Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Seb Starcevic @sebstarcevic.bsky.social · Aug 28

“Nobody believes that Putin is committed to peace … we need to put pressure on Russia to be interested in these talks.”

The EU’s ambassador to Ukraine says it’s time the bloc and the US inflict crippling joint sanctions to drag the Kremlin to the negotiating table 👇 www.politico.eu/article/eu-a...

After Kyiv assault, EU ambassador wants US help to compel Moscow to end war

“Nobody believes that Putin is committed to peace,” Katarína Mathernová told POLITICO.

www.politico.eu

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Reposted by Seb Starcevic

Antonia Zimmermann @zimmerfrau.bsky.social · Jul 15

Mega scoop by @camgijs.bsky.social 🔥🔥🔥

POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · Jul 14

The European Union is looking at targeting €72 billion in US goods in a second round of trade countermeasures, including aircraft, cars and car parts, according to a list seen by POLITICO today.

EU to hit US aircraft, cars and food in latest retaliatory strike

The European Commission proposes countermeasures after President Donald Trump threatens to hit Europe with a 30 percent tariff.

www.politico.eu

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Seb Starcevic @sebstarcevic.bsky.social · Jun 19

EXCLUSIVE: NATO chief Mark Rutte is axing dozens of job and two whole divisions in a major overhaul at the alliance’s Brussels HQ.

“He is basically DOGEing NATO,” an official told POLITICO, referring to Elon Musk’s efforts to trim the U.S. government.

Scoop here via @politico.eu👇 ow.ly/BUKB50WcfTo

Mark Rutte DOGEs NATO with dozens of job cuts

Transatlantic military chief slashes roles and eliminates divisions as U.S. President Donald Trump’s reluctant commitment overshadows the alliance.

ow.ly

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Seb Starcevic @sebstarcevic.bsky.social · Jun 12

Exclusive for @politico.eu from me and the unsurpassed @jacopobarigazzi.bsky.social

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Seb Starcevic @sebstarcevic.bsky.social · Jun 12

SCOOP: Former Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson is tipped to become special envoy for Ukrainians in the EU.

As Russia’s invasion grinds on, the EU executive wants Ukrainian refugees to go home or stay and integrate fully — which this new top job will oversee 👇 www.politico.eu/article/ylva...

EU taps Ylva Johansson to be special envoy for Ukrainians

Former home affairs commissioner lined up for new role overseeing Commission’s strategy for Ukrainian refugees.

www.politico.eu

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Seb Starcevic @sebstarcevic.bsky.social · Jun 10

The EU just announced a barrage of new sanctions on Russia, including:

💵 Cutting off 22 Russian banks from SWIFT
⛽️ Banning the Nord Stream gas pipelines
🛢️ Lowering the oil price cap from $60 to $45 (with G7 approval)

“This war must end,” Ursula von der Leyen said 👉 www.politico.eu/article/ursu...

A press conference with Ursula von der Leyen and Kaja Kallas.

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Seb Starcevic @sebstarcevic.bsky.social · Jun 6

They were once blacklisted for their ties to Putin.

But now some of Russia’s biggest classical music stars are returning to European stages.

Their encore is a soft power win for the Kremlin — and has triggered a fierce political reaction from the EU and Ukraine 👇 www.politico.eu/article/russ...

Russia’s blacklisted classical music stars make a comeback in Europe

Vladimir Putin’s opera darlings are back in the spotlight — and Ukraine and the EU are not pleased.

www.politico.eu

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Seb Starcevic @sebstarcevic.bsky.social · Jun 6

Despite their mutual hatred for Putin, Ukraine and Russia’s exiled opposition have mostly avoided joining forces amid deep distrust.

But a top Russian dissident told me and @elenagiordano.bsky.social in Brussels that talks have kicked off behind closed doors 👇 www.politico.eu/article/russ...

Russia’s opposition talking with Ukraine behind the scenes, top dissident says

Many in Ukraine have criticized the idea that Kyiv and the Russian opposition are natural allies.

www.politico.eu

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Seb Starcevic @sebstarcevic.bsky.social · May 26

We run in very different circles! 😉 Anyway, this is a really pendantic hill — hope you enjoyed the story, pet peeves aside!

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Seb Starcevic @sebstarcevic.bsky.social · May 26

The habit comes from the fact that most people outside Brussels (definitely outside Europe) have little idea what a commissioner does or EU hierarchies; clarity sometimes requires descriptive, informal language, especially if the story isn’t just for the bubble. News writing ≠ academic writing!

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Seb Starcevic @sebstarcevic.bsky.social · May 26

Good to see you engaging with the substance!

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Seb Starcevic @sebstarcevic.bsky.social · May 26

EXCL: Israel’s critics say it should be exiled from global sport over its war in Gaza, just as Russia was — and the EU’s top sports official signaled his agreement.

“Through sport, we have to promote the values that we stand for, with any country,” he told POLITICO. www.politico.eu/article/eu-s...

EU sports chief hints Israel should get the boot from competitions over Gaza war

“Through sport, we have to promote the values that we stand for, with any country,” Glenn Micallef says.

www.politico.eu

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Reposted by Seb Starcevic

Veronika Melkozerova @nikamelkozerova.bsky.social · May 16

Second day of talks: 1000 prisoners exchange agreed. No ceasefire. More threats from the Russians to fight forever. US delegation pushed out. My latest:
www.politico.eu/article/ista...

Russia and Ukraine agree on 1,000-prisoner exchange — but no ceasefire

First direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in three years made little substantive progress toward peace.

www.politico.eu

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Seb Starcevic @sebstarcevic.bsky.social · May 16

🏳️‍🌈🇪🇺 In today’s @politico.eu Brussels Playbook, we reported on how a petition to ban conversion practices Europe-wide went viral days before its deadline.

Hours later, it’s reached one million signatures — meaning the European Commission must now formally consider it 👇 www.politico.eu/newsletter/b...

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Reposted by Seb Starcevic

Pieter Haeck @pieterhaeck.bsky.social · May 16

Nice write-up in Brussels Playbook by @sebstarcevic.bsky.social how the bid wasn't doing great, but then Angèle and her large Instagram following got involved.

www.politico.eu/newsletter/b...

So. Much. Voting.

Presented by Philips By SARAH WHEATON PRESENTED BY Send tips here | Tweet @NicholasVinocur @swheaton | Listen to Playbook and view in your browser HOWDY. Sarah Wheaton here, bringing you this Frida…

www.politico.eu

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Reposted by Seb Starcevic

POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · May 16

EXCLUSIVE: Greenland’s foreign minister has suggested the European Union could develop its coveted mineral resources amid threats by US President Donald Trump to seize the island.

Greenland dangles rare earths partnership with EU as Trump looms

“We want to expand our cooperation on our critical minerals and energy,” Vivian Motzfeldt says.

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Seb Starcevic @sebstarcevic.bsky.social · May 16

Exclusive: Greenland’s foreign minister suggested partnering with the EU on minerals and energy. “We like them,” she said.

She also slammed the Trump administration for spying on the island.

“We’re supposed to be friends. We are allies. Allies don’t do such things.” www.politico.eu/article/gree...

Greenland dangles rare earths partnership with EU as Trump looms

“We want to expand our cooperation on our critical minerals and energy,” Vivian Motzfeldt says.

www.politico.eu

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Seb Starcevic @sebstarcevic.bsky.social · May 15

🇪🇺 🚫 You won’t see the EU’s flag on stage at this weekend’s Eurovision grand final.

It’s been banned along with other flags — earning a sharp rebuke from the EU.

“If national flags belong on stage, the European flag does too,” the bloc’s culture chief told POLITICO. www.politico.eu/article/eu-e...

EU slams Eurovision for banning flag from stage

“Young Europeans should not need permission to wave their flag,” Glenn Micallef says.

www.politico.eu

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Reposted by Seb Starcevic

Camille Gijs @camgijs.bsky.social · May 14

NEW: The European Commission is preparing to reintroduce pre-war tariff quotas for some Ukrainian farm products sold into the EU market as of June 6, after the bloc’s wartime tariff waivers expire.

That's according to documents seen by POLITICO.

www.politico.eu/article/brus...

EU to roll back Ukraine trade perks to protect its farmers

Brussels looks to reintroduce pre-war tariffs on some agricultural imports from Ukraine, documents seen by POLITICO show.

www.politico.eu

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Reposted by Seb Starcevic

Ali Walker @aliwalker.bsky.social · May 13

🚨 New scoop: According to a leaked letter sent to Gianni Infantino, a top human rights organization said it has “grave concerns” about the Trump administration’s border policies affecting the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Top human rights group challenges FIFA over Trump and 2026 World Cup

Human Rights Watch says football’s governing body should be prepared to “reconsider” choice of U.S. as tournament co-host.

www.politico.eu

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Seb Starcevic @sebstarcevic.bsky.social · May 5

🇷🇴 Romania’s diaspora voted en masse for a far-right, pro-Trump candidate at Sunday’s much-watched presidential election.

To Romanians abroad, he is “a sort of savior,” a political scientist explained.

“He films himself every-f**king-where,” a Romanian expat told me. www.politico.eu/article/roma...

How George Simion became a right-wing ‘messiah’ for Romanians abroad

TikTok and ultranationalism propels hard-right chief to cult status among Romania’s diaspora.

www.politico.eu

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Reposted by Seb Starcevic

Jacob Parry @jacob-parry.bsky.social · Apr 29

Madrid 2036? London 2040? A TBD German games?🏅🇪🇺 @ec.europa.eu Sports Commissioner Glenn Micallef tells @politico.eu that he wants the Olympics back in Europe ASAP

www.politico.eu/article/eu-o...

EU backs Olympic bid for 2036, while London wants the Games in 2040

Europe’s sports chief calls for the Olympics to return to the EU — but that aspiration could clash with a bid from London.

www.politico.eu

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Seb Starcevic @sebstarcevic.bsky.social · Apr 28

🇪🇺🏅When will Europe host another Olympics?

The EU’s sports chief told @politico.eu he wants the Olympic flame back in Europe as soon as possible 👇 www.politico.eu/article/eu-o...

EU backs Olympic bid for 2036, while London wants the Games in 2040

Europe’s sports chief calls for the Olympics to return to the EU — but that aspiration could clash with a bid from London.

www.politico.eu

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Reposted by Seb Starcevic

POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · Apr 15

A Russian billionaire with ties to President Vladimir Putin wields immense influence over one of the world’s most prestigious sports — despite EU and US sanctions against him.

How a billionaire Russian ‘sugar daddy’ took over an iconic Olympic sport

Sanctioned tycoon Alisher Usmanov parries Western efforts to oust him from shadow leadership role in world fencing.

ow.ly

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Seb Starcevic @sebstarcevic.bsky.social · Apr 15

🤺🇷🇺 POLITICO Europe’s feature about how a sanctioned Russian billionaire took over the world of Olympic fencing — and the doomed Nordic-led rebellion to oust him — is now available to read online: www.politico.eu/article/russ...

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