Europe

Europe's politics are shaped by the European Union's consensus-based rules and regulatory weight, by NATO and US security guarantees, and by the war on its eastern edge. The standing conflicts include Russia's war in Ukraine and its wider confrontation with Europe, tensions with the United States over trade, tariffs and defence spending, and disputes inside the EU over rule of law, money and migration. Arctic competition, including control of Greenland, adds to them. This page covers Europe's regions and countries, including Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Ukraine and Russia: politics, conflicts and news, month by month.

Geopolitical tensions and standing conflicts: Europe

The disputes that keep coming back, from armed confrontation to economic and diplomatic rivalry, in which countries of this region take part or have a stake.

Russia's war in Ukraine

Russia and Ukraine are at war. Russia controls parts of Ukraine's territory and demands Ukraine stay out of NATO. Ukraine wants its territory back and security guarantees. The United States and European countries back Ukraine and pressure Russia. Talks continue while the fighting goes on.

European political fragmentation

The European Union's members disagree over how much authority should rest with shared institutions and how much should stay with national governments. Disputes over rule of law, money, migration and cooperation with nationalist parties set member states and Union bodies against one another.

Russia-Europe confrontation

Russia and European states are in conflict over security in Europe. Russia wants NATO to stop expanding and to recognize its claims in Ukraine and its security interests. NATO and the European Union want to deter Russia, support Ukraine, and protect their own territory.