Victor Jack
@victorjack.bsky.social
Energy Reporter @ POLITICO Europe
Donald Trump’s unending appetite for seizing Greenland is breathing new life into the idea of Europe setting up a UN-style Security Council.
EU officials and even leaders are getting behind the idea, while lawmakers are drafting legal options.
www.politico.eu/article/dona...
EU officials and even leaders are getting behind the idea, while lawmakers are drafting legal options.
www.politico.eu/article/dona...
Greenland crisis revives calls for European ‘security council’
A new body gathering the continent’s leaders could allow Europe to act more swiftly and decisively. But the plan remains politically divisive.
www.politico.eu
January 20, 2026 at 1:43 PM
Donald Trump’s unending appetite for seizing Greenland is breathing new life into the idea of Europe setting up a UN-style Security Council.
EU officials and even leaders are getting behind the idea, while lawmakers are drafting legal options.
www.politico.eu/article/dona...
EU officials and even leaders are getting behind the idea, while lawmakers are drafting legal options.
www.politico.eu/article/dona...
As Trump threatens to use the military to seize Greenland, European officials and diplomats have started quietly airing a previously unsayable thought: What would it look like to fight back?
One potential target: American military bases.
www.politico.eu/article/dona...
One potential target: American military bases.
www.politico.eu/article/dona...
Time to dump Trump? Europeans whisper last-resort options to save Greenland
The alliance is already broken, officials say, so why not threaten to cut ties with America on military collaboration?
www.politico.eu
January 16, 2026 at 9:10 AM
As Trump threatens to use the military to seize Greenland, European officials and diplomats have started quietly airing a previously unsayable thought: What would it look like to fight back?
One potential target: American military bases.
www.politico.eu/article/dona...
One potential target: American military bases.
www.politico.eu/article/dona...
If Donald Trump uses military force to grab Greenland, Denmark has options beyond NATO.
Instead, it could trigger Art 42.7, the EU's common defense pact. But doing so would mean overcoming high legal, political and military hurdles.
w/@jacopobarigazzi.bsky.social
www.politico.eu/article/5-th...
Instead, it could trigger Art 42.7, the EU's common defense pact. But doing so would mean overcoming high legal, political and military hurdles.
w/@jacopobarigazzi.bsky.social
www.politico.eu/article/5-th...
The EU’s little-known way to save Greenland without NATO
Denmark could trigger the EU’s little-known Article 42.7 if the U.S. attacks Greenland. But it would face high legal, political and military hurdles.
www.politico.eu
January 15, 2026 at 5:50 PM
If Donald Trump uses military force to grab Greenland, Denmark has options beyond NATO.
Instead, it could trigger Art 42.7, the EU's common defense pact. But doing so would mean overcoming high legal, political and military hurdles.
w/@jacopobarigazzi.bsky.social
www.politico.eu/article/5-th...
Instead, it could trigger Art 42.7, the EU's common defense pact. But doing so would mean overcoming high legal, political and military hurdles.
w/@jacopobarigazzi.bsky.social
www.politico.eu/article/5-th...
NEW: NATO countries today asked the alliance to strengthen its Arctic flank amid U.S. threats to seize Greenland, NATO diplomats said.
Envoys raised better use of intel, shifting assets, more defense spending & military exercises.
w/@jacopobarigazzi.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/nato...
Envoys raised better use of intel, shifting assets, more defense spending & military exercises.
w/@jacopobarigazzi.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/nato...
NATO weighs boosting Arctic security as Trump escalates Greenland claims
Ideas include better Arctic surveillance, more defense spending, transfers of military equipment and military exercises.
www.politico.eu
January 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM
NEW: NATO countries today asked the alliance to strengthen its Arctic flank amid U.S. threats to seize Greenland, NATO diplomats said.
Envoys raised better use of intel, shifting assets, more defense spending & military exercises.
w/@jacopobarigazzi.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/nato...
Envoys raised better use of intel, shifting assets, more defense spending & military exercises.
w/@jacopobarigazzi.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/nato...
As the U.S. continues to browbeat Denmark and Greenland, we looked into the different ways Europe could respond — from bolstering NATO's presence in the Arctic all the way to a tripwire force to raise the cost of U.S. military action.
w/ @zoyashef.bsky.social
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
w/ @zoyashef.bsky.social
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
How Europe will try to save Greenland from Trump
POLITICO spoke with officials, diplomats, experts and NATO insiders to map out 4 potential strategies for deterring the U.S. president.
www.politico.eu
January 8, 2026 at 9:31 AM
As the U.S. continues to browbeat Denmark and Greenland, we looked into the different ways Europe could respond — from bolstering NATO's presence in the Arctic all the way to a tripwire force to raise the cost of U.S. military action.
w/ @zoyashef.bsky.social
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
w/ @zoyashef.bsky.social
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
NEW: Pressure is mounting on NATO countries to spread more evenly the costs of buying desperately needed U.S. weapons for Ukraine, as the alliance looks to restructure its signature scheme.
www.politico.eu/article/nato...
www.politico.eu/article/nato...
NATO allies ‘punching below their weight’ face pressure to buy arms for Ukraine
Some non-NATO countries like Australia and New Zealand plan to chip in to the PURL scheme, while other allies are doing much less.
www.politico.eu
December 2, 2025 at 2:06 PM
NEW: Pressure is mounting on NATO countries to spread more evenly the costs of buying desperately needed U.S. weapons for Ukraine, as the alliance looks to restructure its signature scheme.
www.politico.eu/article/nato...
www.politico.eu/article/nato...
NEW: Europe is looking at joint offensive cyber operations and surprise military drills as Moscow steps up its campaign to destabilize NATO allies.
w/ @laukaya.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/euro...
w/ @laukaya.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/euro...
Europe thinks the unthinkable: Retaliating against Russia
Countries are looking at joint offensive cyber operations and surprise military drills as Moscow steps up its campaign to destabilize NATO allies.
www.politico.eu
November 27, 2025 at 2:17 PM
NEW: Europe is looking at joint offensive cyber operations and surprise military drills as Moscow steps up its campaign to destabilize NATO allies.
w/ @laukaya.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/euro...
w/ @laukaya.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/euro...
Russia has no veto over Kyiv’s bid to join NATO, alliance chief Mark Rutte said on Wednesday — rebuffing a peace deal proposal floated by Moscow and Washington that would block Ukraine from the alliance.
www.politico.eu/article/mark...
www.politico.eu/article/mark...
Rutte rules out Russian veto on Ukraine joining NATO
The alliance chief also warned that the threat Moscow poses to Europe will far outlast any peace deal reached with Kyiv.
www.politico.eu
November 26, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Russia has no veto over Kyiv’s bid to join NATO, alliance chief Mark Rutte said on Wednesday — rebuffing a peace deal proposal floated by Moscow and Washington that would block Ukraine from the alliance.
www.politico.eu/article/mark...
www.politico.eu/article/mark...
NEW: Russia is likely to test NATO’s collective defense pledge very soon, Sweden’s top general has said, as Moscow escalates its campaign of hybrid attacks against Europe.
w/ @jacopobarigazzi.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/russ...
w/ @jacopobarigazzi.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/russ...
Russia ‘prepared to take enormous strategic risks’ to test NATO, top Swedish general warns
Europe must prepare for a “generational” war with Russia, Swedish Chief of Defense Michael Claesson told POLITICO.
www.politico.eu
November 20, 2025 at 11:46 AM
NEW: Russia is likely to test NATO’s collective defense pledge very soon, Sweden’s top general has said, as Moscow escalates its campaign of hybrid attacks against Europe.
w/ @jacopobarigazzi.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/russ...
w/ @jacopobarigazzi.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/russ...
NEW: Gunvor said it was retracting its offer to buy the international assets of Russia's Lukoil's after the U.S. said it would "never" approve the deal.
It slammed the U.S. Treasury as "fundamentally misinformed" for branding it the "Kremlin's puppet." www.politico.eu/article/dona...
It slammed the U.S. Treasury as "fundamentally misinformed" for branding it the "Kremlin's puppet." www.politico.eu/article/dona...
Gunvor pulls offer for Russia’s Lukoil as US brands firm ‘Kremlin puppet’
The Swiss-based trading house, which had offered to buy the Russian oil giant’s international assets, called the accusation “fundamentally misinformed.”
www.politico.eu
November 6, 2025 at 10:21 PM
NEW: Gunvor said it was retracting its offer to buy the international assets of Russia's Lukoil's after the U.S. said it would "never" approve the deal.
It slammed the U.S. Treasury as "fundamentally misinformed" for branding it the "Kremlin's puppet." www.politico.eu/article/dona...
It slammed the U.S. Treasury as "fundamentally misinformed" for branding it the "Kremlin's puppet." www.politico.eu/article/dona...
NATO chief Mark Rutte today played down a U.S. decision to withdraw hundreds of troops from Romania, just as the alliance grapples with increasing numbers of suspected Russian hybrid attacks.
“This happens all the time,” Rutte told POLITICO at a press conference. www.politico.eu/article/nato...
“This happens all the time,” Rutte told POLITICO at a press conference. www.politico.eu/article/nato...
NATO downplays US troop drawdown as Russian hybrid attacks intensify
The announced withdrawal of troops “happens all the time,” says alliance Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
www.politico.eu
November 5, 2025 at 7:11 PM
NATO chief Mark Rutte today played down a U.S. decision to withdraw hundreds of troops from Romania, just as the alliance grapples with increasing numbers of suspected Russian hybrid attacks.
“This happens all the time,” Rutte told POLITICO at a press conference. www.politico.eu/article/nato...
“This happens all the time,” Rutte told POLITICO at a press conference. www.politico.eu/article/nato...
NEW: Bulgaria is exploring requesting an exemption to new U.S. sanctions against Lukoil, according to two people familiar with the matter, as it fears the measures will cause severe fuel shortages and a populist backlash across the country.
www.politico.eu/article/bulg...
www.politico.eu/article/bulg...
Bulgaria sounds out exemption to Trump’s oil sanctions amid fears of fuel shortages
Sofia argues argues its Lukoil-owned Burgas refinery could stop working. Experts argue it’s playing for time.
www.politico.eu
November 1, 2025 at 11:22 AM
NEW: Bulgaria is exploring requesting an exemption to new U.S. sanctions against Lukoil, according to two people familiar with the matter, as it fears the measures will cause severe fuel shortages and a populist backlash across the country.
www.politico.eu/article/bulg...
www.politico.eu/article/bulg...
EU countries are considering postponing imposing higher taxes on gas, electricity and other fuels by an extra year as they seek a deal on the bloc’s revamped energy tax rules.
pro.politico.eu/news/207592
pro.politico.eu/news/207592
POLITICO Pro
pro.politico.eu
October 31, 2025 at 11:38 AM
EU countries are considering postponing imposing higher taxes on gas, electricity and other fuels by an extra year as they seek a deal on the bloc’s revamped energy tax rules.
pro.politico.eu/news/207592
pro.politico.eu/news/207592
NEW: Donald Trump’s surprise move to sanction Russia’s largest oil companies won’t paralyze Russia’s war machine — but it could help the EU quit Moscow’s oil for good.
For Lukoil in particular, it will be “catastrophic,” said one former exec. w/@evahartog.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/dona...
For Lukoil in particular, it will be “catastrophic,” said one former exec. w/@evahartog.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/dona...
Trump does what Brussels couldn’t: Kill Russian oil in Europe
New U.S. sanctions will be “catastrophic” for Lukoil’s operations across the continent, warns former company executive.
www.politico.eu
October 24, 2025 at 11:03 AM
NEW: Donald Trump’s surprise move to sanction Russia’s largest oil companies won’t paralyze Russia’s war machine — but it could help the EU quit Moscow’s oil for good.
For Lukoil in particular, it will be “catastrophic,” said one former exec. w/@evahartog.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/dona...
For Lukoil in particular, it will be “catastrophic,” said one former exec. w/@evahartog.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/dona...
NEW: A requirement asking EU countries to track Russian gas cargoes before they enter the bloc will likely remain part of Brussels’ ban on Moscow's imports.
Despite pushback from France among others, the final country negotiation document keeps that requirement in place.
pro.politico.eu/news/206691
Despite pushback from France among others, the final country negotiation document keeps that requirement in place.
pro.politico.eu/news/206691
POLITICO Pro
pro.politico.eu
October 16, 2025 at 4:11 PM
NEW: A requirement asking EU countries to track Russian gas cargoes before they enter the bloc will likely remain part of Brussels’ ban on Moscow's imports.
Despite pushback from France among others, the final country negotiation document keeps that requirement in place.
pro.politico.eu/news/206691
Despite pushback from France among others, the final country negotiation document keeps that requirement in place.
pro.politico.eu/news/206691
Pressure is growing on NATO countries to join the organisation's arms-buying program for Ukraine, after a majority of allies on Wednesday said they were backing the scheme backed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
www.politico.eu/article/pres...
www.politico.eu/article/pres...
Pressure mounts on NATO allies to go all-in on Trump arms scheme for Ukraine
A majority of NATO countries have joined the PURL scheme, and the rest are under pressure “to put your money where your mouth is.”
www.politico.eu
October 16, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Pressure is growing on NATO countries to join the organisation's arms-buying program for Ukraine, after a majority of allies on Wednesday said they were backing the scheme backed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
www.politico.eu/article/pres...
www.politico.eu/article/pres...
NATO defense ministers meet today, as the alliance strains to protect its skies after recent airspace violations.
A key issue to resolve: whether national rules are stopping NATO’s top military officer from effectively tackling these aerial threats.
www.politico.eu/article/nato...
A key issue to resolve: whether national rules are stopping NATO’s top military officer from effectively tackling these aerial threats.
www.politico.eu/article/nato...
NATO scrambles to fix ‘patchwork’ air defenses as Putin lurks
Mounting drone incursions are sparking a debate on national rules that some see as limiting NATO’s top military officer.
www.politico.eu
October 15, 2025 at 6:56 AM
NATO defense ministers meet today, as the alliance strains to protect its skies after recent airspace violations.
A key issue to resolve: whether national rules are stopping NATO’s top military officer from effectively tackling these aerial threats.
www.politico.eu/article/nato...
A key issue to resolve: whether national rules are stopping NATO’s top military officer from effectively tackling these aerial threats.
www.politico.eu/article/nato...
EU ambassadors today failed to finalize their position on Brussels’ landmark plan to end imports of Russian gas by the end of 2027 after persisting technical concerns over the text.
w/ @gabrielgavin.bsky.social
pro.politico.eu/news/206123
w/ @gabrielgavin.bsky.social
pro.politico.eu/news/206123
POLITICO Pro
pro.politico.eu
October 8, 2025 at 10:53 AM
EU ambassadors today failed to finalize their position on Brussels’ landmark plan to end imports of Russian gas by the end of 2027 after persisting technical concerns over the text.
w/ @gabrielgavin.bsky.social
pro.politico.eu/news/206123
w/ @gabrielgavin.bsky.social
pro.politico.eu/news/206123
Reposted by Victor Jack
The Shadow Fleet shipping Russia's oil is already leaving trails of oil in its wake, raising the question of who will pay up if the worst is to happen.
Our latest investigation with @victorjack.bsky.social of @politico.eu, using data from @skytruth.org.
www.source-material.org/shadow-fleet...
Our latest investigation with @victorjack.bsky.social of @politico.eu, using data from @skytruth.org.
www.source-material.org/shadow-fleet...
Shadow fleet slicks test limits of EU sanctions – SourceMaterial
As the West continues to blacklist ship carrying Russian oil, new slicks near Europe’s shores test the limits of Western sanctions
www.source-material.org
October 6, 2025 at 9:27 AM
The Shadow Fleet shipping Russia's oil is already leaving trails of oil in its wake, raising the question of who will pay up if the worst is to happen.
Our latest investigation with @victorjack.bsky.social of @politico.eu, using data from @skytruth.org.
www.source-material.org/shadow-fleet...
Our latest investigation with @victorjack.bsky.social of @politico.eu, using data from @skytruth.org.
www.source-material.org/shadow-fleet...
NEW: Russian-linked vessels are continuing to leak oil off Europe’s shores — despite Western sanctions — underscoring the continent’s inability to rein in Moscow’s so-called shadow fleet.
Read our joint investigation with @source-material.org here:
www.politico.eu/article/russ...
Read our joint investigation with @source-material.org here:
www.politico.eu/article/russ...
Russia’s blacklisted tankers keep dumping oil in Europe’s seas
Shadow fleet vessels sailed unimpeded in EU waters after leaving slicks near the continent.
www.politico.eu
October 6, 2025 at 8:25 AM
NEW: Russian-linked vessels are continuing to leak oil off Europe’s shores — despite Western sanctions — underscoring the continent’s inability to rein in Moscow’s so-called shadow fleet.
Read our joint investigation with @source-material.org here:
www.politico.eu/article/russ...
Read our joint investigation with @source-material.org here:
www.politico.eu/article/russ...
NEW: The European Parliament will push for an accelerated Russian gas ban by late-2026 and an end to Moscow's oil imports by the end of this year, per a provisional deal by POLITICO.
pro.politico.eu/news/205873
pro.politico.eu/news/205873
POLITICO Pro
pro.politico.eu
October 3, 2025 at 1:30 PM
NEW: The European Parliament will push for an accelerated Russian gas ban by late-2026 and an end to Moscow's oil imports by the end of this year, per a provisional deal by POLITICO.
pro.politico.eu/news/205873
pro.politico.eu/news/205873
Reposted by Victor Jack
What are NATO’s rules of engagement? How can they be changed? Why didnt NATO shot down the Russian warplanes last week? Read our explainer, with @victorjack.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/nato...
Finger on the trigger: How NATO is responding to Russia’s airspace violations
NATO is a defensive alliance, which makes it very cautious about responding with force to Russia’s provocations.
www.politico.eu
September 24, 2025 at 8:00 AM
What are NATO’s rules of engagement? How can they be changed? Why didnt NATO shot down the Russian warplanes last week? Read our explainer, with @victorjack.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/nato...
pro.politico.eu/news/205440
EU countries are considering easing reporting requirements for tracking Russian gas imports to the bloc as part of Brussels’ mooted supply ban, per a doc obtained by POLITICO.
EU countries are considering easing reporting requirements for tracking Russian gas imports to the bloc as part of Brussels’ mooted supply ban, per a doc obtained by POLITICO.
POLITICO Pro
pro.politico.eu
September 26, 2025 at 11:04 AM
pro.politico.eu/news/205440
EU countries are considering easing reporting requirements for tracking Russian gas imports to the bloc as part of Brussels’ mooted supply ban, per a doc obtained by POLITICO.
EU countries are considering easing reporting requirements for tracking Russian gas imports to the bloc as part of Brussels’ mooted supply ban, per a doc obtained by POLITICO.
The EU plans to propose sanctions on more Chinese companies this week, just as Donald Trump pressures the bloc to slap sweeping tariffs on Beijing as a condition for more sanctions on Russia.
www.politico.eu/article/eu-c... w/ @camgijs.bsky.social @zimmerfrau.bsky.social @gabrielgavin.bsky.social
www.politico.eu/article/eu-c... w/ @camgijs.bsky.social @zimmerfrau.bsky.social @gabrielgavin.bsky.social
EU plans more sanctions on China. Will that be enough for Trump?
Donald Trump says he’ll slap a harsh embargo on the Kremlin if Brussels turns the screws on China, but EU diplomats suspect the U.S. president is stalling.
www.politico.eu
September 17, 2025 at 8:33 AM
The EU plans to propose sanctions on more Chinese companies this week, just as Donald Trump pressures the bloc to slap sweeping tariffs on Beijing as a condition for more sanctions on Russia.
www.politico.eu/article/eu-c... w/ @camgijs.bsky.social @zimmerfrau.bsky.social @gabrielgavin.bsky.social
www.politico.eu/article/eu-c... w/ @camgijs.bsky.social @zimmerfrau.bsky.social @gabrielgavin.bsky.social
www.politico.eu/article/quit...
If Donald Trump is going to slap sanctions on Russia, there are a few things he’d like NATO allies to do first.
But meeting some of these demands will be easier than others. w/ @camgijs.bsky.social @zimmerfrau.bsky.social @gabrielgavin.bsky.social
If Donald Trump is going to slap sanctions on Russia, there are a few things he’d like NATO allies to do first.
But meeting some of these demands will be easier than others. w/ @camgijs.bsky.social @zimmerfrau.bsky.social @gabrielgavin.bsky.social
Quit Russian oil? For the EU, Trump’s other demands are even harder.
From facing down Hungary and Slovakia to taking on Turkey and China, meeting the U.S. president’s requests will be challenging.
www.politico.eu
September 16, 2025 at 8:44 AM
www.politico.eu/article/quit...
If Donald Trump is going to slap sanctions on Russia, there are a few things he’d like NATO allies to do first.
But meeting some of these demands will be easier than others. w/ @camgijs.bsky.social @zimmerfrau.bsky.social @gabrielgavin.bsky.social
If Donald Trump is going to slap sanctions on Russia, there are a few things he’d like NATO allies to do first.
But meeting some of these demands will be easier than others. w/ @camgijs.bsky.social @zimmerfrau.bsky.social @gabrielgavin.bsky.social