The US decision to ban non-US citizens from using Anthropic's software highlights the tensions surrounding the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI). Whilst this ineffective measure serves to monopolise AI for military purposes, international consultation at the highest level is needed to regulate these developments. The European Union must strive to learn from this. It must strike the right balance between the essential rules that protect people's fundamental rights and those that should be scrapped, as they impose an administrative burden on start-ups and slow them down. Europe's real challenge is not scientific but financial. The task, therefore, is to step up support for innovation whilst keeping the common good as a priority.

On 9 June, the European Commission gave a positive assessment of Slovenia's sixth payment request, amounting to €41 million, under the NextGenerationEU plan. To date, Slovenia has received 83% of its total allocation of €2.14 billion under the Recovery and Resilience Facility. On 10 June, the Hungarian authorities submitted a request to revise the recovery plan, detailing the reforms and investments the country intends to carry out by the end of August, with a view to accessing European funds. The Foundation provides a summary of the various national recovery plans on its website, setting out the amounts, timetables and priorities.

The 'Schuman Report on Europe: The State of the Union 2026' is now available in digital format (e-book). Published by Hémisphères, this 20th issue reflects on the current context of profound geopolitical upheaval. This year's report analyses the major challenges facing the European Union: security and defence, economic competitiveness, technological sovereignty and political cohesion. As war continues on the continent and global balances are shifting, Europe finds itself at a decisive turning point in its history. This benchmark publication helps readers understand the transformations underway and reflect on the future of the Union. It is also available in print in French on the Foundation's website and in bookshops.

On 9 June, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, proposed a 21st round of sanctions against Russia, targeting the energy, financial services, cryptocurrency and trade sectors. These new measures will see 170 individuals and entities added to the sanctions list, including nearly 90 banks. The Commission is also proposing to freeze the oil price cap at its current level for six months, whilst tightening restrictions on Russia's ghost fleet. The proposal must now be approved by the Member States.

The Pact on Migration and Asylum entered into force on 12 June. Adopted in May 2024, it aims to strengthen the fight against irregular migration by reforming European migration policy. Consisting of a directive and nine regulations, it provides for a screening procedure at the EU's external borders, the harmonisation of asylum processes and the acceleration of procedures at the border. The texts also put an end to the 'Dublin' mechanism, which assigned responsibility for examining an asylum application to the first country of entry into the European Union. Instead, a mandatory, permanent and annual solidarity mechanism commits Member States to contributing to a quantitative solidarity target.

On 10 June, the European Commission adopted two strategies for the Union's islands and coastal communities. For the EU's 4,000 islands, home to 17 million people, and its 70,000 km of coastline, the strategy aims to turn the challenges facing these areas into opportunities and sustainable assets. This includes ensuring that their specific needs are fully taken into account in future proposals. For the first time, the Commission defines a coordinated approach, aimed at supporting these areas.

On 8 and 9 June, transport ministers adopted conclusions on the EU's maritime industrial strategy and port strategy. In response to intensifying global competition, the maritime industrial strategy aims to strengthen Europe's position in high-tech shipbuilding and state-of-the-art port equipment. The port strategy aims to harmonise initiatives to boost competitiveness, ensure the energy transition and safeguard the security of European ports. At the same time, ministers exchanged views on efforts to decarbonise transport beyond 2030.

On 11 June, Eurogroup finance ministers met to review macroeconomic and fiscal developments in the euro area, with a particular focus on fiscal issues. The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, presented the findings of the Fund's annual policy consultation on the euro area and held an exchange of views with the ministers. They then discussed the challenges and priorities relating to strengthening energy security and economic resilience.

On 12 June, European economy and finance ministers finalised their position on strengthening the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). At the same time, they held an exchange of views on the package relating to market integration and supervision. Finally, they decided to close the excessive deficit procedure for Malta, as the country's public deficit has been brought below 3% of GDP. They also activated the national exemption clause for Spain to help it increase its defence spending.

On 11 June, the Cypriot Presidency of the Council presented a "negotiating box", a document designed to structure negotiations between Member States on the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2028–2034. This text aims to reach, if possible, a political compromise on future European budgetary priorities, against a backdrop of growing needs in the areas of competitiveness, defence, the green transition and support for Ukraine. The Cypriot Presidency thus intends to prepare for the upcoming discussions at the European Council on 18 and 19 June, with the aim of reaching an agreement before the end of 2026.

On 10 June, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, António Costa, met with the South Korean President, Lee Jae-myung, at their 11th bilateral summit, during which they signed a digital trade agreement that complements the free trade agreement in force since 2011. It aims to strengthen online consumer protection, facilitate cross-border data flows and reduce business costs. At the same time, the European Union and South Korea launched a new Partnership for Competitiveness. Highlighting the interdependence between European security and that of the Indo-Pacific, the leaders committed to expanding their partnership in the fields of security and defence.

On 11 June, the European Union and four countries in Eastern and Southern Africa (the Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius and the Seychelles) concluded negotiations on an Enhanced Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). It covers services, investment, public procurement, digital trade and intellectual property. In particular, it includes a wide range of binding commitments on sustainable development, covering issues relating to workers' rights and climate protection. The agreement remains open to other countries in the region, and negotiations are continuing with Zimbabwe. It still needs to be approved by the Council and the European Parliament before it can enter into force.

On 8 June, the European Union and Kenya strengthened their strategic partnership in the areas of trade, digital transformation and sustainable investment with a view to boosting economic growth as part of the EU's Global Gateway initiative.

On 12 June, the European Union and Brazil signed a digital partnership and adopted mutual adequacy decisions, thereby recognising that their levels of data protection were comparable and enabling businesses, public authorities and individuals to exchange data freely. The partnership will also strengthen bilateral cooperation on shared digital priorities.

On 11 June, the Governing Council of the European Central Bank decided to raise the three key interest rates by 25 basis points. As a result, the interest rates on the deposit facility, the main refinancing operations and the marginal lending facility will be raised to 2.25%, 2.40% and 2.65% respectively, with effect from 17 June. This is the first rate rise since September 2023. The governors hope this will help to curb inflation, which rose to 3.2% in May from 1.9% in February, due to the conflict in the Middle East. This decision aims to ensure that inflation stabilises at the European Central Bank's medium-term target of 2%.

On 10 June, negotiators from the European Parliament and the Council reached an agreement on legislative proposals to facilitate investment in defence. Among the key measures, the negotiators agreed to speed up project licensing, with a default timeframe of 42 working days. They agreed on measures to remove regulatory barriers to intra-EU transfers of defence-related products and to accelerate defence procurement. Finally, to encourage investment, the management and implementation of the European Defence Fund will be simplified. These proposals are expected to generate up to €800 billion in investment over the coming years as part of the ReArm Europe plan.

On 9 June, negotiators from the Council and the European Parliament reached an agreement on legislation concerning small and mid-cap companies and on digitisation. The co-legislators are creating a new category of "small mid-cap enterprises", defined as companies with fewer than 1,000 employees and a turnover not exceeding €150 million. This category will allow these companies to retain the same favourable development environment as when they were SMEs. Furthermore, the new legislation promotes the principle of 'digital by default', helping to reduce costs for businesses and cut red tape.

On 11 June, negotiators from the Council and the Parliament reached an agreement to strengthen the Market Stability Reserve (MSR). This mechanism will apply to the future emissions trading system, 'ETS2', and will cover the buildings and road transport sectors from 2028. This reform aims to limit sharp rises in carbon prices for households and businesses by increasing the volume of allowances that can be injected into the market when prices exceed the threshold of €45 per tonne of CO₂. The European institutions thus intend to enhance the predictability of the system, reduce price volatility and facilitate the acceptance of the climate transition. This agreement is one of the key instruments of the European decarbonisation strategy.

On 8 June, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron announced the abandonment of the Future Combat Air System (SCAF) project. This programme, launched in 2017 that aimed to develop a new-generation fighter jet, was set to replace the Rafale and the Eurofighter by 2040. Although the development of the fighter jet has been scrapped, certain components, in particular the networking system (combat cloud), are expected to be retained. This failure represents a major setback for Franco-German industrial cooperation and raises questions about Europe's ability to carry out large-scale joint programmes.

On 8 June, France and Cyprus signed a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) in Nicosia, which aims to provide a legal framework for the presence of each country's armed forces on the other's territory. It seeks to simplify military deployments in a tense Mediterranean region. This follows the strategic partnership agreement concluded by Presidents Nikos Christodoulides and Emmanuel Macron in Paris last December.

Until 19 June, Paris is hosting Eurosatory, the world's leading defence and security exhibition, which was established in 1967. Bringing together more than 2,600 exhibitors from around the world, this exhibition, which specialises in land and air-land systems, highlights several key challenges: accelerating industrial production rates, defence innovation, supply chain resilience, preparing forces for high-intensity conflict, developing collaborative combat and strengthening European cooperation.

On 11 June, the Irish government presented the priorities for the upcoming Irish Council presidency, which Dublin will hold from 1 July to 31 December. Structured around three pillars – competitiveness, values and security – this programme aims to strengthen the Union's economic resilience, uphold the rule of law and European democratic values, and address the security challenges facing the continent.

On 8 June, Luxembourg hosted thirteen digital ministers as part of the Digital 9 Plus (D9+) meeting to discuss, in particular, digital security and the protection of minors online. Discussions also focused on the European Union's competitiveness, the development of artificial intelligence and the removal of barriers to the single market. On this occasion, they called for the security of digital platforms to be strengthened, notably through the forthcoming proposal known as the Digital Fairness Act, with a view to ensuring a coherent European approach and avoiding any regulatory fragmentation. The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss ways of accelerating the transition towards greater European digital sovereignty.

On 14 June, Romanian President Nicosur Dan appointed former Development Minister Adrian Vestea as Prime Minister, tasking him with forming a new government. This new appointment follows the withdrawal of MEP Eugen Tomac, who had initially been nominated for the post, after he failed to secure a majority in Parliament. The country has been in the throes of a political crisis since the ousting of Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan in early May, following a vote of no confidence brought by his former Social Democratic allies and the far right.

On 14 June, the Swiss rejected by 54.75% the anti-immigration initiative entitled "No to a Switzerland of 10 million!", which aimed to cap the country's population at 10 million, with the current population standing at 9.5 million, of whom more than a quarter are foreign nationals.

On 9 June, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal and signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation between their countries in the fields of security and defence. It provides, in particular, for security assistance, an exchange of expertise and cooperation in the defence and air defence industries. On the same day, the Ukrainian President met with Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs and concluded an agreement on drones, which notably provides for the supply of defence products by Latvia, the financing of Ukrainian production and the development of their defence cooperation.

On 9 June, the Nordic-Baltic Summit (NB8 – Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden) was held in Tallinn, attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They committed to strengthening their cooperation on security, defence, resilience and competitiveness, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence and technology. They also reiterated their unwavering support for Ukraine and their desire to see it join the European Union and NATO, whilst seeking to develop their cooperation with Ukraine in the economic, political, security and defence spheres.

From 6 to 12 June, Pope Leo XIV undertook an apostolic journey to Spain, taking him to Madrid, Barcelona and the Canary Islands. Under the motto "Lift up your eyes" – a biblical reference inviting people to discern God's presence and to open themselves to others – this journey placed migration at the centre of focus. He addressed Spanish parliamentarians in an unprecedented address, recalling that the defence of human life was a civilisational objective and that Europe must rediscover the true value of dialogue. In Barcelona, he inaugurated the final tower of the Sagrada Familia.

On 11 June, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, met with Austrian leaders and representatives of international organisations in Vienna. He emphasised the need for cooperation between European multilateral institutions. In this context, the strengthening of cooperation between the Council of Europe and the OSCE was discussed, building on their complementary roles in promoting human rights. On the 70th anniversary of its accession to the Council of Europe, Austria was commended for its long-standing commitment to European cooperation, with particular emphasis on its consistent implementation of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights.

On 9 June, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) presented the 2026 report on drugs in Europe. The report highlights that drugs are having an increasingly negative impact on health and safety in Europe, due to their increased availability and potency. At the same time, it reveals that trafficking poses a security threat through increasingly diversified organised crime networks. However, the volume of drugs intercepted in the EU is down compared to 2024. In this regard, the Commission will continue to step up its support to Member States to address these challenges, in particular through a new EU strategy and action plan against drug trafficking.

Until 23 August, the Royal Academy of Arts in London is hosting its traditional Summer Exhibition. This event brings together the work of artists from a wide range of backgrounds, from the general public to renowned artists and Royal Academicians. Visitors can explore a wide range of disciplines, including drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, architecture, film and digital art.

Running until 5 November, the Bonifacio Contemporary Art Biennale, organised by De Renava, returns for its third edition under the theme "No One Sleeps". This event brings together 18 artists and collectives from the local and international scene, who explore the theme of celebration as a space for resistance, freedom and collective reappropriation through installations, videos and performances. As part of the programme, several concerts, talks, performances and screenings will take place.

From 18 to 21 June, Art Basel opens its doors in Basel. Nearly 290 world-renowned galleries will be showcasing the work of over 4,000 artists. In addition to the exhibitions, the fair hosts daily talks, meetings and events throughout the city, making Basel an unmissable event for artists and collectors.

10 June marked the 100th anniversary of the death of the architect Antoni Gaudí. To mark the occasion, the Tower of St John the Baptist at the Sagrada Família was inaugurated in the presence of Pope Leo XIV, who presided over a solemn mass: at 172.5 metres, the basilica is now the tallest in the world. This inauguration is also part of a particularly significant year for Barcelona, which has been designated World Capital of Architecture by UNESCO. The city is hosting over 1,500 events, including an exhibition at the Museu d'Història de Catalunya, a conference dedicated to Gaudí's work at La Pedrera, special programmes in its iconic buildings, as well as the World Congress of Architects scheduled for 28 June to 2 July.

Until 31 July, the city of Munich is hosting a new season of the Münchner Opernfestspiele, an opera festival organised by the Bayerische Staatsoper. For over a month, this event brings together opera productions, ballet performances, symphony concerts and recitals, attracting artists and audiences from all over the world. The 2026 edition will notably feature several new productions as well as a wide range of works from the classical and contemporary repertoire.

From 21 to 28 June, the city of Poznań will host the 36th Malta Festival, featuring a multidisciplinary programme combining theatre, dance, music, film, literature and artistic performances across various venues throughout the city. True to its commitment to fostering dialogue between the arts and cultures, the event aims to encourage reflection on major contemporary issues. The festival, which takes its name from Lake Malta, continues to grow by showcasing leading international artists and reaffirming its ambition to transform urban spaces into places of creativity, exchange and civic engagement.

Until 13 September, the Rijksmuseum is hosting an exhibition dedicated to Ed van der Elsken, one of the most influential Dutch photographers of his generation. From his candid shots taken in Japan and Cuba in the 1950s to his 1980s photo book, the artist's entire body of work has, for the first time, been meticulously examined by the Nederlands Fotomuseum and the Rijksmuseum.

Until 13 December, the Capitoline Museums in Rome are hosting an exhibition on Mexican art. Featuring over 140 works, including 30 dedicated to a retrospective of the painter Diego Rivera, the exhibition showcases the work of the country's leading artists.