Europe Briefing

• Rikard Jozwiak's "Wider Europe Briefing" highlights the EU's "Super Tuesday" regarding enlargement and the status of Ukrainian civil detainees held by Russia. • A coalition of nations, including Belgium, Bulgaria, and Sweden, criticized the European Commission for allegedly "sugarcoating" Serbia's progress on necessary reforms. • These countries pointed to the Commission's own rule-of-law report from one month prior, which heavily criticized Belgrade on multiple issues.

• EU officials are proposing new sanctions against Russia, specifically targeting the Moscow-based League for Assistance to Defense Enterprises and various military companies. • The measures focus on restricting components used for drones in the Ukraine war, including CNC machines, lasers, and lighting equipment used for reconnaissance and kamikaze missions. • These sanctions aim to cripple the modernization and growth of the Russian military industry by cutting off essential technological supplies.