unique opportunities for intercultural exchange and personal development to particularly young people in Europe.
Students and researchers can immerse themselves in a different academic culture and sharpen their own profile. These are life-changing experiences.
The German and British higher education and research systems will benefit immensely from the United Kingdom’s re-entry into the European mobility programme.”
Updated
'Far from easy' to get EU agreement on frozen Russian assets, Meloni says, as she hints at Mercosur deal delay
Meanwhile, we are getting some important lines out from Rome, where Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni has been speaking in parliament about current EU affairs.
Meloni told the parliament that Berlin talks were “constructive” and said Russia was making “unreasonable” territorial demands in US-led peace talks on ending the Ukraine war, as she reaffirmed Rome’s support for Kyiv.
But she admitted that finding a legal way to use frozen Russian assets to help finance Ukraine remained “far from easy,” and said the focus shouldn’t be specifically on Belgium, but also other Russian assets more broadly, Corriere della Sera reported.
She suggested Rome was generally in favour on the use of frozen Russian assets, but needed to see strong legal basis for all proposed actions.
Meloni also appeared to back the French call to delay the EU-Mercosur trade deal into early next year, saying it would be “premature” to sign it now as more guarantees were needed for the European agriculture sector.
No deal yet on exempting UK from new import taxes on carbon emissions of goods manufacturers outside EU
Speaking of the EU-UK reset … the EU’s climate commissioner has said there is no deal yet with the UK to exempt it from new import taxes linked to carbon emissions of goods manufactured outside the bloc including the UK.
“We are in very good conversations with our UK friends,” said Wopke Hoekstra at a press conference in Strasbourg on Wednesday on the carbon adjustment border mechanism CBAM.
The UK had hoped a deal could be done by 1 January when the new levies are due to come into force and some believed London’s concession on rejoining Erasmus may have paved the way for a deal removing a Christmas cliff edge for exporters.
Hoekstra played down the significance of the 1 January deadline saying “the price it [the UK] will be paying is actually minimum” because decarbonisation efforts in Britain were well under way as part of political efforts to get to net zero.
The problem between the two sides has arisen because the UK is introducing its own emissions trading system (ETS) in 2027, a year after the EU.
Hoekstra said they hoped to link the two ETS systems, which would also mean exemptions for EU exporters into the UK.
“This is really a matter of doing things in the right order, step by step, chiffre par chiffre, pas à pas. So that means, first we need to conclude – and we stand ready to do that ASAP – to make sure we link the two systems.
“Then, in all likelihood, the conclusion is going to be that we are fully linked. That will have the very, very significant ramifications. And my assessment is that that if the full linkage of the ETS has taken place, that then it is likely that there is nothing in the book-keeping and nothing in terms of the paperwork that still needs to be done,” he said.
Separately, the EU and the UK have announced that they “concluded exploratory talks on the United Kingdom’s participation in the European Union’s internal electricity market, with the details set out in letters to be published in the coming days.”
“The European Commission and the United Kingdom will now work towards negotiating the United Kingdom’s participation in the internal electricity market of the European Union and set out the necessary framework for that participation. Closer cooperation on electricity would bring real benefits to businesses and consumers across Europe, drive up investment in the North Seas and strengthen energy security.”
Erasmus move 'symbolic milestone in reset' between EU, UK, German lawmaker says
German MEP Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament’s trade committee, said the UK’s decision to rejoin Erasmus+ was “a symbolic milestone in reset.”
“We must now continue to build on this momentum to promptly launch further concrete measures like SPS [Sanitary and Phytosanitary] or youth mobility,” he said.
Share your views on the UK rejoining the EU Erasmus student exchange programe
We would like to hear from people who may want to participate in the programme from 2027 and those who have taken part in the past.
If you are keen to take part in the scheme, tell us why. For those who took part in the past, how did you find it? Would you recommend it?
Share your views and experience with us.
The last available Erasmus+ country report for the UK based on 2020 data shows that University of Glasgow, University of Bristol, and University of Edinburgh were the three top UK universities sending students abroad, with most people coming into the UK from Spain, France and Germany.
Just over 16,000 European students came into the UK as part of from the scheme in 2019/2020, with almost 6,000 trainees on top of that figure. 9,800 UK students and 6,500 trainees went in the other direction, data show.
We are also getting first reactions from members of the European Parliament.
Sandro Gozi, an Italian politician elected to European Parliament from France, welcomed the agreement on the UK rejoining Erasmus+, saying it was “excellent news”.
“A concrete step to rebuild people-to-people ties,” he said, congratulating the EU and UK negotiators.
Updated
UK to rejoin EU’s Erasmus student exchange programme
Education editor
Young people across the UK will be able to study or gain work experience through the EU’s Erasmus scheme for the first time since Brexit, after the government announced an agreement to rejoin at a cost of £570m.
The scheme officially known as Erasmus+ will be reopened to those involved in education, training, culture and sport from 2027, after discussions in London and Brussels to fulfil a Labour election manifesto pledge.
The UK government said up to 100,000 people of all ages could benefit in the first year, and stressed that Erasmus membership “will create educational and training opportunities for British apprentices, further education students and adult learners, as well as those in higher education”.
David Hughes, chief executive of the Association of Colleges, said the announcement was “brilliant news” for staff and students of all ages in further education colleges.
He added: “For students, it widens their perspective on the world, opening their eyes to different cultures and different ways of life, and for staff, the opportunity to learn from other countries on how they deliver technical education and skills is invaluable.
“I am sure colleges will be delighted that they can offer these opportunities to students and staff.”
For university students, the decision means they will be able to spend up to a year studying at European universities as part of their UK degree courses without paying extra fees, while UK universities will be able to accept European students under the same terms.
Those travelling to Europe under the scheme will be eligible for a grant to help with the costs of living abroad, including those studying at FE colleges or on work placements.
The Erasmus scheme started in 1987 as a university exchange programme but has expanded over the past decade to include work and training placements, as well as funding for school trips and cultural events.
The UK left Erasmus after Brexit, with Boris Johnson claiming the programme did not offer value for money. The government set up a more restricted student travel programme, known as the Turing scheme. No announcement has yet been made about the future of the Turing scheme.
'Big step forward,' EU chiefs say as they welcome UK's decision to rejoin Erasmus
EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, who was directly involved in the talks, hailed the UK’s move to rejoin Erasmus as a “big step forward” stressing it will “boost people-to-people ties” between the EU and the UK.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen also welcomed the decision, saying it will “open the door to new shared experiences and lasting friendships”.
Updated
The official EU-UK “joint statement” on Erasmus is here.
Here is the key bit:
“Following the Summit, the European Commission and the United Kingdom have concluded their negotiations for the UK’s association to Erasmus+ in 2027.
The United Kingdom association to Erasmus+ in 2027 would offer significant opportunities across the education, training, sport and youth sectors for individuals in the United Kingdom and the European Union, particularly for those in the younger generation. The European Commission and the United Kingdom look forward to these opportunities becoming available.
They are pleased that the specific terms of this association, including mutually agreed financial terms, represent a fair balance between the UK’s contributions and the benefits the programme offers and pave the way for United Kingdom participation in the programme in 2027.”
Admittedly, as a former Erasmus exchange student in the UK, I may not be fully objective on this, but allow me to say personally that it just feels right to see the UK back in the scheme.
Exciting times for students on both sides of the English channel.
UK set to rejoin EU's Erasmus scheme in 2027
And we have just had an official confirmation of our reporting overnight that the UK is set to rejoin the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme from 2027.
The UK contribution for the 2027/28 academic year will be £570m pounds ($760m), the British government said, adding that the deal included a 30% discount compared to the default terms under the current trade deal with the EU, Reuters noted.
As Pippa Crerar noted, the breakthrough on Erasmus will help the UK government demonstrate progress in its push to improve relations with the EU, after Keir Starmer declared last month that “we do need to get closer” with the bloc, and with public opinion softening.
US looking at fresh sanctions on Russia's energy sector to push it to negotiate with Ukraine - reports
In the last half an hour Bloomberg News reported that the US is “preparing a fresh round of sanctions on Russia’s energy sector,” as it seeks to put more pressure on the Kremlin to engage with the peace process on Ukraine (£).
Moscow has just responded saying it had not seen the report, and it was still waiting for a debrief with the US after the Berlin talks over the weekend and on Monday.
Who stands where on EU reparations loan for Ukraine?
If you want to test various scenarios ahead of tomorrow’s debate on Russian frozen assets, you can use this handy calculator to see what is needed to get the proposal passed under the so-called qualified majority vote, or QMV (expect to hear a lot about it in the next 48 hours).
As we know, the opposition is led by Belgium and its outspoken prime minister Bart de Wever, with Bulgaria, Czech Republic, and Malta also against. Italy has some doubts too (at least for now?), and Hungary, traditionally, is against anything that would help Ukraine.
Slovakia appears to be leaning towards against too, with prime minister Robert Fico saying this morning that he won’t support anything that prolongs the war and would increase military spending.
Last week Fico said “I will not support anything, even if we have to sit in Brussels until the New Year, which would lead to support for Ukraine’s military expenditures.”
Don’t give them ideas, Robert.
As it stands, that’s not enough to block the proposal (unless France switches sides, essentially) – but that’s assuming the supporters will really push it to the vote. While technically possible, it feels deeply implausible politically.
Let’s see if we get any further political signals from the capitals during the day.
Updated
Morning opening:
EU leaders are entering final stages of negotiations ahead of this week’s crunch European Council meeting in Brussels, at which they will have to decide the critical decision on whether to use frozen Russian assets to fund a reparations loan for Ukraine.
Some 24 hours before they start their talks on Thursday, there is no agreement in sight, as Belgium continues to oppose the European Commission’s proposals as it worries about possible legal challenges from Russia. More worryingly for the countries supporting the loan, more countries seem to be having some doubts, including Italy.
Technically, the European Council could push ahead with a qualified majority vote, even if Belgium and some countries oppose the plan. But politically, the optics of doing that and acting against the will of the most invested member state’s will would be pretty tricky. Either way, it could very easily end up in mess.
The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, has just opened a debate on the summit in the European Parliament, saying “there is no more important act of European defence than supporting Ukraine’s defence,” adding that “the next days will be a crucial step for securing this.”
She outlined both options given to the EU leaders ahead of tomorrow’s summit – the loan or new joint borrowing – but stressed:
“We will have to decide which way we want to take, which route we want to take. But one is one thing is very, very clear. We have to take the decision to fund Ukraine for the next two years in this European Council.”
Prepare for a long Thursday night, everyone.
More broadly, von der Leyen told EU lawmakers that “Europe must be responsible for its own security.”
She added: “This is no longer an option. It is a must.”
Let’s see what they the leaders will do this week, then.
I will bring you all the key updates throughout the day.
It’s Wednesday, 17 December 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
