Federico Pisani
@federicopisani.bsky.social
Economist, specialized in biotech and EU policy.
A very interesting post, and thread.
Also to note the preponderance of UK media, which can partly explain the saturation in European public discourse with anglosphere biases and language.
An easy indicator of this issue is the use of "bloc" instead of "union" when referring to the EU.
Also to note the preponderance of UK media, which can partly explain the saturation in European public discourse with anglosphere biases and language.
An easy indicator of this issue is the use of "bloc" instead of "union" when referring to the EU.
European news sites on social media
(8 countries, 56 selected media)
- X dominates as microblogging platform, but a crisis is looming: some major news European outlets have archived their X accounts over the last year, for reasons of disinformation...
[1/6]
(8 countries, 56 selected media)
- X dominates as microblogging platform, but a crisis is looming: some major news European outlets have archived their X accounts over the last year, for reasons of disinformation...
[1/6]
December 11, 2025 at 7:45 PM
A very interesting post, and thread.
Also to note the preponderance of UK media, which can partly explain the saturation in European public discourse with anglosphere biases and language.
An easy indicator of this issue is the use of "bloc" instead of "union" when referring to the EU.
Also to note the preponderance of UK media, which can partly explain the saturation in European public discourse with anglosphere biases and language.
An easy indicator of this issue is the use of "bloc" instead of "union" when referring to the EU.
Reposted by Federico Pisani
Regardless of what happens to the reparations loan, which is still under intense negotiations, the Russian assets will be protected from undue interference.
It's a bold decision and an act of defiance. The Europeans are finally playing their cards.
It's a bold decision and an act of defiance. The Europeans are finally playing their cards.
EU agrees to indefinitely immobilise €210 billion of Russian assets
The EU has decided to keep the assets of the Russian Central Bank immobilised for the foreseeable future. The ban, which is based on a provision for economic emergencies, pushes back against external attempts to release the €210 billion in assets before Ukraine is compensated.
www.euronews.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Regardless of what happens to the reparations loan, which is still under intense negotiations, the Russian assets will be protected from undue interference.
It's a bold decision and an act of defiance. The Europeans are finally playing their cards.
It's a bold decision and an act of defiance. The Europeans are finally playing their cards.
Reposted by Federico Pisani
The European Union has triggered Article 122 to indefinitely immobilise the assets of the Russian Central Bank, worth a whopping €210 billion.
I explain what just happened and why this is such a big deal for Europeans.
🧵 Long thread.
I explain what just happened and why this is such a big deal for Europeans.
🧵 Long thread.
December 11, 2025 at 6:16 PM
The European Union has triggered Article 122 to indefinitely immobilise the assets of the Russian Central Bank, worth a whopping €210 billion.
I explain what just happened and why this is such a big deal for Europeans.
🧵 Long thread.
I explain what just happened and why this is such a big deal for Europeans.
🧵 Long thread.
Reposted by Federico Pisani
💔 A European Parliament interpreter could not hold back tears during the speech of 11-year-old Roman Oleksiv from Lviv.
The boy survived a missile strike on Vinnytsia on July 14, 2022, which killed his mother - it was the last time he saw her alive.
The boy survived a missile strike on Vinnytsia on July 14, 2022, which killed his mother - it was the last time he saw her alive.
December 10, 2025 at 9:34 PM
💔 A European Parliament interpreter could not hold back tears during the speech of 11-year-old Roman Oleksiv from Lviv.
The boy survived a missile strike on Vinnytsia on July 14, 2022, which killed his mother - it was the last time he saw her alive.
The boy survived a missile strike on Vinnytsia on July 14, 2022, which killed his mother - it was the last time he saw her alive.
Interesting to see that while all the focus and pressure piles up on Belgium and the EU more broadly, other countries also have Russian funds but aren’t neither disclosing information nor acting on those.
It seems to be a double standard to the detriment of the EU, which is counterproductive.
It seems to be a double standard to the detriment of the EU, which is counterproductive.
🇪🇺🇺🇦 EU prepares legal mechanism to unblock Russian assets for Ukraine, - Politico
A legal framework is currently being developed that, according to officials, will avoid a situation where a single EU country, such as Hungary or Slovakia, can block the extension of sanctions against Moscow.
A legal framework is currently being developed that, according to officials, will avoid a situation where a single EU country, such as Hungary or Slovakia, can block the extension of sanctions against Moscow.
December 3, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Interesting to see that while all the focus and pressure piles up on Belgium and the EU more broadly, other countries also have Russian funds but aren’t neither disclosing information nor acting on those.
It seems to be a double standard to the detriment of the EU, which is counterproductive.
It seems to be a double standard to the detriment of the EU, which is counterproductive.
With the use of "just" in the framing of the story, and the comparison of apples and oranges (Canada and UK), many media outlet fall into the trap of UK-centric spins and narrative.
Unfortunately, not the first nor the last, but something to address to better inform European citizens and readers.
Unfortunately, not the first nor the last, but something to address to better inform European citizens and readers.
Canada will pay a cut price €10m to have access to the EU’s new defence procurement scheme, the EU Commission confirmed on Tuesday (2 December), days after talks on a similar deal with the UK broke down after the commission demanded a €2bn fee.
Canada pays just €10m to access EU defence market after UK talks collapse
Canada will pay a cut price €10m to have access to the EU’s new defence procurement scheme, the EU Commission confirmed on Tuesday (2 December), days after talks on a similar deal with the UK broke down after the commission demanded a €2bn fee.
euobserver.com
December 3, 2025 at 7:22 AM
With the use of "just" in the framing of the story, and the comparison of apples and oranges (Canada and UK), many media outlet fall into the trap of UK-centric spins and narrative.
Unfortunately, not the first nor the last, but something to address to better inform European citizens and readers.
Unfortunately, not the first nor the last, but something to address to better inform European citizens and readers.
Reposted by Federico Pisani
For now Europe dominates the global export of pharmaceuticals. Source: buff.ly/6bWCvGj
November 26, 2025 at 4:30 PM
For now Europe dominates the global export of pharmaceuticals. Source: buff.ly/6bWCvGj
Excellent channel to learn more about Europe, EU affairs and ongoing international issues.
Jean Monnet: The Quiet Architect Who Built Europe
This is the untold story of Jean Monnet, the man who shaped modern Europe. From the chaos of two world wars, Monnet crafted a vision for unity that became the foundation of today’s European Union.
This is the untold story of Jean Monnet, the man who shaped modern Europe. From the chaos of two world wars, Monnet crafted a vision for unity that became the foundation of today’s European Union.
Jean Monnet: The Quiet Architect Who Built Europe (Forgotten European Heroes Ep. 2)
YouTube video by EU Made Simple
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Excellent channel to learn more about Europe, EU affairs and ongoing international issues.
Insightful overview matched with concrete proposals.
What will it take for Europe to defend itself with reduced American support?
@maxbergmann.bsky.social outlines key vulnerabilities that would be created from a withdrawal of US forces––and how Europe can work cohesively to guarantee its own security.
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhQj...
@maxbergmann.bsky.social outlines key vulnerabilities that would be created from a withdrawal of US forces––and how Europe can work cohesively to guarantee its own security.
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhQj...
How Europe Can Defend Itself with Less America
YouTube video by Center for Strategic & International Studies
www.youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Insightful overview matched with concrete proposals.
Interesting reflection on how "reset" and "rebalance" are (mis-)understood beyond the Manche, often simply resulting in rhetorical efforts that ultimately keep trying to push the same exceptionalist ideas.
As the European polity emerges, European interests will be increasingly strongly protected.
As the European polity emerges, European interests will be increasingly strongly protected.
A disappointing and overly simplistic response to what deserves a more balanced and informed conversation.
Indeed, the European Union is playing way too nice with a bad faith third country and should use its full leverage, including opening negotiations directly with Scotland for streamlined accession talks.
The balance of power is not reflected by UK media and the Brits discussing it. Time to rebalance.
The balance of power is not reflected by UK media and the Brits discussing it. Time to rebalance.
November 11, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Interesting reflection on how "reset" and "rebalance" are (mis-)understood beyond the Manche, often simply resulting in rhetorical efforts that ultimately keep trying to push the same exceptionalist ideas.
As the European polity emerges, European interests will be increasingly strongly protected.
As the European polity emerges, European interests will be increasingly strongly protected.
Extremely interesting piece.
The question of this moment is whether Europe will be a bastion of democratic resilience or a vassal.
My piece in Tech Policy Press.
www.techpolicy.press/europe-isnt-...
My piece in Tech Policy Press.
www.techpolicy.press/europe-isnt-...
Europe Isn’t Weak—It Just Pretends To Be. Here’s How to Fix That. | TechPolicy.Press
Europe must reclaim digital sovereignty through three levers: politics, policing, and procurement, writes Johnny Ryan.
www.techpolicy.press
October 24, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Extremely interesting piece.
Reposted by Federico Pisani
This is an incredibly impressive articulation by the Belgium Prime Minister of the complications of seizing Russian assets. My view is 1) just do Eurobonds and save yourself the headache! 2) Still, it‘s a war, seize the assets. 3) The EU will figure this out.
audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/media/vid...
audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/media/vid...
Audiovisual Service
audiovisual.ec.europa.eu
October 24, 2025 at 7:33 PM
This is an incredibly impressive articulation by the Belgium Prime Minister of the complications of seizing Russian assets. My view is 1) just do Eurobonds and save yourself the headache! 2) Still, it‘s a war, seize the assets. 3) The EU will figure this out.
audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/media/vid...
audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/media/vid...
Reposted by Federico Pisani
Dr. Jane Goodall filmed an interview with Netflix in March 2025 that she understood would only be released after her death.
October 5, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Dr. Jane Goodall filmed an interview with Netflix in March 2025 that she understood would only be released after her death.
Utlimately, any UK-based pundit will reiterate that the EU can only do important things if it involves the UK.
"albeit serious thought will have to go into how best to involve non-EU European states such as the UK, Norway, Switzerland and even Canada".
But... 1/n
"albeit serious thought will have to go into how best to involve non-EU European states such as the UK, Norway, Switzerland and even Canada".
But... 1/n
Great piece by @anandmenon.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The European Union was designed for peace – it is never going to be a war machine | Anand Menon
Reacting to the Russian military threat would require the bloc to be agile and decisive. It is many great things, but it is not that, says Anand Menon, director of UK in a Changing Europe
www.theguardian.com
October 1, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Utlimately, any UK-based pundit will reiterate that the EU can only do important things if it involves the UK.
"albeit serious thought will have to go into how best to involve non-EU European states such as the UK, Norway, Switzerland and even Canada".
But... 1/n
"albeit serious thought will have to go into how best to involve non-EU European states such as the UK, Norway, Switzerland and even Canada".
But... 1/n
Curious to know if he could be prosecuted by the European Parliament and authorities for corruption.
This is presumably an illegal behavior under EU law, but there could be a prescription timeline or conditions that would stop this from being prosecuted.
This is presumably an illegal behavior under EU law, but there could be a prescription timeline or conditions that would stop this from being prosecuted.
Nathan Gill, the former Welsh leader of Nigel Farage’s right-wing party Reform UK has admitted to taking bribes in exchange for making pro-Russia statements while a member of the European Parliament.
Ex-Brexit Party MEP pleads guilty in Russia bribe case
Nathan Gill admitted to taking bribes in exchange for making pro-Kremlin statements while he was a member of the European Parliament.
www.politico.eu
September 27, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Curious to know if he could be prosecuted by the European Parliament and authorities for corruption.
This is presumably an illegal behavior under EU law, but there could be a prescription timeline or conditions that would stop this from being prosecuted.
This is presumably an illegal behavior under EU law, but there could be a prescription timeline or conditions that would stop this from being prosecuted.
I partly agree, but I don’t think everything to do with the European Union starts and ends with trade and economics. As many in UK tend to do (dr Peers is not the one I’m talking about).
Retaliation would be primarily political and in many different areas, where the EU already has cards to play.
Retaliation would be primarily political and in many different areas, where the EU already has cards to play.
If the Reform Party plan to abolish indefinite leave to remain also abolishes settled status for EU citizens, that would be a breach of the withdrawal agreement, liable to lead to the EU retaliating by removing trade preferences.
September 23, 2025 at 6:31 AM
I partly agree, but I don’t think everything to do with the European Union starts and ends with trade and economics. As many in UK tend to do (dr Peers is not the one I’m talking about).
Retaliation would be primarily political and in many different areas, where the EU already has cards to play.
Retaliation would be primarily political and in many different areas, where the EU already has cards to play.
There’s a lot going on, but what’s happening in Georgia must remain in the spotlight. Georgia is Europe.
Géorgie: le Parlement ouvre la voie à l'interdiction de tous les partis d'opposition
Géorgie: le Parlement ouvre la voie à l'interdiction de tous les partis d'opposition
Toute opposition politique est désormais illégale en Géorgie : mercredi 3 septembre, le Parlement géorgien a adopté un rapport qui interdit les partis d'opposition. Alors que les manifestations contre Rêve géorgien, la formation pro-russe au pouvoir accusée de dérive autoritaire, se poursuivent de façon quotidienne, la répression va crescendo dans le pays où toutes les voix dissonantes sont réprimées.
rfi.my
September 4, 2025 at 3:50 PM
There’s a lot going on, but what’s happening in Georgia must remain in the spotlight. Georgia is Europe.
A catch 22 issue here.
Will the EU will grant freer cross-border access to the EU that would allow the UK to make these facilities (and personnel) redundant without the UK first proving it does control its borders effectively (thus setting up the infrastructure, software, and hiring the personnel)?
Will the EU will grant freer cross-border access to the EU that would allow the UK to make these facilities (and personnel) redundant without the UK first proving it does control its borders effectively (thus setting up the infrastructure, software, and hiring the personnel)?
🚨🚨‘Wasted time, effort and money’: Britain’s £800M Brexit border debacle". If anyone forgot about it, this is a reminder of the still disastrous effects of #brexit that still brings misery and pain to Britain. 🧵
www.politico.eu/article/brex...
www.politico.eu/article/brex...
‘Wasted time, effort and money’: Britain’s £800M Brexit border debacle
“White elephant” border inspection facilities face bleak future after U.K.-EU trade deal.
www.politico.eu
September 3, 2025 at 9:33 AM
A catch 22 issue here.
Will the EU will grant freer cross-border access to the EU that would allow the UK to make these facilities (and personnel) redundant without the UK first proving it does control its borders effectively (thus setting up the infrastructure, software, and hiring the personnel)?
Will the EU will grant freer cross-border access to the EU that would allow the UK to make these facilities (and personnel) redundant without the UK first proving it does control its borders effectively (thus setting up the infrastructure, software, and hiring the personnel)?
Reposted by Federico Pisani
29th August 1991, Cosa Nostra kills entrepreneur Libero Grassi (photo, right), the first business owner in Palermo to publically refuse to pay protection money. At his funeral (photo, left) his son Davide makes the sign of victory while carrying his father's coffin.
August 29, 2025 at 9:29 AM
29th August 1991, Cosa Nostra kills entrepreneur Libero Grassi (photo, right), the first business owner in Palermo to publically refuse to pay protection money. At his funeral (photo, left) his son Davide makes the sign of victory while carrying his father's coffin.
Reposted by Federico Pisani
A big hug to the colleagues of the EU Delegation to Ukraine.
August 28, 2025 at 9:46 AM
A big hug to the colleagues of the EU Delegation to Ukraine.
This is an excellent point.
There have been all kinds of different forms of statehood over the past 3 millennia. If we finally stop treating a very specific and probably ephemeral form of late 19th/early 20th century form of state configuration as the be all and end all I think we can start calling the EU a supranational state
August 27, 2025 at 2:11 PM
This is an excellent point.
Reposted by Federico Pisani
This song remains incredibly relevant in 2025.
Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes ft Teddy Pendergrass
performing "wake up everybody"
Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes ft Teddy Pendergrass
performing "wake up everybody"
August 27, 2025 at 12:24 PM
This song remains incredibly relevant in 2025.
Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes ft Teddy Pendergrass
performing "wake up everybody"
Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes ft Teddy Pendergrass
performing "wake up everybody"
Must watch.
Just got round to watching Mario Draghi's speech in Rimini in the original Italian. It is easily the most important speech on Europe so far this year and I hope someone (@grandcontinent.bsky.social?) publishes it in English and other EU languages soon.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMME...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMME...
Mario Draghi’s Full Speech: Europe’s Harsh Reality — Powerless on the Global Stage! -ITALIAN-
YouTube video by EU Debates | eudebates.tv
www.youtube.com
August 24, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Must watch.
Reposted by Federico Pisani
1/ This EU-US deal delay is exactly what I expected. The headlines in July were all about the big announcement. Tariff ceilings, energy commitments, a "deal" with the EU. But as predicted, the real fights were just getting started.
buff.ly/BiGPnUS
buff.ly/BiGPnUS
August 18, 2025 at 2:44 PM
1/ This EU-US deal delay is exactly what I expected. The headlines in July were all about the big announcement. Tariff ceilings, energy commitments, a "deal" with the EU. But as predicted, the real fights were just getting started.
buff.ly/BiGPnUS
buff.ly/BiGPnUS
It surprises me that this keeps happening (apparently) without citizens firing back with assault rifles, in the country where so many carry guns to do their groceries.
This contradiction between pro-gun fantasies of resisting tyrannical government (by carrying guns) and reality is impressive.
This contradiction between pro-gun fantasies of resisting tyrannical government (by carrying guns) and reality is impressive.
Federal agents violently detained a food delivery driver as he emerged from a D.C. coffee shop Saturday morning.
The incident captured on video showed the officers throwing him to the ground and beating him before sweeping him away in an unmarked vehicle. wapo.st/45Egtkc
The incident captured on video showed the officers throwing him to the ground and beating him before sweeping him away in an unmarked vehicle. wapo.st/45Egtkc
August 18, 2025 at 12:02 PM
It surprises me that this keeps happening (apparently) without citizens firing back with assault rifles, in the country where so many carry guns to do their groceries.
This contradiction between pro-gun fantasies of resisting tyrannical government (by carrying guns) and reality is impressive.
This contradiction between pro-gun fantasies of resisting tyrannical government (by carrying guns) and reality is impressive.