Europe’s Thursday news cycle was dominated by geopolitics, financial manoeuvres, and market reactions.
The EU explored new ways to fund Ukraine using frozen Russian assets, Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron escalated their legal fight in the US, the Bank of England slowed its bond-selling programme, Donald Trump criticised Vladimir Putin for inaction on Ukraine, and European stocks rose after key central bank decisions.
Brussels explores Ukraine “reparation loan”
The European Union is weighing a plan to use frozen Russian assets to back a so-called “reparation loan” for Ukraine, as per a Reuters report.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen floated the concept last week, as Kyiv faces reduced direct US military funding.
Ukraine would only repay once it secures reparations from Russia, insulating its finances in the interim.
The loan would be backed by cash balances tied to Russian central bank assets frozen in the West, sidestepping outright seizure — a step some EU capitals oppose.
Brussels is also seeking to design the mechanism to avoid a Hungarian veto, as Budapest’s Russian oil purchases have drawn irritation in Washington.
Macrons take US legal fight further
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, are preparing to present photographic and scientific evidence in a US court to counter false claims about Mrs Macron’s gender.
The couple is suing right-wing commentator Candace Owens, who promoted the claim that Brigitte Macron was born male.
Their lawyer, Tom Clare in a BBC interview, said the allegations have been “incredibly upsetting” and a distraction for the French president.
He confirmed the case would include expert testimony of a scientific nature, though specifics have not yet been disclosed.
Owens’ lawyers have filed a motion to dismiss.
Trump rebukes Putin over Ukraine
At Chequers with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, US President Donald Trump sharply criticised Vladimir Putin, saying the Russian leader had “really let me down” by failing to push for an end to the Ukraine war.
Trump, who previously touted his personal relationship with Putin, said he had believed the conflict would be the “easiest to solve.”
He noted that Russian casualties were higher than Ukrainian, but insisted Moscow had shown little willingness to change course.
European markets rise after central bank moves
European stocks closed higher on Thursday as investors digested central bank signals.
The Stoxx 600 rose 0.8%, with all major bourses in positive territory.
The pound slipped 0.6% against the dollar following the BoE’s decision, while UK gilt yields ticked higher.
Markets also absorbed the US Federal Reserve’s quarter-point rate cut, with Chair Jerome Powell stressing the move was “risk management” rather than the start of a deeper easing cycle.
Among notable movers, Novo Nordisk surged 6.2% after reporting that trials of its Wegovy obesity pill had delivered “significant” weight loss results.
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