Budapest and Kyiv break the ice

After years of Hungary’s former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán blocking Ukraine’s path to join the EU, Budapest and Kyiv are talking again. That has Brussels wondering if Hungary might finally be softening its position on Ukrainian accession.

Today on the pod, Nick and Ian discuss why joining the bloc is so important to the war-torn nation and why — even if the mood is shifting in Budapest — it’s unlikely to change overnight.

Also on the show, EU Commissioner Jozef Síkela is heading to Nuuk for a conference called Future Greenland. It’s all part of the EU’s attempt to court the Arctic island as Donald Trump continues to exert his influence.

And finally: Bono, Angela Merkel and “The Greek Freak” Giannis Antetokounmpo will receive the European Parliament’s brand-new Order of Merit awards.

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#Eurozone: #ECB officials question whether #Euro has strengthened too much, by @OlafStorbeck and Ian Smith | Financial Times

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ECB officials question whether euro has strengthened too much

Policymakers at central bank fret that a surging currency increases the risk of inflation undershooting

www.ft.com

[Featured] #Trade: #EU splits weaken its hand in crunch trade talks with #Trump, by @_Zimmerfrau and @_AriHawkins | Politico

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EU splits weaken its hand in crunch trade talks with Trump

European capitals are pulling in different directions ahead of a decisive round of trade talks in Washington. 

www.politico.eu

#EUDefence: The Italian job - How #Rome plans to work around #NATO spending hike, by @giuseppe_fonte, @AmanteAngelo and Gavin Jones | Reuters 

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The Italian job: how Rome plans to work around NATO spending hike

Italy, along with other NATO countries, has agreed to sharply increase defence spending over the next decade, but ...

www.reuters.com

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