{"id":2145133,"date":"2026-09-15T06:30:12","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T03:30:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2145133"},"modified":"2026-09-15T06:30:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T03:30:12","slug":"france-ties-eu-sanctions-renewal-to-prisoner-release","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2145133","title":{"rendered":"France ties EU sanctions renewal to prisoner release"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/36\/70\/1200x675_cmsv2_ab35270f-32ba-5348-bebc-da1adb24f598-9913670.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2925790-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2925790\" data-cid=\"9913712\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925790-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/37\/12\/189x106_cmsv2_ccfaea67-6f6e-56be-9db7-767186ccb150-9913712.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"NATO fighter jets operate across the Baltic states\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    NATO &#8216;committed and ready&#8217; after shooting down drone over Lithuania\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925615-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2925615\" data-cid=\"9912966\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925615-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/29\/66\/189x106_cmsv2_4b5a48b0-6c2a-5653-8853-75eded3ff238-9912966.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Instagram app\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Leak: EU Commission to pitch social media restrictions for under-15s\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2924848-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2924848\" data-cid=\"9909563\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2924848-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/90\/95\/63\/189x106_cmsv2_42e743dd-4dc7-56d5-bcd7-b4af367b5eaf-9909563.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Europe Today\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump claims Russia-Ukraine energy truce, AI slowdown rattles markets\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925728-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2925728\" data-cid=\"9913460\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925728-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/34\/60\/189x106_cmsv2_28118a44-454c-56de-a322-22d7a82ca3a2-9913460.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"An injured Palestinian man is brought to Shifa Hospital after being wounded in an Israeli army airstrike in Gaza City\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    No Comment<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    At least two killed and tents destroyed in Israeli strikes on Gaza camps\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925790-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2925790\" data-cid=\"9913712\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925790-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/37\/12\/189x106_cmsv2_ccfaea67-6f6e-56be-9db7-767186ccb150-9913712.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"NATO fighter jets operate across the Baltic states\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    NATO &#8216;committed and ready&#8217; after shooting down drone over Lithuania\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925615-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2925615\" data-cid=\"9912966\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925615-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/29\/66\/189x106_cmsv2_4b5a48b0-6c2a-5653-8853-75eded3ff238-9912966.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Instagram app\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Leak: EU Commission to pitch social media restrictions for under-15s\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2924848-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2924848\" data-cid=\"9909563\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2924848-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/90\/95\/63\/189x106_cmsv2_42e743dd-4dc7-56d5-bcd7-b4af367b5eaf-9909563.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Europe Today\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump claims Russia-Ukraine energy truce, AI slowdown rattles markets\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925728-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2925728\" data-cid=\"9913460\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925728-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/34\/60\/189x106_cmsv2_28118a44-454c-56de-a322-22d7a82ca3a2-9913460.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"An injured Palestinian man is brought to Shifa Hospital after being wounded in an Israeli army airstrike in Gaza City\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    No Comment<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    At least two killed and tents destroyed in Israeli strikes on Gaza camps\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe Today<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            France ties EU sanctions renewal to prisoner release<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/36\/70\/1536x864_cmsv2_ab35270f-32ba-5348-bebc-da1adb24f598-9913670.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Slovakia&apos;s Prime Minister Robert Fico, right, and French President Emmanuel Macron during the EU summit at Alden Biesen Castle in Bilzen-Hoeselt, Belgium, Feb. 12, 2026\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Slovakia&#8217;s Prime Minister Robert Fico, right, and French President Emmanuel Macron during the EU summit at Alden Biesen Castle in Bilzen-Hoeselt, Belgium, Feb. 12, 2026<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">Omar Havana\/Copyright 2026 The AP. All rights reserved<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0Omar Havana\/Copyright 2026 The AP. All rights reserved\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspMared Gwyn Jones\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1789453812\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-09-15 08:30:12 +02:00\">15\/09\/2026 &#8211; 8:30 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div 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height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Good morning from Brussels. I\u2019m Mared Gwyn. Today: why France is holding up the renewal of the EU\u2019s sanctions list, and a teaser of Ursula von der Leyen\u2019s State of the European Union speech.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p><strong>But first, a scoop<\/strong>: The European Commission is set to propose restricting children\u2019s access to social media such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube while introducing safety requirements for online services like video games and AI chatbots, my colleague <strong>Luca Bertuzzi<\/strong> reports.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Under the proposal, due to be unveiled Thursday, minors under 15 years old would not be able to create their accounts on social media or video sharing platforms without their parents\u2019 approval, while tech companies would have to make their digital services safe by design, according to a confidential document obtained by Luca. <\/p>\n<p>The bill is set to feature in European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen\u2019s annual State of the Union address to the European Parliament tomorrow, and follows similar moves by several EU member states to tighten restrictions on children\u2019s access to social media.<\/p>\n<p><strong>EU sanctions deadlock:<\/strong> In other news, France is pressing for Russian-Uzbek businessman Alisher Usmanov to be <strong>removed from the EU sanctions list<\/strong> in an effort to secure the release of an unspecified number of French nationals detained in Azerbaijan, according to several officials and diplomats familiar with the negotiations who spoke to Euronews last night.<\/p>\n<p>France\u2019s demand \u2013 also backed by Slovakia, a rare joint effort that has baffled Brussels \u2013 forced EU ambassadors to agree to extend the existing sanctions for just one week until 22 September to give themselves more time to find a solution that has so far proven stubbornly elusive, my colleague <strong>Jorge Liboreiro<\/strong> writes in to report.<\/p>\n<p>The renewal of the sanctions relates to as many as 3,000 Russian individuals accused of supporting Russia&#8217;s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;France isn&#8217;t for budging, but it would send the absolute wrong message at the wrong time,&#8221; one official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. &#8220;I&#8217;m not sure what will change in a week.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Most member states remain opposed to removing names from the sanctions list while Russia continues its war in Ukraine and amid concerns over hybrid attacks in Europe.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2018National security\u2019<\/strong>: However, some officials acknowledge that France has cited national security concerns, a principle applied to critical issues. The French government declined to comment. &#8220;Everything has an explanation,&#8221; one diplomat said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Consultations will continue, and further discussions are expected to be held in due course,&#8221; a spokesperson for Ireland&#8217;s EU Council presidency said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Renewal of the listings is essential to continue undermining Russia&#8217;s war machine, and keeping the pressure on those individuals and entities supporting, enabling and benefitting from it. This is a priority for the Presidency.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>State of the Union countdown<\/strong>: Expectations are running high ahead of tomorrow\u2019s State of the Union speech by Ursula von der Leyen, and my colleagues <strong>Vincenzo Genovese<\/strong> and <strong>Luca Bertuzzi<\/strong>, currently en route to Strasbourg, have <strong>dug into<\/strong> the main topics set to feature.<\/p>\n<p>The annual address is known for its breadth and length, covering issues ranging from defence readiness to natural disasters while setting the agenda for the next legislative cycle through new policies, strategies, initiatives and action plans.<\/p>\n<p>Yet the sheer number of promises means some inevitably go unfulfilled, while others are quietly dropped or simply fall apart. Our team parsed over last year\u2019s speech to assess von der Leyen\u2019s performance. <strong>The results are defintely a mixed bag<\/strong><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>VDL\u2019s U-turn<\/strong>: A spokesperson for the European Commission confirmed last night that von der Leyen will attend the plenary on Thursday when Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the guest of honour at this plenary session, delivers his much-anticipated speech. <\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s despite the Commission initially saying the president would skip Carney\u2019s speech, despite the Canadian premier attending hers tomorrow. Von der Leyen\u2019s agenda was re-arranged to \u201cmake it possible\u201d, the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n<p><strong>EU-Canada renewal<\/strong>: Von der Leyen could flesh out in her speech her vision for a deeper relationship with Canada, EU officials say, after Carney publicly made the case for building a \u201cunique alliance\u201d between Brussels and Ottawa. Yet <strong>experts tell me<\/strong> that the revamped relationship is likely to be symbolic above all else, with deeper integration on trade and economics likely to require pain-staking negotiations.<\/p>\n<p><strong>In other news this morning<\/strong>: The European Commission Vice-President for social rights, <strong>Roxana M\u00eenzatu<\/strong>, has told Europe Today that a new EU platform on labour mobility set to be presented today will avoid \u201ctalented\u201d people \u201cwasting their skills\u201d when they move across EU borders.<\/p>\n<p>The Commission will later today unveil a new European platform designed to make it easier for Europeans to request, receive, and verify social security documents online. The aim is to address the difficulties Europeans face when their documents need to be recognised across borders, ensuring that their social security rights are fully upheld. <strong>Watch the full interview<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Ukraine\u2019s prosecutor general suspended after leaving country amid corruption scandal<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suspended Ukraine\u2019s Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko on Monday, hours after it emerged that he had left the country after resigning amid a major corruption probe that had reached his own office, <strong>Sasha Vakulina<\/strong><strong>reports<\/strong><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Kravchenko crossed the border overnight, according to Ukrainian media citing law-enforcement sources, and later released a video saying he had signed a notice of suspicion against Semen Kryvonos, director of Ukraine\u2019s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), whom he alleged had forged official documents to obtain an unlawful benefit.<\/p>\n<p>Kryvonos rejected the allegation and told reporters later on Monday that he had neither seen the notice nor been formally served with one.<\/p>\n<p>NABU and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor\u2019s Office (SAPO) described Kravchenko\u2019s actions as part of what they called a \u201csystematic attack\u201d on Ukraine\u2019s independent anti-corruption institutions.<\/p>\n<p>Zelenskyy intervened later on Monday, signing a decree suspending Kravchenko and asking parliament to dismiss him. \u201cThis prosecutor general has only one path ahead: dismissal from office,\u201d Zelenskyy said, urging lawmakers to act without delay. Lawmakers expected to vote on Kravchenko\u2019s dismissal on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>Read the <strong>full story<\/strong><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><strong>More from our newsrooms<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Parliament pushes tougher energy permit deadlines, setting up clash with EU countries.<\/strong> MEPs are pushing for tougher EU-wide deadlines and automatic approvals to speed up energy infrastructure, setting the stage for a clash with EU countries seeking more flexibility over how their national permitting systems work, according to an internal document seen by Euronews\u2019 Marta Pacheco. <strong>More<\/strong><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>EU trade chief to visit Manila to finalise Philippines trade deal.<\/strong> EU Trade Commissioner Maro\u0161 \u0160ef\u010dovi\u010d will visit Manila next week to finalise a trade agreement with the Philippines, the European Commission confirmed to Euronews\u2019 Peggy Corlin on Monday.<\/p>\n<p><strong>US Supreme Court rejects Trump mail ballot restrictions ahead of midterm election.<\/strong> US President Donald Trump&#8217;s attempt to limit mail-in ballots for the midterm elections was denied by the US Supreme Court on Monday, ending a flurry of last-minute legal action with voting already under way, Jeremy Fisayo-Bambi <strong>reports<\/strong><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><strong>We&#8217;re also keeping an eye on<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>European Council President <strong>Antonio Costa<\/strong> continues his whirlwind European tour; meets Austrian Chancellor <strong>Christian Stocker<\/strong> in Vienna, Italian Prime Minister <strong>Giorgia Meloni<\/strong> in Rome and French President <strong>Emmanuel Macron<\/strong> in Paris.<\/li>\n<li>The European Parliament plenary session continues in Strasbourg. MEPs debate the recent mass entry of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta at 13.00 CET, and the pompous funeral given to war criminal Ratko Mladi\u0107 in Belgrade at 14.00 CET.<\/li>\n<li>European Commissioner for Energy <strong>Dan J\u00f8rgensen<\/strong> participates in the G20 Ministerial Meeting on Energy in Houston, the US.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>That\u2019s it for today. Jorge Liboreiro, Sasha Vakulina, Shona Murray, Eleonora Vasques and Vincenzo Genovese contributed to this newsletter.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  The State of the Union lottery: What will Ursula von der Leyen say?<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  France seeks Usmanov delisting in bid to secure release of French nationals detained in Azerbaijan<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  State of the Union: Did von der Leyen make good on last year&#8217;s promises?<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  EU sanctions against Russia<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Ursula von der Leyen<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  State of the union (EU)<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tp-vuukle\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__header\"><span class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__title\">Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2925557-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925557\" data-cid=\"9912666\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925557-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/26\/66\/320x180_cmsv2_580b8b20-6182-5e5e-86c9-44b66295dbbf-9912666.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ursula von der Leyen is at her sixth State of the Union speech\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The State of the Union lottery: What will Ursula von der Leyen say?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2924647-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2924647\" data-cid=\"9908679\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2924647-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/90\/86\/79\/320x180_cmsv2_be91c2ad-0896-57eb-b0e4-6526ab620d6e-9908679.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers a press statement at EU headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU \u2018paying twice\u2019 for fossil fuel dependence. Will we ever break free?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2925615-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925615\" data-cid=\"9912966\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925615-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/29\/66\/320x180_cmsv2_4b5a48b0-6c2a-5653-8853-75eded3ff238-9912966.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Instagram app\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Leak: EU Commission to pitch social media restrictions for under-15s<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2925790-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925790\" data-cid=\"9913712\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925790-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/37\/12\/320x180_cmsv2_ccfaea67-6f6e-56be-9db7-767186ccb150-9913712.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"NATO fighter jets operate across the Baltic states\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    NATO &#8216;committed and ready&#8217; after shooting down drone over Lithuania<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2924954-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2924954\" data-cid=\"9910223\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2924954-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/02\/23\/320x180_cmsv2_d3ff81ae-5357-58b3-af35-f0ede9e4d2ab-9910223.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE. European Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union Maria Lu\u00eds Albuquerque speaks during a media conference in Brussels, March 2025\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Here&#8217;s how much idle savings are costing Europeans every year<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-2\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-most-viewed\">\n<h2 class=\"c-most-viewed__title qa-section-title\">Most read<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__list\">\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2924086-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2924086\" data-cid=\"9905857\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Retired wind turbines are turning into tiny homes and alpine skis<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span 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tensions at BRICS summit<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-3\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925557-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925557\" data-cid=\"9912666\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925557-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/26\/66\/320x180_cmsv2_580b8b20-6182-5e5e-86c9-44b66295dbbf-9912666.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ursula von der Leyen is at her sixth State of the Union speech\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The State of the Union lottery: What will Ursula von der Leyen say?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2924647-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2924647\" data-cid=\"9908679\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2924647-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/90\/86\/79\/320x180_cmsv2_be91c2ad-0896-57eb-b0e4-6526ab620d6e-9908679.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers a press statement at EU headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU \u2018paying twice\u2019 for fossil fuel dependence. Will we ever break free?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925615-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925615\" data-cid=\"9912966\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925615-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/29\/66\/320x180_cmsv2_4b5a48b0-6c2a-5653-8853-75eded3ff238-9912966.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Instagram app\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Leak: EU Commission to pitch social media restrictions for under-15s<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925790-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925790\" data-cid=\"9913712\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925790-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/37\/12\/320x180_cmsv2_ccfaea67-6f6e-56be-9db7-767186ccb150-9913712.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"NATO fighter jets operate across the Baltic states\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    NATO &#8216;committed and ready&#8217; after shooting down drone over Lithuania<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2924954-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2924954\" data-cid=\"9910223\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2924954-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/02\/23\/320x180_cmsv2_d3ff81ae-5357-58b3-af35-f0ede9e4d2ab-9910223.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE. European Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union Maria Lu\u00eds Albuquerque speaks during a media conference in Brussels, March 2025\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Here&#8217;s how much idle savings are costing Europeans every year<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2924086-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2924086\" data-cid=\"9905857\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Retired wind turbines are turning into tiny homes and alpine skis<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2924891-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2924891\" data-cid=\"9909903\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ceuta crisis drives EU towards tougher migration stance<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925373-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925373\" data-cid=\"9911858\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Canada eyes \u2018associate member\u2019 status with EU amid US tensions<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925533-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925533\" data-cid=\"9912478\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Amateur goalie says no to throne, kicking off succession row in Uganda<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925317-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925317\" data-cid=\"9911645\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    UAE and Iran discuss easing tensions at BRICS summit<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">But first, a scoop: The European Commission is set to propose restricting children\u2019s access to social media such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube while introducing safety requirements for online services like video games and AI chatbots, my colleague Luca Bertuzzi reports.Under the proposal, due to be unveiled Thursday, minors under 15 years old would not be able to create their accounts on social media or video sharing platforms without their parents\u2019 approval, while tech companies would have to make their digital services safe by design, according to a confidential document obtained by Luca.\u00a0The bill is set to feature in European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen\u2019s annual State of the Union address to the European Parliament tomorrow, and follows similar moves by several EU member states to tighten restrictions on children\u2019s access to social media.EU sanctions deadlock: In other news, France is pressing for Russian-Uzbek businessman Alisher Usmanov to be removed from the EU sanctions list in an effort to secure the release of an unspecified number of French nationals detained in Azerbaijan, according to several officials and diplomats familiar with the negotiations who spoke to Euronews last night.France\u2019s demand \u2013 also backed by Slovakia, a rare joint effort that has baffled Brussels \u2013 forced EU ambassadors to agree to extend the existing sanctions for just one week until 22 September to give themselves more time to find a solution that has so far proven stubbornly elusive, my colleague Jorge Liboreiro writes in to report.The renewal of the sanctions relates to as many as 3,000 Russian individuals accused of supporting Russia&#8217;s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.\u00a0&#8220;France isn&#8217;t for budging, but it would send the absolute wrong message at the wrong time,&#8221; one official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. &#8220;I&#8217;m not sure what will change in a week.&#8221;Most member states remain opposed to removing names from the sanctions list while Russia continues its war in Ukraine and amid concerns over hybrid attacks in Europe.\u2018National security\u2019: However, some officials acknowledge that France has cited national security concerns, a principle applied to critical issues. The French government declined to comment. &#8220;Everything has an explanation,&#8221; one diplomat said.&#8221;Consultations will continue, and further discussions are expected to be held in due course,&#8221; a spokesperson for Ireland&#8217;s EU Council presidency said.&#8221;Renewal of the listings is essential to continue undermining Russia&#8217;s war machine, and keeping the pressure on those individuals and entities supporting, enabling and benefitting from it. This is a priority for the Presidency.&#8221;State of the Union countdown: Expectations are running high ahead of tomorrow\u2019s State of the Union speech by Ursula von der Leyen, and my colleagues Vincenzo Genovese and Luca Bertuzzi, currently en route to Strasbourg, have dug into the main topics set to feature.The annual address is known for its breadth and length, covering issues ranging from defence readiness to natural disasters while setting the agenda for the next legislative cycle through new policies, strategies, initiatives and action plans.Yet the sheer number of promises means some inevitably go unfulfilled, while others are quietly dropped or simply fall apart. Our team parsed over last year\u2019s speech to assess von der Leyen\u2019s performance. The results are defintely a mixed bag.VDL\u2019s U-turn: A spokesperson for the European Commission confirmed last night that von der Leyen will attend the plenary on Thursday when Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the guest of honour at this plenary session, delivers his much-anticipated speech.\u00a0That\u2019s despite the Commission initially saying the president would skip Carney\u2019s speech, despite the Canadian premier attending hers tomorrow. Von der Leyen\u2019s agenda was re-arranged to \u201cmake it possible\u201d, the spokesperson said.EU-Canada renewal: Von der Leyen could flesh out in her speech her vision for a deeper relationship with Canada, EU officials say, after Carney publicly made the case for building a \u201cunique alliance\u201d between Brussels and Ottawa. Yet experts tell me that the revamped relationship is likely to be symbolic above all else, with deeper integration on trade and economics likely to require pain-staking negotiations.In other news this morning: The European Commission Vice-President for social rights, Roxana M\u00eenzatu, has told Europe Today that a new EU platform on labour mobility set to be presented today will avoid \u201ctalented\u201d people \u201cwasting their skills\u201d when they move across EU borders.The Commission will later today unveil a new European platform designed to make it easier for Europeans to request, receive, and verify social security documents online. The aim is to address the difficulties Europeans face when their documents need to be recognised across borders, ensuring that their social security rights are fully upheld. Watch the full interview.Ukraine\u2019s prosecutor general suspended after leaving country amid corruption scandalUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suspended Ukraine\u2019s Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko on Monday, hours after it emerged that he had left the country after resigning amid a major corruption probe that had reached his own office, Sasha Vakulina reports.Kravchenko crossed the border overnight, according to Ukrainian media citing law-enforcement sources, and later released a video saying he had signed a notice of suspicion against Semen Kryvonos, director of Ukraine\u2019s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), whom he alleged had forged official documents to obtain an unlawful benefit.Kryvonos rejected the allegation and told reporters later on Monday that he had neither seen the notice nor been formally served with one.NABU and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor\u2019s Office (SAPO) described Kravchenko\u2019s actions as part of what they called a \u201csystematic attack\u201d on Ukraine\u2019s independent anti-corruption institutions.Zelenskyy intervened later on Monday, signing a decree suspending Kravchenko and asking parliament to dismiss him. \u201cThis prosecutor general has only one path ahead: dismissal from office,\u201d Zelenskyy said, urging lawmakers to act without delay. Lawmakers expected to vote on Kravchenko\u2019s dismissal on Tuesday.Read the full story.More from our newsroomsParliament pushes tougher energy permit deadlines, setting up clash with EU countries. MEPs are pushing for tougher EU-wide deadlines and automatic approvals to speed up energy infrastructure, setting the stage for a clash with EU countries seeking more flexibility over how their national permitting systems work, according to an internal document seen by Euronews\u2019 Marta Pacheco. More.EU trade chief to visit Manila to finalise Philippines trade deal. EU Trade Commissioner Maro\u0161 \u0160ef\u010dovi\u010d will visit Manila next week to finalise a trade agreement with the Philippines, the European Commission confirmed to Euronews\u2019 Peggy Corlin on Monday.US Supreme Court rejects Trump mail ballot restrictions ahead of midterm election. US President Donald Trump&#8217;s attempt to limit mail-in ballots for the midterm elections was denied by the US Supreme Court on Monday, ending a flurry of last-minute legal action with voting already under way, Jeremy Fisayo-Bambi reports.We&#8217;re also keeping an eye onEuropean Council President Antonio Costa continues his whirlwind European tour; meets Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker in Vienna, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.The European Parliament plenary session continues in Strasbourg. MEPs debate the recent mass entry of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta at 13.00 CET, and the pompous funeral given to war criminal Ratko Mladi\u0107 in Belgrade at 14.00 CET.European Commissioner for Energy Dan J\u00f8rgensen participates in the G20 Ministerial Meeting on Energy in Houston, the US.That\u2019s it for today. Jorge Liboreiro, Sasha Vakulina, Shona Murray, Eleonora Vasques and Vincenzo Genovese contributed to this newsletter.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/09\/15\/france-ties-eu-sanctions-renewal-to-prisoner-release&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/36\/70\/1200x675_cmsv2_ab35270f-32ba-5348-bebc-da1adb24f598-9913670.jpg&#8221;] Europe News NATO &#8216;committed and ready&#8217; after shooting down drone over Lithuania Europe News Leak: EU Commission to pitch social media restrictions for under-15s Europe Today Trump claims Russia-Ukraine energy truce, AI slowdown rattles markets No Comment At least two killed and tents destroyed in Israeli strikes on Gaza camps Europe News [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2145133","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2145133","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2145133"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2145133\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2145133"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2145133"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2145133"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}