{"id":2159847,"date":"2026-09-23T06:35:09","date_gmt":"2026-09-23T03:35:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2159847"},"modified":"2026-09-23T06:35:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T03:35:09","slug":"sanctions-showdown-leaves-a-bad-taste-as-latvia-cautions-against-normalising-russia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2159847","title":{"rendered":"Sanctions showdown leaves a bad taste as Latvia cautions against &#8216;normalising&#8217; Russia"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/40\/80\/1200x675_cmsv2_9230f8f7-3f65-5b98-aaee-cadcd3a1c1eb-9924080.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2928178-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2928178\" data-cid=\"9925473\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928178-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\/92\/54\/73\/189x106_cmsv2_662447ac-a1d8-5c67-b5e6-f0f4c06840cc-9925473.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ukraine&apos;s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters. 23 September 2026\" 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>    Zelenskyy calls for continued pressure on Russia at UNGA\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928056-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2928056\" data-cid=\"9925190\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928056-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\/92\/49\/09\/189x106_cmsv2_40ac2e97-a60f-5304-9b4f-dc00e1190b72-9924909.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Maricarmen, who is 87-years-old. Pictured speaking to media on the street. \" 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>    Spain: Protests after 87-year-old woman evicted from home by force\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928092-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2928092\" data-cid=\"9925305\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928092-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\/92\/50\/36\/189x106_cmsv2_8b84ca08-5d39-5697-82ec-76181e56a81c-9925036.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Pope Leo XIV will be visiting France from 25 to 28 September.\" 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>    Day devoted to the Pope in French Catholic schools sparks controversy\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927986-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2927986\" data-cid=\"9924617\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2927986-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\/92\/46\/17\/189x106_cmsv2_a0864b7d-4484-547d-a208-7d8e0954a403-9924617.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Ring in Athens\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    The Ring<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Who can afford to live in Greece? The Ring in Athens\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928178-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2928178\" data-cid=\"9925473\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928178-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\/92\/54\/73\/189x106_cmsv2_662447ac-a1d8-5c67-b5e6-f0f4c06840cc-9925473.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ukraine&apos;s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters. 23 September 2026\" 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>    Zelenskyy calls for continued pressure on Russia at UNGA\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928056-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2928056\" data-cid=\"9925190\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928056-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\/92\/49\/09\/189x106_cmsv2_40ac2e97-a60f-5304-9b4f-dc00e1190b72-9924909.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Maricarmen, who is 87-years-old. Pictured speaking to media on the street. \" 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>    Spain: Protests after 87-year-old woman evicted from home by force\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928092-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2928092\" data-cid=\"9925305\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928092-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\/92\/50\/36\/189x106_cmsv2_8b84ca08-5d39-5697-82ec-76181e56a81c-9925036.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Pope Leo XIV will be visiting France from 25 to 28 September.\" 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>    Day devoted to the Pope in French Catholic schools sparks controversy\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927986-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=\"2927986\" data-cid=\"9924617\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2927986-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\/92\/46\/17\/189x106_cmsv2_a0864b7d-4484-547d-a208-7d8e0954a403-9924617.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Ring in Athens\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    The Ring<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Who can afford to live in Greece? The Ring in Athens\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                            Sanctions showdown leaves a bad taste as Latvia cautions against &#8216;normalising&#8217; Russia<\/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\/92\/40\/80\/1536x864_cmsv2_9230f8f7-3f65-5b98-aaee-cadcd3a1c1eb-9924080.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"French President Emmanuel Macron, left, greets Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs ahead of the Coalition of the Willing summit \"><\/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              French President Emmanuel Macron, left, greets Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs ahead of the Coalition of the Willing summit<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\">Teresa Suarez\/Teresa Suarez\/EPA Pool via AP<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0Teresa Suarez\/Teresa Suarez\/EPA Pool via AP\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&amp;nbsp&amp;&amp;nbspAngela Skujins\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1790145309\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-09-23 08:35:09 +02:00\">23\/09\/2026 &#8211; 8:35 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 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loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Good morning. This is Mared Gwyn, authoring today\u2019s newsletter along with my colleague Angela Skujins, who\u2019s live on your screens this morning. Today: how a Russia sanctions showdown is leaving a bad taste, and why Brussels is facing mounting pressure to address the energy crunch.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p><strong>David vs Goliath:<\/strong> Latvian Prime Minister <strong>Andris Kulbergs<\/strong> has criticised the EU for \u201ccherry-picking\u201d sanctions on Moscow in a move he says \u201cnormalises Russia\u201d, after his small Baltic nation showed its teeth yesterday while opposing a push to remove two oligarchs from the EU\u2019s blacklist.<\/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><strong><em>Reminder:<\/em><\/strong> EU heavyweight France had stunned EU diplomats by pushing to remove Uzbek-Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov from the sanctions list as part of a prisoner release deal with Azerbaijan. Slovakia had also been lobbying to remove a second businessman, Mikhail Fridman, from the list.<\/p>\n<p>Latvia fiercely opposed the move hours before a looming deadline on the sanctions\u2019 renewal yesterday. The Baltic nation finally allowed both men to be delisted to avoid torpedoing the entire deal, which was needed to renew sanctions on some 2,600 individuals. My colleague <strong>Jorge Liboreiro<\/strong> has <strong>the details.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Speaking exclusively to my colleague <strong>Angela Skujins,<\/strong> Prime Minister Kulbergs said he had eventually dropped his opposition because &#8220;we all understood it is not worth risking&#8221; the whole EU sanctions package.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sending the wrong message:<\/strong> \u201cI\u2019m worried about the playbook which it leaves,\u201d Kulbergs cautioned, however, adding: \u201cThis is normalising Russia.\u201d <strong>Watch<\/strong><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Low energy:<\/strong> Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron has asked Brussels to take emergency steps to boost Europe\u2019s diesel and jet fuel supply, according to a letter seen by Euronews\u2019 energy reporter <strong>Marta Pacheco<\/strong>. <\/p>\n<p>The communiqu\u00e9 comes as the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz and renewed attacks on energy infrastructure in the Middle East threaten to further tighten global oil markets.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;In recent weeks, international supply has deteriorated once again, driven by the combined impact of the targeting of energy infrastructure \u2014 in Russia and the Middle East \u2014 and the recovery of consumption in Asia,&#8221; reads the letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and sent on 18 September. <\/p>\n<p>The EU executive in Brussels acknowledged yesterday it had received the letter, but stayed silent on which measures it would be tabling.<\/p>\n<p><strong>EU holds firm on Chinese power inverter phase-out<\/strong>: Meanwhile, the Commission will not extend its 1 November deadline for phasing out Chinese-made power inverters from EU-funded energy projects, despite calls from investors and the renewable energy industry for more time, my colleague <strong>Luca Bertuzzi<\/strong><strong>writes<\/strong> this morning.<\/p>\n<p>Industry groups and institutional investors had hoped Brussels would delay the deadline amid concerns over the availability and cost of alternatives. But EU officials told Euronews the Commission intends to stick to its timetable.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Today in New York<\/strong>: European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka \u0160uica is set to announce the signing of two recovery projects for Gaza worth a total of $50 million (\u20ac43.7 million), my colleague <strong>Eleonora Vasques<\/strong> reports. The announcement will be made on the margins of the UN General Assembly.<\/p>\n<p>UN agencies will implement the projects to provide essential services (water, sanitation and waste management) in the Strip. The projects are part of the \u201cTeam Gaza Initiative,\u201d launched by the European Commission in July at the Palestine Donor Group meeting, which raised $1 billion (roughly \u20ac875 million) to support Gaza.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Greenland deal<\/strong>: Meanwhile in New York on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and Greenland PM Jens-Frederik Nielsen signed a deal allowing the US to expand its military presence on Greenland through the modernisation and enlargement of its current Pituffik Space Base and the establishment of new defence areas at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018<strong>Win-win-win\u2019:<\/strong> The deal has been described as a win for all sides, and a crucial step in assuaging trans-Atlantic tensions that flared in the wake of Trump\u2019s threats to annex the Arctic island. Nathan Rennolds has <strong>the details<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Morocco elects:<\/strong> Some 15.8 million registered voters are expected to head to the polls today to elect Morocco\u2019s new parliament. This is the first political contest in the North African kingdom since locals protested against corruption in 2025. <\/p>\n<p><strong>What is on the ballot:<\/strong> Political commentators are watching to see how locals cast their ballots regarding issues such as the economy, the country\u2019s plans to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, and whether they will be swayed by July&#8217;s 80,000-person mass border crossing into the Spanish territory of Ceuta, which saw over a hundred people lose their lives.<\/p>\n<p>The vote comes a day after one of the EU\u2019s most powerful parliamentarians, Manfred Weber from the centre-right European People\u2019s Party, <strong>lashed out while visiting Ceuta<\/strong>, calling on the Moroccan government to take back all irregular migrants. <\/p>\n<p>On Monday, Spain&#8217;s Youth Minister Sira Rego said <strong>most underage migrants<\/strong> who entered Ceuta will not be returned. It\u2019s estimated that of the 5,000\u201310,000 Moroccans whi remain in Ceuta, half are unaccompanied minors.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Exclusive: EU countries sound alarm over weapons brought back from Ukraine front line<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Soldiers returning from the front line in Ukraine are bringing back weapons and military equipment, raising concerns that battlefield components could start circulating within the European Union, according to a confidential EU document seen by Euronews. The risk of firearms being diverted from the battlefield will be discussed by EU ambassadors on Wednesday, as European authorities step up efforts to track weapons entering the bloc.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Member states have reported weapon components and military equipment in the possession of returning combatants,&#8221; reads the EU Council document, which focuses on the war in Ukraine&#8217;s impact on EU internal security.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;While not necessarily connecting these individuals to organised smuggling activities, these detections demonstrate a potential risk of military components or other battlefield equipment being transported from Ukraine into the EU,&#8221; the document continues.<\/p>\n<p>Luca Bertuzzi has this <strong>exclusive piece of reporting.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><strong>More from our newsrooms<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>ECB calls for tougher EU crypto rules and wider ban on stablecoin interest.<\/strong> Europe&#8217;s central banks want the EU&#8217;s crypto rules tightened, calling for a wider ban on interest payments on stablecoins, new powers to curb tokens pegged to foreign currencies such as the US dollar, and EU-level supervision of crypto firms. Quirino Mealha and Eleonora Vasques have the latest.<\/p>\n<p><strong>British Prime Minister Andy Burnham declines to rule out rejoining EU.<\/strong> The 2016 Brexit vote has proved tricky to shake off for many in the United Kingdom, including among the new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham. According to UK media reports, he has declined to rule out including a pledge to rejoin the European Union in Labour&#8217;s next election manifesto. Nathan Rennolds has the <strong>story<\/strong><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Weber warns Morocco of &#8216;obvious consequences&#8217; over Ceuta border crisis.<\/strong> European People\u2019s Party (EPP) leader Manfred Weber warned that Morocco could face \u201cobvious consequences\u201d if the border with the Spanish exclave of Ceuta could not be stabilised, raising the prospect of further \u201cuncontrolled situations\u201d following the arrival of around 80,000 irregular migrants at the end of July. Vincenzo Genovese has the story.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>We&#8217;re also keeping an eye on<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>European Commissioner for Trade Maro\u0161 \u0160ef\u010dovi\u010d meets with US Ambassador to the European Union Andrew Puzder.<\/li>\n<li>European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka \u0160uica attends a briefing of the Board of Peace at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.<\/li>\n<li>European Commission Executive Vice-President Roxana M\u00eenzatu meets Acting US Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling.<\/li>\n<li>EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas speaks at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine in New York City.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>That\u2019s it for today. Luca Bertuzzi, Jorge Liboreiro, Marta Pacheco and Eleonora Vasques 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>                  &#8216;Cherry-picking sanctions&#8217; risks &#8216;normalising&#8217; Russia, Latvian PM says amid Usmanov row<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  EU renews Russia sanctions but removes Usmanov at France&#8217;s request<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  EU-Morocco migration issue needs a \u2018creative solution\u2019, expert says<\/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  European Union<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Energy<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Sanctions<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-2928112-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928112\" data-cid=\"9925371\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928112-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\/92\/53\/71\/320x180_cmsv2_fde5fe82-f1c7-5091-b65b-61329d786eca-9925371.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Iran&apos;s President Masoud Pezeshkian holds an image of late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the 81st session of the General Assembly at UN headquarters, 23 September 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Pezeshkian tells UN Iran will not be bullied but will negotiate<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2928056-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928056\" data-cid=\"9925190\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928056-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\/92\/49\/09\/320x180_cmsv2_40ac2e97-a60f-5304-9b4f-dc00e1190b72-9924909.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Maricarmen, who is 87-years-old. Pictured speaking to media on the street. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spain: Protests after 87-year-old woman evicted from home by force<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2928178-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928178\" data-cid=\"9925473\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928178-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\/92\/54\/73\/320x180_cmsv2_662447ac-a1d8-5c67-b5e6-f0f4c06840cc-9925473.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ukraine&apos;s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters. 23 September 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Zelenskyy calls for continued pressure on Russia at UNGA<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2928092-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928092\" data-cid=\"9925305\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928092-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\/92\/50\/36\/320x180_cmsv2_8b84ca08-5d39-5697-82ec-76181e56a81c-9925036.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Pope Leo XIV will be visiting France from 25 to 28 September.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Day devoted to the Pope in French Catholic schools sparks controversy<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2928081-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928081\" data-cid=\"9925177\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928081-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\/92\/49\/87\/320x180_cmsv2_9e36682d-2934-5d0c-99d3-1c614fee00a1-9924987.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A Russian Mi-8 helicopter crossed the Polish border.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russian military helicopter violates Polish airspace<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-2927863-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=\"2927863\" data-cid=\"9924049\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    El Ni\u00f1o transforms Atacama desert as thousands of hectares burst into bloom<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2927980-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927980\" data-cid=\"9924515\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Taylor Swift announces new single \u2018Patient Zero\u2019 &#8211; and faces backlash for cover art<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2927504-pos3-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=\"2927504\" data-cid=\"9922016\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Fuel taxes in Europe: Which country taxes petrol the most?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2927773-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927773\" data-cid=\"9923538\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;I&#8217;m done with medical abuse&#8217;: actor Arnaud Denis dies by euthanasia in Belgium<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">5<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2927726-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927726\" data-cid=\"9923181\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Exclusive: EU sounds alarm over weapons brought back from Ukraine<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-2928112-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928112\" data-cid=\"9925371\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928112-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\/92\/53\/71\/320x180_cmsv2_fde5fe82-f1c7-5091-b65b-61329d786eca-9925371.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Iran&apos;s President Masoud Pezeshkian holds an image of late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the 81st session of the General Assembly at UN headquarters, 23 September 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Pezeshkian tells UN Iran will not be bullied but will negotiate<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928056-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928056\" data-cid=\"9925190\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928056-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\/92\/49\/09\/320x180_cmsv2_40ac2e97-a60f-5304-9b4f-dc00e1190b72-9924909.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Maricarmen, who is 87-years-old. Pictured speaking to media on the street. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spain: Protests after 87-year-old woman evicted from home by force<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928178-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928178\" data-cid=\"9925473\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928178-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\/92\/54\/73\/320x180_cmsv2_662447ac-a1d8-5c67-b5e6-f0f4c06840cc-9925473.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ukraine&apos;s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters. 23 September 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Zelenskyy calls for continued pressure on Russia at UNGA<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928092-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928092\" data-cid=\"9925305\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928092-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\/92\/50\/36\/320x180_cmsv2_8b84ca08-5d39-5697-82ec-76181e56a81c-9925036.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Pope Leo XIV will be visiting France from 25 to 28 September.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Day devoted to the Pope in French Catholic schools sparks controversy<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928081-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928081\" data-cid=\"9925177\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928081-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\/92\/49\/87\/320x180_cmsv2_9e36682d-2934-5d0c-99d3-1c614fee00a1-9924987.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A Russian Mi-8 helicopter crossed the Polish border.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russian military helicopter violates Polish airspace<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927863-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=\"2927863\" data-cid=\"9924049\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    El Ni\u00f1o transforms Atacama desert as thousands of hectares burst into bloom<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927980-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927980\" data-cid=\"9924515\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Taylor Swift announces new single \u2018Patient Zero\u2019 &#8211; and faces backlash for cover art<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927504-pos3-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=\"2927504\" data-cid=\"9922016\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Fuel taxes in Europe: Which country taxes petrol the most?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927773-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927773\" data-cid=\"9923538\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;I&#8217;m done with medical abuse&#8217;: actor Arnaud Denis dies by euthanasia in Belgium<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927726-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927726\" data-cid=\"9923181\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Exclusive: EU sounds alarm over weapons brought back from Ukraine<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">David vs Goliath: Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has criticised the EU for \u201ccherry-picking\u201d sanctions on Moscow in a move he says \u201cnormalises Russia\u201d, after his small Baltic nation showed its teeth yesterday while opposing a push to remove two oligarchs from the EU\u2019s blacklist.Reminder: EU heavyweight France had stunned EU diplomats by pushing to remove Uzbek-Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov from the sanctions list as part of a prisoner release deal with Azerbaijan. Slovakia had also been lobbying to remove a second businessman, Mikhail Fridman, from the list.Latvia fiercely opposed the move hours before a looming deadline on the sanctions\u2019 renewal yesterday. The Baltic nation finally allowed both men to be delisted to avoid torpedoing the entire deal, which was needed to renew sanctions on some 2,600 individuals. My colleague Jorge Liboreiro has the details.Speaking exclusively to my colleague Angela Skujins, Prime Minister Kulbergs said he had eventually dropped his opposition because &#8220;we all understood it is not worth risking&#8221; the whole EU sanctions package.Sending the wrong message: \u201cI\u2019m worried about the playbook which it leaves,\u201d Kulbergs cautioned, however, adding: \u201cThis is normalising Russia.\u201d Watch.Low energy: Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron has asked Brussels to take emergency steps to boost Europe\u2019s diesel and jet fuel supply, according to a letter seen by Euronews\u2019 energy reporter Marta Pacheco.\u00a0The communiqu\u00e9 comes as the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz and renewed attacks on energy infrastructure in the Middle East threaten to further tighten global oil markets.&#8221;In recent weeks, international supply has deteriorated once again, driven by the combined impact of the targeting of energy infrastructure \u2014 in Russia and the Middle East \u2014 and the recovery of consumption in Asia,&#8221; reads the letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and sent on 18 September.\u00a0The EU executive in Brussels acknowledged yesterday it had received the letter, but stayed silent on which measures it would be tabling.EU holds firm on Chinese power inverter phase-out: Meanwhile, the Commission will not extend its 1 November deadline for phasing out Chinese-made power inverters from EU-funded energy projects, despite calls from investors and the renewable energy industry for more time, my colleague Luca Bertuzzi writes this morning.Industry groups and institutional investors had hoped Brussels would delay the deadline amid concerns over the availability and cost of alternatives. But EU officials told Euronews the Commission intends to stick to its timetable.Today in New York: European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka \u0160uica is set to announce the signing of two recovery projects for Gaza worth a total of $50 million (\u20ac43.7 million), my colleague Eleonora Vasques reports. The announcement will be made on the margins of the UN General Assembly.UN agencies will implement the projects to provide essential services (water, sanitation and waste management) in the Strip. The projects are part of the \u201cTeam Gaza Initiative,\u201d launched by the European Commission in July at the Palestine Donor Group meeting, which raised $1 billion (roughly \u20ac875 million) to support Gaza.Greenland deal: Meanwhile in New York on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and Greenland PM Jens-Frederik Nielsen signed a deal allowing the US to expand its military presence on Greenland through the modernisation and enlargement of its current Pituffik Space Base and the establishment of new defence areas at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig.\u2018Win-win-win\u2019: The deal has been described as a win for all sides, and a crucial step in assuaging trans-Atlantic tensions that flared in the wake of Trump\u2019s threats to annex the Arctic island. Nathan Rennolds has the details.Morocco elects: Some 15.8 million registered voters are expected to head to the polls today to elect Morocco\u2019s new parliament. This is the first political contest in the North African kingdom since locals protested against corruption in 2025.\u00a0What is on the ballot: Political commentators are watching to see how locals cast their ballots regarding issues such as the economy, the country\u2019s plans to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, and whether they will be swayed by July&#8217;s 80,000-person mass border crossing into the Spanish territory of Ceuta, which saw over a hundred people lose their lives.The vote comes a day after one of the EU\u2019s most powerful parliamentarians, Manfred Weber from the centre-right European People\u2019s Party, lashed out while visiting Ceuta, calling on the Moroccan government to take back all irregular migrants.\u00a0On Monday, Spain&#8217;s Youth Minister Sira Rego said most underage migrants who entered Ceuta will not be returned. It\u2019s estimated that of the 5,000\u201310,000 Moroccans whi remain in Ceuta, half are unaccompanied minors.Exclusive: EU countries sound alarm over weapons brought back from Ukraine front lineSoldiers returning from the front line in Ukraine are bringing back weapons and military equipment, raising concerns that battlefield components could start circulating within the European Union, according to a confidential EU document seen by Euronews. The risk of firearms being diverted from the battlefield will be discussed by EU ambassadors on Wednesday, as European authorities step up efforts to track weapons entering the bloc.&#8221;Member states have reported weapon components and military equipment in the possession of returning combatants,&#8221; reads the EU Council document, which focuses on the war in Ukraine&#8217;s impact on EU internal security.&#8221;While not necessarily connecting these individuals to organised smuggling activities, these detections demonstrate a potential risk of military components or other battlefield equipment being transported from Ukraine into the EU,&#8221; the document continues.Luca Bertuzzi has this exclusive piece of reporting.More from our newsroomsECB calls for tougher EU crypto rules and wider ban on stablecoin interest. Europe&#8217;s central banks want the EU&#8217;s crypto rules tightened, calling for a wider ban on interest payments on stablecoins, new powers to curb tokens pegged to foreign currencies such as the US dollar, and EU-level supervision of crypto firms. Quirino Mealha and Eleonora Vasques have the latest.British Prime Minister Andy Burnham declines to rule out rejoining EU. The 2016 Brexit vote has proved tricky to shake off for many in the United Kingdom, including among the new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham. According to UK media reports, he has declined to rule out including a pledge to rejoin the European Union in Labour&#8217;s next election manifesto. Nathan Rennolds has the story.Weber warns Morocco of &#8216;obvious consequences&#8217; over Ceuta border crisis. European People\u2019s Party (EPP) leader Manfred Weber warned that Morocco could face \u201cobvious consequences\u201d if the border with the Spanish exclave of Ceuta could not be stabilised, raising the prospect of further \u201cuncontrolled situations\u201d following the arrival of around 80,000 irregular migrants at the end of July. Vincenzo Genovese has the story.We&#8217;re also keeping an eye onEuropean Commissioner for Trade Maro\u0161 \u0160ef\u010dovi\u010d meets with US Ambassador to the European Union Andrew Puzder.\u00a0European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka \u0160uica attends a briefing of the Board of Peace at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.\u00a0European Commission Executive Vice-President Roxana M\u00eenzatu meets Acting US Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling.\u00a0EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas speaks at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine in New York City.That\u2019s it for today. Luca Bertuzzi, Jorge Liboreiro, Marta Pacheco and Eleonora Vasques contributed to this newsletter.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/09\/23\/sanctions-showdown-leaves-a-bad-taste-as-latvia-cautions-against-normalising-russia&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/40\/80\/1200x675_cmsv2_9230f8f7-3f65-5b98-aaee-cadcd3a1c1eb-9924080.jpg&#8221;] Europe News Zelenskyy calls for continued pressure on Russia at UNGA Europe News Spain: Protests after 87-year-old woman evicted from home by force Europe News Day devoted to the Pope in French Catholic schools sparks controversy The Ring Who can afford to live in Greece? The Ring in Athens Europe News Zelenskyy [&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-2159847","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\/2159847","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=2159847"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2159847\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2159847"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2159847"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2159847"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}