| The EU is trying this week to agree on a path forward for helping Ukraine as Trump presses for a ceasefire |
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| Welcome to the Brussels Edition, Bloomberg's daily briefing on what matters most in the heart of the European Union. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer won a pledge by some 25 allies to keep up the pressure on Russia's economy as part of the effort to push Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table. Now the EU has to figure out how to navigate Donald Trump's demands on Ukraine to push for a immediate ceasefire — and whether it can still pull together as a bloc to support Ukraine. If not, leaders will need to come up with ways to work around Hungary's pledges to block fresh aid. Foreign ministers will resume those discussions today, ahead of Thursday's leaders summit. Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russian forces are trying to surround Ukraine's troops near Kursk, while Trump plans to speak to Putin tomorrow. "We are doing pretty well I think with Russia," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. — Kevin Whitelaw | |
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| Charm Offensive | Ireland is feeling particularly exposed to Trump's tariff threat. After the US president's pointed words for Prime Minister Micheal Martin last week, the Irish government is mounting a St. Patrick's Day diplomatic offensive to try and calm Trump's anger at a "massive" trade surplus. Stealth DEI | Companies like Roche and Nissan have backpedaled on DEI policies in the US under pressure from Trump's executive order, but many are quietly retaining those programs internationally. For one thing, complying with the spread of international diversity regulations is often non-negotiable. Spanish Appeal | Spain's central bank chief Jose Luis Escriva told Bloomberg TV that his country's economy is benefiting from its appeal for remote workers. Even so, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's decision to propose a 100% tax on non-residents from outside the EU buying houses in Spain rattled confidence. Late-Night Showdown | German chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz's decision to unleash the hundreds of billions in spending to transform the military and revamp its infrastructure is a watershed moment. But the path to this victory has been strewn with mistakes that highlight the 69-year-old's personal flaws and raise questions about how Merz will manage once he seals the coalition deal he needs to take office. | |
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| Standing Up | Anti-government protests are gathering significant momentum in Serbia. Hundreds of thousands of people took part in a weekend rally against President Aleksandar Vucic's government, the largest one in decades. Most opposition members are attending the protests, sparked by a deadly roof collapse in November. Candidate Approved | The leader of Romania's largest far-right party will be allowed to take part in May's presidential election after the previous frontrunner, whom he backed, was barred from the race. The electoral bureau cleared the candidacy of George Simion, pending final approval from top court. Abortion Activism | After years of protests over the nation's strict abortion laws, activists are opening a new front in the fight for reproductive rights. A new abortion clinic has opened — the first in decades — directly opposite the main entrance to the Polish parliament. AI Wave | No one has benefited more from the AI boom than Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. But he's well aware that corporate changes can move with brutal speed and is intent on securing a new foothold while his position is strong — despite all the obstacles. Read our deep dive on Huang. | |
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| The ECB will lower borrowing costs twice more, according to analysts we surveyed, but they no longer expect the benchmark rate to go below 2%. The slight shift in views follows plans by European governments to significantly boost investments in defense — an endeavor that's likely to perk up flagging economic growth and stoke inflation. | |
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| All times CET - EU foreign and energy ministers meet in Brussels
- 4 p.m. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas take part in EU donors conference for Syria
- EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic meets UK minister for EU relations Nick Thomas Symonds
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