Europe’s year of existential risk
politico.eu••world
Key Points:
- Europe faces escalating challenges in 2026 due to weak leadership in key countries—Germany, France, and the U.K.—and ongoing erosion of established norms, exacerbated by tensions in the transatlantic relationship with the U.S.
- The conflict in Ukraine remains a critical issue, with Russia showing no willingness to compromise, while Ukraine, supported by Europe and the U.S., continues to resist territorial concessions and targets Russian energy infrastructure.
- European leaders must navigate internal political instability, including rising far-right populism exemplified by Hungary’s upcoming election, which could signal broader shifts in European politics influenced by U.S. support for far-right groups.
- Germany, France, and the U.K. face political and economic difficulties, with
