Steven Everts
@sbeverts.bsky.social
Thoughts on Europe and the world. Director of @EUISS.bsky.social - the EU think tank on foreign and security policy. Views here are strictly personal - but we can share them.
Extraordinary that a US officials advises the Russians on how they should play his own President.
Read the gems of Steve Witkoff:
“I have the greatest respect for President Putin.”
Read the gems of Steve Witkoff:
“I have the greatest respect for President Putin.”
EXCLUSIVE: US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised Russia on how to pitch Ukraine plans to Trump, in audio files reviewed by Bloomberg
Witkoff Advised Russia on How to Pitch Ukraine Plan to Trump
US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, fresh from the triumph of the Gaza peace deal, held a phone call last month with a senior Kremlin official to suggest they work together on a similar plan for Ukraine — and that Vladimir Putin should raise it with Donald Trump.
bloom.bg
November 25, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Extraordinary that a US officials advises the Russians on how they should play his own President.
Read the gems of Steve Witkoff:
“I have the greatest respect for President Putin.”
Read the gems of Steve Witkoff:
“I have the greatest respect for President Putin.”
The road to - finally - build a stronger Europe able to defend its interests and citizens is long.
But some days we do make progress. Today is one of these days. Agreement now in place on the EDIP. ↘️
But some days we do make progress. Today is one of these days. Agreement now in place on the EDIP. ↘️
🇪🇺shall be powerful geopolitically, if we shall be strong in our defence.
We shall be strong in defence, if we shall be strong with our defence industry, industrially autonomous, and much less fragmented.
European unity brings added value. That’s what #EDIP is about.
We shall be strong in defence, if we shall be strong with our defence industry, industrially autonomous, and much less fragmented.
European unity brings added value. That’s what #EDIP is about.
November 25, 2025 at 8:32 PM
The road to - finally - build a stronger Europe able to defend its interests and citizens is long.
But some days we do make progress. Today is one of these days. Agreement now in place on the EDIP. ↘️
But some days we do make progress. Today is one of these days. Agreement now in place on the EDIP. ↘️
Europe’s approach on handling Trumps peace plans for Ukraine is the triumph of hope over experience.
If I haven’t lost count entirely, this was the fourth time Europe was fooled.
So yes it’s about time to finally figure out our own strategy instead of putting all energy into humouring Trump.
So yes it’s about time to finally figure out our own strategy instead of putting all energy into humouring Trump.
Yes, but it is also a fact now that there is a pattern to it.
As the saying goes, fool me once, shame on you, fool my twice, shame on me. The Europeans should no longer dellude themselves that a Trump/Vance US can be a reliable ally.
As the saying goes, fool me once, shame on you, fool my twice, shame on me. The Europeans should no longer dellude themselves that a Trump/Vance US can be a reliable ally.
November 25, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Europe’s approach on handling Trumps peace plans for Ukraine is the triumph of hope over experience.
Reposted by Steven Everts
'De grote vraag is wanneer Europeanen besluiten dat ze genoeg hebben van onmacht, twijfel en het voortdurend moeten reageren op wat anderen besluiten.’ Steven Everts
@sbeverts.bsky.social @nrc.nl
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
@sbeverts.bsky.social @nrc.nl
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
Opinie | Europa moet zijn psychologie van zwakte afwerpen
Europese Unie: Europa zakt weg in passiviteit en maakt zich wijs dat het allemaal wel goed komt, ziet Steven Everts. Diplomatiek staat Europa eigenlijk buitenspel, ook rondom Oekraïne. Maar om overein...
www.nrc.nl
November 25, 2025 at 6:29 AM
'De grote vraag is wanneer Europeanen besluiten dat ze genoeg hebben van onmacht, twijfel en het voortdurend moeten reageren op wat anderen besluiten.’ Steven Everts
@sbeverts.bsky.social @nrc.nl
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
@sbeverts.bsky.social @nrc.nl
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
Reposted by Steven Everts
Een continent zonder moed.
Waar je ook kijkt - Oekraïne en hoe de oorlog te stoppen, Russische drones of chips uit China, je ziet dat Europa wegzakt in afwachten, toegeven en zelftwijfel.
Wanneer besluiten Europeanen dat ze er genoeg van hebben?
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
Waar je ook kijkt - Oekraïne en hoe de oorlog te stoppen, Russische drones of chips uit China, je ziet dat Europa wegzakt in afwachten, toegeven en zelftwijfel.
Wanneer besluiten Europeanen dat ze er genoeg van hebben?
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
Opinie | Europa moet zijn psychologie van zwakte afwerpen
Europese Unie: Europa zakt weg in passiviteit en maakt zich wijs dat het allemaal wel goed komt, ziet Steven Everts. Diplomatiek staat Europa eigenlijk buitenspel, ook rondom Oekraïne. Maar om overein...
www.nrc.nl
November 24, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Een continent zonder moed.
Waar je ook kijkt - Oekraïne en hoe de oorlog te stoppen, Russische drones of chips uit China, je ziet dat Europa wegzakt in afwachten, toegeven en zelftwijfel.
Wanneer besluiten Europeanen dat ze er genoeg van hebben?
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
Waar je ook kijkt - Oekraïne en hoe de oorlog te stoppen, Russische drones of chips uit China, je ziet dat Europa wegzakt in afwachten, toegeven en zelftwijfel.
Wanneer besluiten Europeanen dat ze er genoeg van hebben?
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
Een continent zonder moed.
Waar je ook kijkt - Oekraïne en hoe de oorlog te stoppen, Russische drones of chips uit China, je ziet dat Europa wegzakt in afwachten, toegeven en zelftwijfel.
Wanneer besluiten Europeanen dat ze er genoeg van hebben?
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
Waar je ook kijkt - Oekraïne en hoe de oorlog te stoppen, Russische drones of chips uit China, je ziet dat Europa wegzakt in afwachten, toegeven en zelftwijfel.
Wanneer besluiten Europeanen dat ze er genoeg van hebben?
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
Opinie | Europa moet zijn psychologie van zwakte afwerpen
Europese Unie: Europa zakt weg in passiviteit en maakt zich wijs dat het allemaal wel goed komt, ziet Steven Everts. Diplomatiek staat Europa eigenlijk buitenspel, ook rondom Oekraïne. Maar om overein...
www.nrc.nl
November 24, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Een continent zonder moed.
Waar je ook kijkt - Oekraïne en hoe de oorlog te stoppen, Russische drones of chips uit China, je ziet dat Europa wegzakt in afwachten, toegeven en zelftwijfel.
Wanneer besluiten Europeanen dat ze er genoeg van hebben?
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
Waar je ook kijkt - Oekraïne en hoe de oorlog te stoppen, Russische drones of chips uit China, je ziet dat Europa wegzakt in afwachten, toegeven en zelftwijfel.
Wanneer besluiten Europeanen dat ze er genoeg van hebben?
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
Later today the EU-Indo Pacific Ministerial will start. A unique format, bringing partners from Europe, East Africa and across the Asia Pacific - to see what they can do together.
Obviously, maritime security is at the top of anyone's agenda.
Here some ideas on *how* to get it done:
Obviously, maritime security is at the top of anyone's agenda.
Here some ideas on *how* to get it done:
The Western Indian Ocean is vital to Europe’s energy, trade & digital connectivity, but maritime security remains fragile. The EU can help strengthen stability by supporting alignment of vision, resources & partnerships amid intensifying competition.
🔗 ow.ly/Vebv50XtXA2
🔗 ow.ly/Vebv50XtXA2
November 20, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Later today the EU-Indo Pacific Ministerial will start. A unique format, bringing partners from Europe, East Africa and across the Asia Pacific - to see what they can do together.
Obviously, maritime security is at the top of anyone's agenda.
Here some ideas on *how* to get it done:
Obviously, maritime security is at the top of anyone's agenda.
Here some ideas on *how* to get it done:
This is true.
The question is are we (Ukraine, rest of Europe) better able to resist a bad deal than the previous times it was served?
I would like to be more certain on that than I am.
The question is are we (Ukraine, rest of Europe) better able to resist a bad deal than the previous times it was served?
I would like to be more certain on that than I am.
On the leaked and thus not-so-secret US-Russia ”peace plan”:
I have read nothing to indicate that it’s any different this time than in February/March, May, and August. The Trump admin is serving the same nothingburger for the fourth time. Media and analysts haven’t learned to see through the noise.
I have read nothing to indicate that it’s any different this time than in February/March, May, and August. The Trump admin is serving the same nothingburger for the fourth time. Media and analysts haven’t learned to see through the noise.
November 20, 2025 at 9:25 AM
This is true.
The question is are we (Ukraine, rest of Europe) better able to resist a bad deal than the previous times it was served?
I would like to be more certain on that than I am.
The question is are we (Ukraine, rest of Europe) better able to resist a bad deal than the previous times it was served?
I would like to be more certain on that than I am.
Hundreds of think tank reports and political speeches say Europe must invest in its own production and refining of rare earths to break stranglehold by you know who. Then this happens. 👀
Sigh.
Sigh.
How depressing is this?
Europe’s top processor of rare earths materials said Wednesday it had forged new partnerships to strengthen supply chains in the United States, deals that come as Europe lags in the race to break China’s chokehold on rare earths
Europe’s top processor of rare earths materials said Wednesday it had forged new partnerships to strengthen supply chains in the United States, deals that come as Europe lags in the race to break China’s chokehold on rare earths
Solvay of Belgium Creates Rare Earths Deals With U.S.
The contracts are the latest sign of how Europe is lagging the United States in the race to break China’s chokehold on rare earths.
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Hundreds of think tank reports and political speeches say Europe must invest in its own production and refining of rare earths to break stranglehold by you know who. Then this happens. 👀
Sigh.
Sigh.
“We are mostly messing around with small stuff, and we do that in a divisive way…We are dealing with a world on fire. So we ought to stick together.”
Nice to talk to @grimmse.bsky.social on the cost of timidity, red lines and small thinking that shapes EU-UK negotiations.
Nice to talk to @grimmse.bsky.social on the cost of timidity, red lines and small thinking that shapes EU-UK negotiations.
Brexit made the Britons and the Europeans poorer, and weaker in a world of Trump, Putin & Xi. So why isn't there a concerted push to make amends? I look into this for today's "Morning Post Europe", with very helpful insights of @sbeverts.bsky.social. open.substack.com/pub/europemo...
The EU, the Brits and a "Breturn": A mutually good thing nobody dares to talk about
Good morning!
open.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:06 AM
“We are mostly messing around with small stuff, and we do that in a divisive way…We are dealing with a world on fire. So we ought to stick together.”
Nice to talk to @grimmse.bsky.social on the cost of timidity, red lines and small thinking that shapes EU-UK negotiations.
Nice to talk to @grimmse.bsky.social on the cost of timidity, red lines and small thinking that shapes EU-UK negotiations.
Reposted by Steven Everts
Brexit made the Britons and the Europeans poorer, and weaker in a world of Trump, Putin & Xi. So why isn't there a concerted push to make amends? I look into this for today's "Morning Post Europe", with very helpful insights of @sbeverts.bsky.social. open.substack.com/pub/europemo...
The EU, the Brits and a "Breturn": A mutually good thing nobody dares to talk about
Good morning!
open.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Brexit made the Britons and the Europeans poorer, and weaker in a world of Trump, Putin & Xi. So why isn't there a concerted push to make amends? I look into this for today's "Morning Post Europe", with very helpful insights of @sbeverts.bsky.social. open.substack.com/pub/europemo...
On bidouille surtout des petites choses, et on le fait de manière divisée”, a déclaré Everts. “On négocie des sujets relativement secondaires comme les exportations agro-alimentaires, ou les détails de la mobilité étudiante. Importants oui, mais sans commune mesure avec les défis de notre temps”.
La Matinale Européenne est sortie.
L’analyse du jour signée @grimmse.bsky.social: « Et si les Brits revenaient ? Le “Breturn” dont personne n’ose parler »
Dans les brèves: la nouvelle « Majorité Giorgia » au PE. Avec @cspillmann.bsky.social 👇
lamatinaleeuropeenne.substack.com/p/et-si-les-...
L’analyse du jour signée @grimmse.bsky.social: « Et si les Brits revenaient ? Le “Breturn” dont personne n’ose parler »
Dans les brèves: la nouvelle « Majorité Giorgia » au PE. Avec @cspillmann.bsky.social 👇
lamatinaleeuropeenne.substack.com/p/et-si-les-...
Et si les Brits revenaient ? Le “Breturn” dont personne n’ose parler
Bonjour !
lamatinaleeuropeenne.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:04 AM
On bidouille surtout des petites choses, et on le fait de manière divisée”, a déclaré Everts. “On négocie des sujets relativement secondaires comme les exportations agro-alimentaires, ou les détails de la mobilité étudiante. Importants oui, mais sans commune mesure avec les défis de notre temps”.
Reposted by Steven Everts
Trial membership or gradual accession: the EU needs new ideas to make #EUenlargement work. Political creativity is key to turning a geopolitical necessity into reality, writes
@sbeverts.bsky.social.
🔗ow.ly/jNV250XqoKV
@sbeverts.bsky.social.
🔗ow.ly/jNV250XqoKV
November 12, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Trial membership or gradual accession: the EU needs new ideas to make #EUenlargement work. Political creativity is key to turning a geopolitical necessity into reality, writes
@sbeverts.bsky.social.
🔗ow.ly/jNV250XqoKV
@sbeverts.bsky.social.
🔗ow.ly/jNV250XqoKV
Reposted by Steven Everts
Hoe lastig te verkopen ook, volgens @sbeverts.bsky.social heeft de EU uitbreidingen nodig om relevant te blijven"
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
Opinie | Hoe lastig te verkopen ook, de EU moet groter
Europese Unie: Proeflidmaatschap, of gedeeltelijke toetreding: uitbreiding van de EU kan ook op andere manieren verlopen dan de gebruikelijke, ziet Steven Everts. Dat is zelfs broodnodig.
www.nrc.nl
November 11, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Hoe lastig te verkopen ook, volgens @sbeverts.bsky.social heeft de EU uitbreidingen nodig om relevant te blijven"
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
In Nederland is het lastig de handen op elkaar te krijgen voor een uitbreiding van de EU. Daarom is meer realisme en creativiteit nodig. Hier mijn stuk in @nrc over hoe we politiek kunnen we verkopen wat geopolitiek noodzakelijk is.
November 11, 2025 at 9:15 AM
In Nederland is het lastig de handen op elkaar te krijgen voor een uitbreiding van de EU. Daarom is meer realisme en creativiteit nodig. Hier mijn stuk in @nrc over hoe we politiek kunnen we verkopen wat geopolitiek noodzakelijk is.
Een realistische pad naar een grotere EU? Ja dat bestaat.
Hoe kunnen we politiek verkopen wat geopolitiek hard nodig is?
Mijn opinie stuk in @nrc.nl
Hoe kunnen we politiek verkopen wat geopolitiek hard nodig is?
Mijn opinie stuk in @nrc.nl
Opinie | Hoe lastig te verkopen ook, de EU moet groter
Europese Unie: Proeflidmaatschap, of gedeeltelijke toetreding: uitbreiding van de EU kan ook op andere manieren verlopen dan de gebruikelijke, ziet Steven Everts. Dat is zelfs broodnodig.
www.nrc.nl
November 10, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Een realistische pad naar een grotere EU? Ja dat bestaat.
Hoe kunnen we politiek verkopen wat geopolitiek hard nodig is?
Mijn opinie stuk in @nrc.nl
Hoe kunnen we politiek verkopen wat geopolitiek hard nodig is?
Mijn opinie stuk in @nrc.nl
Reposted by Steven Everts
It's the annual "Night where Brexit never happened*" in Brussels. Geoff Meade and Jacki Davis in fine form at the Press Revue. 🇬🇧🇪🇺
*Courtesy @sbeverts.bsky.social
*Courtesy @sbeverts.bsky.social
November 8, 2025 at 7:30 PM
It's the annual "Night where Brexit never happened*" in Brussels. Geoff Meade and Jacki Davis in fine form at the Press Revue. 🇬🇧🇪🇺
*Courtesy @sbeverts.bsky.social
*Courtesy @sbeverts.bsky.social
“Everything hangs on this,” said Joris Teer, a researcher at the EU Institute for Security Studies, the European Union’s think tank for security policy. Without a flow of critical minerals, he said, “there is no rearmament.”
How China’s Rare Earth Chokehold Could Strangle Europe’s Military Buildup
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:53 AM
“Everything hangs on this,” said Joris Teer, a researcher at the EU Institute for Security Studies, the European Union’s think tank for security policy. Without a flow of critical minerals, he said, “there is no rearmament.”
Here you have it. Why social media and the algorithm are poisoning our politics - full of rage and indignation. It wasn’t like this and therefore it doesn’t have to be.
on.ft.com/4oVKxQi
on.ft.com/4oVKxQi
November 7, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Here you have it. Why social media and the algorithm are poisoning our politics - full of rage and indignation. It wasn’t like this and therefore it doesn’t have to be.
on.ft.com/4oVKxQi
on.ft.com/4oVKxQi
Reposted by Steven Everts
The EU is planning to further tighten visa rules for Russians, ending multi-entry Schengen permits. With visa-free access to just 11 countries, the Russian passport is one of the weakest.
More on Moscow’s vulnerabilities & how the EU can leverage them in #UnpowerRussia ➡️ ow.ly/MgPL50VWxzx
More on Moscow’s vulnerabilities & how the EU can leverage them in #UnpowerRussia ➡️ ow.ly/MgPL50VWxzx
November 6, 2025 at 11:20 AM
The EU is planning to further tighten visa rules for Russians, ending multi-entry Schengen permits. With visa-free access to just 11 countries, the Russian passport is one of the weakest.
More on Moscow’s vulnerabilities & how the EU can leverage them in #UnpowerRussia ➡️ ow.ly/MgPL50VWxzx
More on Moscow’s vulnerabilities & how the EU can leverage them in #UnpowerRussia ➡️ ow.ly/MgPL50VWxzx
Reposted by Steven Everts
Trust between Europe and the US is eroding, and "this isn’t just a phase", warns Director @sbeverts.bsky.social.
Europe must adapt to this new reality and can draw lessons from others who already are.
Europe must adapt to this new reality and can draw lessons from others who already are.
November 4, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Trust between Europe and the US is eroding, and "this isn’t just a phase", warns Director @sbeverts.bsky.social.
Europe must adapt to this new reality and can draw lessons from others who already are.
Europe must adapt to this new reality and can draw lessons from others who already are.
Reposted by Steven Everts
"Dat Rusland dagelijks en routinematig miljoenen Oekraïners aanvalt met een ijzingwekkend arsenaal aan vernietigingswapens, is echter verre van normaal. Nederland, heel Europa, mag niet normaliseren en accepteren dat deze Russische agressie, met al zijn oorlogsmisdaden, voortwoekert."
Wat vindt NRC | Nederland mag niet wennen aan de Russische oorlog tegen Oekraïne
Nederland mag niet wennen aan de Russische oorlog tegen Oekraïne
www.nrc.nl
November 3, 2025 at 4:03 PM
"Dat Rusland dagelijks en routinematig miljoenen Oekraïners aanvalt met een ijzingwekkend arsenaal aan vernietigingswapens, is echter verre van normaal. Nederland, heel Europa, mag niet normaliseren en accepteren dat deze Russische agressie, met al zijn oorlogsmisdaden, voortwoekert."
Something symbolic about the delay in the Commission’s plans on how to get the EU ready for enlargement (policies, budget, voting etc). Was supposed to come this week together with the assessment of how the candidates are doing. Now postponed until end Nov.
We prefer to pass the hot potatoes.
We prefer to pass the hot potatoes.
We are testing La Matinale Européenne in English.
Today’s pilot by me: “The State of the Enlargement — and the Risks of EU Paralysis”.
Don’t miss our brief. The Climate Law is on a knife edge.
With @cspillmann.bsky.social and @grimmse.bsky.social👇
europemorningpost.substack.com/p/the-state-...
Today’s pilot by me: “The State of the Enlargement — and the Risks of EU Paralysis”.
Don’t miss our brief. The Climate Law is on a knife edge.
With @cspillmann.bsky.social and @grimmse.bsky.social👇
europemorningpost.substack.com/p/the-state-...
The State of the Enlargement — and the Risks of EU Paralysis
Good morning!
europemorningpost.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Something symbolic about the delay in the Commission’s plans on how to get the EU ready for enlargement (policies, budget, voting etc). Was supposed to come this week together with the assessment of how the candidates are doing. Now postponed until end Nov.
We prefer to pass the hot potatoes.
We prefer to pass the hot potatoes.
Reposted by Steven Everts
November 1, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Reposted by Steven Everts
So if the survival of Europe's industrial base wasn't enough of a motivation not to go for a Chinese EV, not having your car weaponized against you sounds like another solid one.
Norway tested two different types of electric buses this summer -one from a Dutch and one from a Chinese manufacturer- to assess cybersecurity risks.
The tests revealed that the Chinese bus could be controlled and turned off remotely, while the European one could not.
www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/os...
The tests revealed that the Chinese bus could be controlled and turned off remotely, while the European one could not.
www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/os...
Oslo tests reveal Chinese electric buses can be switched off remotely
Public transport operator Ruter says manufacturer access allows buses to be stopped from China, prompting Norway to review cybersecurity risks in public transport - Anadolu Ajansı
www.aa.com.tr
October 31, 2025 at 9:41 AM
So if the survival of Europe's industrial base wasn't enough of a motivation not to go for a Chinese EV, not having your car weaponized against you sounds like another solid one.