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Juncker and Asselborn urge EU unity as pressures mount from Washington and Moscow

Former prime minister and ex-European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and longtime foreign minister Jean Asselborn used RTL’s final Kloertext panel of the year to deliver a stark warning about Europe’s security and cohesion, urging the EU to respond with unity and a firmer defence of democratic values as Russia intensifies its pressure and the United States under Donald Trump grow openly antagonistic.

Asselborn said Europe is now “between two fires”, arguing that the Kremlin’s ambitions go beyond Ukraine and that Washington is helping boost far-right forces inside Europe. He also cautioned that a breakdown in Franco-German leadership, especially if France elects a nationalist president in 2027, could weaken the EU’s centre of gravity.

A central theme was whether the United States remains a partner. Both men portrayed Trump’s approach as a direct challenge to Europe’s model of governance, including its regulation of digital platforms and its understanding of free speech.

Also today

• After more than four decades in politics, Democratic Party MP Fernand Etgen has made his final appearance in Luxembourg’s Chamber of Deputies, delivering a characteristically light-hearted departure speech as parliament marked his retirement from active political life.
• Russian president Vladimir Putin said the ball was in the court of the West and Kyiv in talks to end the war in Ukraine, while hailing Moscow’s recent battlefield gains and threatening more
• Banking, payment, and government services were brought to a standstill due to a major LuxTrust outage on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Asked about the disruption to this critical infrastructure, banking association ABBL wanted to make one thing very clear: this was no cyber attack.
• The Victor Hugo Hall in Limpertsberg hosted the 27th annual Christmas party organised by the homeless support charity Stëmm vun der Strooss (“The Voice of the Street”) on Thursday, drawing a large crowd that included the Grand Ducal couple. The event welcomed 650 invited guests.
• A new year brings new laws and regulations: From income and energy prices to transport, schooling, and pensions, 2026 will see a wide range of changes take effect in Luxembourg.

On air

Christmas joy is in the air and the final Drive show before Christmas is filled with Unconventional and Chrooner Christmas Songs!

Figure of the day

EU secures €90 billion after dropping Russian asset plan

• The European Union has agreed to provide Ukraine with financial aid for the next two years
• Following protracted and complex negotiations at the EU summit, the 27 member states agreed early Friday morning to a €90 billion loan package for Kyiv. Notably, the funding will not be drawn from frozen Russian state assets, as had been previously considered. Instead, it will be raised through loans taken out collectively by the EU – though not with full participation.

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