Putin is merely playing Trump, not negotiating peace. I welcome the prisoner exchange and pause on energy attacks, but Putin's demand to halt Western military aid and intelligence to Ukraine is a trap. He wants Ukraine defenseless. The EU must stand firm: No appeasement!

Even today, books are being removed from libraries. Authors are in prison. Europe has always defended a different model. Discussing our European values at the Book Fair therefore makes perfect sense. A key debate and entirely timely with Justine Lacroix (ULB).

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Russia’s influence runs deep in 🇪🇺 Lubos Blaha, a top Putin lackey in Slovakia and member of @europarl.europa.eu Foreign Affairs committee met with Sergey Naryshkin, head of Russia’s SVR—during another propaganda trip to Moscow this week. A disgrace, sure, but a serious security threat as well!

Three years ago, Russia launched an unjustified war against Ukraine. We want peace. Nothing more, nothing less. Not a forced surrender imposed on the Ukrainians, but a just and lasting peace. 🇺🇦🇪🇺

The time of confusion. But #QRLeDébat this week allowed us to recontextualize the international situation. Beyond the analyses, a clear message: let’s get out of shock! I would like to see concrete plans today to gain strategic autonomy. www.rtbf.be/article/l-eu...

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After 14 years of Smer rule, PM Fico leaves Pellegrini alone to admit #Slovakia “recognizes moral and investment deficit in its armed forces” in front of NATO's Mark Rutte. Fico was meanwhile too busy cozying up to populists at CPAC...

How to finance #EUdefense? Today at AFET Committee, we’ve welcomed @radek-sikorski.bsky.social He stressed EU should “follow the money, as defense isn’t cheap” & underlined money flow only from 1) increased contributions, 2) unspent funds, 3) a new debt or 4) via creation of an armament bank.

🇸🇰 PM Fico won’t be able to host NATO chief Rutte at his visit to #Slovakia tomorrow. Instead, as proclaimed “socialist”, Fico will be rubbing shoulders with Trump at the conservative #CPAC. Yet another signal to our allies that his interests lie outside Slovakia’s strategic & defense priorities.

This changing world can cause concern, even destabilize. Europeans must have the courage of unity, composure, and assertiveness. That is also why I have long been speaking about our strategic autonomy. Interview to read @sudinfo.bsky.social 👉🏻 www.sudinfo.be/id953835/art...

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What if we finally took the time? That's what I'm offering you with the "Strasbourg debrief" after each plenary session: taking the time to revisit the key events, analyze them, and explain their context. The February version is available 👇🏻

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"It is appeasement, it has never worked!" Fully behind @kajakallas.bsky.social on this one. Peace in Ukraine simply cannot be reached without Ukrainians and Europeans at the negotiation table. Regardless of what President Trump cooks up with dictator Putin.