European Union in May 2026: the most important developments in politics
In May 2026 the European Union spent much of its political energy on whether and how to talk to Russia about Ukraine. Foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas opposed former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder serving as a negotiator, citing his ties to the Kremlin, and EU officials doubted she could mediate with Moscow. On 28 May she said the bloc would not act as a neutral mediator, that Russia must face the same military restrictions it demands of Ukraine, and that a ceasefire must come before peace talks. Foreign ministers meeting in Cyprus disagreed on talks with Russia and postponed the appointment of an EU peace envoy. Slovakia's Robert Fico called for EU-Russia dialogue, and Moscow said the EU cannot be a neutral mediator. On 30 May Russia recalled its ambassador to Armenia, citing Yerevan's growing ties with the EU.
Enlargement was the second theme. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected an associate membership idea put forward by Chancellor Friedrich Merz and insisted on full membership. The EU signed a memorandum with Ukraine paving the way for a payment in mid-June, and Kyiv asked for six negotiating clusters to open in June as Hungary's resistance eased. Péter Magyar said Hungary and the EU were close to a deal on releasing frozen funds. Iceland's parliament voted to hold a referendum on opening EU accession talks in August.
On trade, the EU pressed for a zero-tariff deal with the United States under time pressure after President Donald Trump's tariff threat; a US court cancelled additional tariffs on 8 May. The EU-Mercosur agreement took effect provisionally on 1 May, and the EU and Mexico signed a new trade agreement on 22 May.
Inside the institutions, the European Parliament voted on 19 May to lift the immunity of Austrian MEP Harald Vilimsky and kept that of Angelika Niebler. Ursula von der Leyen faced criticism from EU officials and leaders over her powers and her address on Russia. Italy asked for sanctions on Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir over the treatment of Gaza flotilla activists, and the EU planned talks with the Taliban on deportations to Afghanistan.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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