FRANCE 24 explores events across Europe, including in the 27 member states of the European Union and the United Kingdom. Follow our on-the-ground reports, interviews and analyses of the events affecting social and political life on the Continent and Europe’s role in the world.
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'Escalate to deescalate': Putin seeks to push Europe, NATO to the brink and force them to stand down
12 September 2025
Russia and key ally Belarus have begun joint military drills, amid tensions with NATO countries after Poland accused Moscow of breaching its airspace with attack drones. European leaders on Thursday expressed alarm over growing Russian hostility threatening their countries as Moscow's forces pursue their invasion of Ukraine. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective, Alison Sargent welcomes Peter Zalmayev, Director of the Eurasian Democracy Initiative.
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NATO on edge as Russia follows up drone incursion with Belarus military drills
12 September 2025
Russia and Belarus begin their largest joint military drills since the invasion of Ukraine on Friday, further unnerving countries on NATO’s eastern flank just days after a Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace stoked fears of a spillover in the Ukraine war – and exposed gaps in the Western alliance’s defence and deterrence capabilities.
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Russia, Belarus start ‘Zapad 2025’ drills as West watches warily
12 September 2025
Russia and Belarus on Friday began their "Zapad 2025" joint military exercises amid escalating tensions following Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace during an attack on Ukraine earlier this week. "Zapad" (or West in Russian) drills occur every two years and are perceived as intimidation exercises on NATO's eastern flank.
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Russia says it downed 221 Ukrainian drones overnight
12 September 2025
Russia on Friday said it downed 221 Ukrainian drones, one of the highest tallies in the war. More than half of them flew over the Bryansk and Smolensk regions, according to the Russian defence ministry.
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Trump may want a Nobel Peace Prize, but committee says it won’t be swayed
12 September 2025
US President Donald Trump has often said he "deserves" the Nobel Peace Prize. But ahead of the October 10 laureate announcement, a Nobel Committee official insisted that the panel considers nominees on merit and that media attention has "no impact" on the decision.
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'Legacy of the yellow vests: Police go hard on protesters, any hint of escalation met with teargas'
12 September 2025
A day of anti-government action across France on Wednesday saw streets choked with smoke, barricades in flames and volleys of tear gas as protesters denounced budget cuts and political turmoil. The nationwide “Block Everything” campaign presented a challenge to President Emmanuel Macron and turned Sébastien Lecornu ’s first day as prime minister into a baptism of fire. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective, Charli James welcomes Ariane Bogain, Senior Lecturer in French Politics at Northumbria University.
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France deploys three jets to shield Poland after Russian drone incursion
11 September 2025
France will send three Rafale fighter jets to help protect Polish airspace, President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday, after Warsaw accused Russia of launching a drone raid. France will summon the Russian ambassador in Paris to protest the "unacceptable" drone incursion, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Friday.
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EU diplomat and opposition veteran among 52 political prisoners freed by Belarus
11 September 2025
Belarus on Thursday freed 52 political prisoners into neighbouring Lithuania following calls from US President Donald Trump for their release. Among those freed were an EU diplomat along with veteran dissident Mikola Statkevich, who was a 2010 presidential candidate.
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'Lecornu speaks to everyone: Seasoned politician rooted in public service' on local, national level
11 September 2025
France’s new Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, has vowed a “profound break” from past politics as he takes on the daunting task of forming a government with enough parliamentary support to steer the country out of its political crisis. Among President Macron’s Renaissance party members is Éléonore Caroit, MP for French citizens in Latin America and the Caribbean. She tells Carys Garland she’s “confident the new PM might actually pass a budget and have a plan within the next month.” Solange Mougin and Antonia Kerrigan, reporting from the field, join us for historic context and a world of perspective.
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'Disquiet in Poland': Parliament convenes emergency session following Russian drone incursions
11 September 2025
The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting following what the Polish foreign ministry said was a Russian drone raid on its territory. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective, François Picard welcomes Marcin Zaborowski, Policy Director of the Future of Security Programme at GLOBSEC.
