European Union in September 2026: the most important developments in politics
The European Union in September 2026 was dominated by a proposal to make Canada its first associate member. On 13 and 14 September Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada wanted a "unique alliance" with the EU but not membership. On 16 September Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU wanted Canada as its first associate member and called for a "European Security Council". Carney backed the idea the next day in an address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, saying it would make Canada a better partner for the United States. President Trump called the proposal a "hostile act" and raised the prospect of tariffs on Canada. Discussions on the terms of associate membership continued to month's end.
Russia was the second theme. After a failed drone attack near Leipzig airport, the EU summoned Russia's envoy on 2 September; Kaja Kallas called it "state-sponsored terrorism" and German officials linked two suspects to Moscow. The EU prepared a sanctions package. On 21 September the EU condemned Russia's Duma election as a vote without genuine competition, and on 28 September ministers discussed Ukraine aid and a NATO-style joint response to hybrid attacks. Eleven member states pressed for majority voting in foreign policy, and Kallas dropped a planned defense advisory group after objections from France and Germany. Von der Leyen visited Greenland on 7 September, and the EU pledged 200 million euros for the island amid tension with Washington.
Enlargement and the Balkans formed a third strand. The funeral of Ratko Mladić in Belgrade drew EU condemnation, and a commissioner cancelled a visit to Serbia; Serbian officials called the ceremony a private family matter. Von der Leyen said Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans were moving closer to the EU, and France offered to help Montenegro. In Spain's enclave of Ceuta, the EU gave emergency aid and the European Parliament approved a mission.
In the UK, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on 29 September that Brexit should be questioned and on 30 September that rejoining the EU was an option. Macron and Spain's Pedro Sánchez said they would welcome the UK back. Germany and five other leaders pushed for a leaner EU budget, while the EU also condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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