International Relations

The European Commission and the EU's High Representative adopted a Joint Communication presenting a package of proposals for a ‘New Strategic EU-India Agenda' on 17 September 2025. The EU and India appear ready to take their strategic partnership of 20+ years to the next level amid geopolitical shifts. Together, they set out to "boost shared prosperity, strengthen security, and tackle major global challenges". Developing such an agenda constitutes an opportunity, yet not without its own challenges. Thus, Dr. Katharina Emschermann asked 3 questions about the EU-India relationship status to Jochen Luckscheiter, director of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung's India office in New Delhi.

Dire headlines followed the EU-US trade deal – but this is not Europe’s death, it’s a test. Europe still has strengths, but must use this moment to reform and adapt. Read more in our Böll EU 8/2025 Newsletter.

This month, we’re highlighting some of our key articles and publications from the past few months – perfect for your summer reading list.

Our deterrence can only be backed by real numbers. How many weapons we have, how large is our army, wider military, and personnel numbers, and so on. That is why we need to move now with our implementation as quickly as possible. An interview with Andrius Kubilius, the European Union’s Commissioner for Defence and Space. 

The Trump Administration’s new budget law is a back door to implementing major portions of the MAGA agenda. It could become one of the most destructive, anti-climate, anti-poor, and anti-working class pieces of legislation in US history and risks the country’s long-term economic stability. What's in it for the EU?

Our Böll EU Newsletter this month looks at the future of the European Green Deal, the EU 2040 climate target and the different articles and publications we have launched in the past weeks.

The European Union is not merely facing a series of overlapping crises, but the simultaneous unravelling of the geopolitical, economic, and democratic orders that have long underpinned its stability and global role. This moment of systemic disruption poses a stark question: can Europe move from being an object of global shifts to becoming a subject that actively shapes the emerging world order?

Donald Trump is back in the White House and with him, a foreign policy that openly questions the sovereignty of allies, undermines democratic values, challenges European security commitments, and disrupts established trade relations. The European Union now faces a stark reality: The United States, once the guarantor of Europe’s security, prosperity, and democracy, has become its saboteur. How should the EU respond to this shifting landscape? Roderick Kefferpütz interviews Green MEP Sergey Lagodinsky.

Transatlantic relations are changing, and with it the EU and Canada are seemingly moving closer. An EU-Canada summit will take place on 23 June 2025, as "an opportunity to enhance the EU-Canada strategic partnership and for leaders to reinforce their cooperation at different levels". Is this a spur of the moment, what is now relevant and what does this mean for the green transition? Anton Möller asked 3 key questions to Achim Hurrelmann, Professor at Carleton University and expert on Canada-Europe relations.

The withdrawal of the US from Europe's defence is taking shape. The EU is now mobilising money for defence, but remains paralysed. It is time to break new ground, says MEP Sergey Lagodinsky.