On 15 January, the European Commission presented an analysis comparing EU expenditure between 2024 and 2025. While this report notes a decline in overall expenditure, Member States continued to focus on the key priorities set by the European Union, devoting nearly 90% of their state aid to environmental protection, energy, research and innovation, and regional development, reflecting a clear reorientation of resources towards the Union's strategic policies. At the same time, crisis aid measures related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the Covid-19 pandemic continued to be phased out, in line with the objectives of returning to more structured budgetary management.

On 15 January, the European Commission visited Cyprus, travelling along the United Nations ceasefire line, known as the "Green Line". As part of Cyprus' Presidency of the Council of the European Union, this symbolic gesture underlines the shared commitment of Cyprus and the European Union to peace, stability and the search for a lasting solution to the Cyprus issue, in a context where the island has remained divided for almost 50 years. Since the Turkish invasion in July 1974, Cyprus has been the only EU Member State still divided due to foreign military occupation.

On 16 January, ministers adopted an amendment to the regulation governing the activities of the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC). This amendment extends the objectives to facilitate the creation of artificial intelligence gigafactories in Europe and establishes a pillar specifically dedicated to quantum technologies. It also sets rules for funding and procurement, while preserving the interests of start-ups and scale-ups. The regulation will enter into force on 20 January.

On 16 January, the Council extended restrictive measures against those who support, facilitate or enable violent actions by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad for one year, until 20 January 2027. The designated entities are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are prohibited from making funds available to them. The individuals are also subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU Member States.

The first round of the Portuguese presidential election on 18 January saw Antonio José Seguro (PS, 31.11%) and André Ventura (Chega, 23.52%) qualify for a second round, the first since 1976, which will be held on 8 February. Voter turnout reached 52.35%, a significant increase. Henrique Gouveia e Melo (independent, 16%) and João Cotrim Figueiredo (Liberal Initiative, 12.32%) complete the top four, while the ruling party's candidate, Luís Marques Mendes, came in fifth.

Since 2023, the Schuman Network has been working with 22 organisations from 13 European countries. With nearly 196 shared publications, the Schuman Network strives to promote cooperation between European research centres with a view to sharing reliable, high-quality analysis. Through this work, the Schuman Network affirms its role as an essential platform for strengthening intellectual cooperation and supporting democratic resilience in Europe.

On 15 January, French President Emmanuel Macron presented his New Year's greetings to the armed forces in Istres. On this occasion, he outlined his policy directions for national defence. The military programming law, updated in 2026, sets out three priorities: increasing stocks of all types of ammunition and strengthening the operational readiness of the armed forces, guaranteeing national sovereignty, and improving and modernising the army model in the short term. This speech also provided an opportunity to highlight France's international role by reiterating the need to work hand in hand with our European partners, particularly in protecting Greenland.

Trump's insistence on acquiring Greenland appears to be a risky initiative, widely rejected in the United States and deemed unacceptable by Europeans. This provocation has prompted the European Union to respond firmly by mobilising economic, legal and commercial tools capable of exerting significant pressure on the United States. The Europeans seem ready to defend their interests without escalation, relying on a measured but resolute response.

On 16 January, the Italian government presented a strategic document on Italy's policy for the Arctic. Entitled 'Italy and the Arctic: the values of cooperation in a rapidly changing region' and developed throughout 2025, this report highlights Italy's historic role in the region and sets out a long-term vision focused on security, scientific research and economic development. It reiterates Italy's strategic commitment to an Arctic undergoing transformation and geopolitical competition, reconciling security, prosperity and diplomacy, while promoting multilateral governance that respects international law.

On 17 January, the International Charlemagne Prize organisation announced that the 2026 winner of this prestigious award was Italian Mario Draghi. This award, presented annually since 1950, celebrates efforts to promote cooperation, solidarity and unity among European states, values that are fundamental to addressing contemporary geopolitical challenges. The award ceremony will take place in May in Aachen.

On 14 January, the World Economic Forum published the 21st edition of its Global Risks Report 2026, assessing the main global risks in the short and long term. For 2026, geo-economic confrontation is the main risk likely to trigger a major crisis, in a global context marked by increased competition between major powers for access to markets, resources and supply chains, which will weaken the international order and fuel persistent economic uncertainty.

On 17 January, the treaty on the high seas came into force. Officially known as the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), this legally binding United Nations treaty covers ocean areas beyond territorial waters ('high seas') and international seabeds. It is the first binding legal instrument relating to the oceans that provides for ocean governance, with provisions for the participation of indigenous peoples and local communities. After two decades of talks that began in 2004, the Member States of the United Nations (UN) adopted the agreement on the International Treaty for the Protection of the High Seas on 19 June 2023.

On 16 January, as part of the centenary celebrations of the strategic partnership between the United Kingdom and Ukraine, London unveiled measures aimed at deepening cooperation and strengthening stability between the two countries. On this occasion, the United Kingdom confirmed £20 million in aid to strengthen Ukraine's energy infrastructure as the country faces the harsh winter. In addition, London announced the extension of its school twinning programme, which will benefit more than 54,000 students in both countries, once again demonstrating the UK's ongoing commitment to a strong partnership, enhanced mutual security and a prosperous future for generations to come.