Friday Briefing: The E.U.’s aid deal for Ukraine

Plus, a Grammys preview.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story February 2, 2024 By Jonathan Wolfe Good morning. We're covering E.U. aid for Ukraine and U.S. sanctions on Israeli settlers. Plus: A Grammys preview. Taking humanitarian aid home, in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. Finbarr O'Reilly for The New York Times The E.U. reached a Ukraine aid deal The E.U. reached a landmark $54 billion funding deal yesterday to help Ukraine alleviate a potentially severe financial crisis. The country's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, quickly thanked his European neighbors but also alluded to uncertainty over a $60 billion aid package for Ukraine currently languishing in the U.S. Congress. The breakthrough was significant for both Ukraine and the E.U., enabling Ukraine's economy to stay afloat for the next four years and demonstrating European resolve to stand united against Russia. To reach a deal, our correspondents wrote that European leaders played a game of good cop-bad cop to cajole and pressure Viktor Orban, Hungary's prime minister, who had resisted a deal. After weeks of standing in the way as the only holdout among 27 leaders, he ultimately folded under the pressure campaign. Orban's goal: His real aim is to lead a populist and nativist rebellion against Europe's liberal elite, though that campaign is showing signs of faltering. What's next: The European Parliament needs to approve the fund by simple majority, a bar that should be easily cleared, and the vote could take place this month. Related: Russia plans to seize the property of antiwar citizens who live abroad and is pressuring other countries to crack down on them as well. Buildings damaged in a settler rampage in the West Bank village of Huwara last year. Samar Hazboun for The New York Times Biden imposed sanctions on Israeli settlers President Biden ordered broad financial and travel sanctions on Israeli settlers accused of violent attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank. The move is a forceful gesture aimed, in part, at Arab American voters in the U.S. who have expressed fury about the president's backing of Israel's war in Gaza. The move cuts settlers off from the U.S. financial system and prevents them from traveling to America, among other restrictions. The sanctions, which will initially be imposed on four Israelis, go further than a directive issued in December by the State Department, which imposed visa bans on dozens of Israeli settlers who have committed acts of violence in the West Bank. Context: Violent actions by Israeli settlers meant to drive Palestinians from their homes, already at a record level before the Oct. 7 attacks, have accelerated since then. Demolitions in Gaza: A Times visual analysis shows how Israeli ground forces have carried out a wave of controlled demolitions that have razed entire neighborhoods in Gaza. A demonstration at the French-German border yesterday. Patrick Hertzog/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Unions urged French farmers to end roadblocks In a reprieve after more than a week of protests, France's main farmers' unions called yesterday for an end to roadblocks across the country, expressing cautious satisfaction with a flurry of new government announcements intended to appease them. The unions said that they would monitor closely the government's promises of new financial aid and a loosening of regulations ahead of a major farming trade fair scheduled for this month in Paris. But whether the approximately 10,000 farmers at the 100 or so barricades would heed the union leaders' call and go home was not immediately clear. Related: At a gathering of E.U. leaders in Belgium, thousands of farmers protested the bloc's farming policies and environmental rules. Farmers' protests have also broken out in recent weeks in Portugal, Germany and Greece. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT THE LATEST NEWS Around the World Erin Schaff/The New York Times President Biden's campaign is beating Donald Trump's in fund-raising, with about $46 million in cash on hand at the end of 2023; Trump's campaign had $33 million. Iran has slowed its production of enriched uranium, the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog said. Universal Music Group revoked its licenses for the social media platform TikTok, causing it to pull songs by Taylor Swift, Drake and thousands of other musicians. Europe News Timm Reichert/Reuters Security screeners began a one-day walkout at 11 of Germany's busiest airports, scuttling travel plans for an expected 200,000 people. A British court threw out Donald Trump's lawsuit against Christopher Steele, who compiled a dossier detailing unproven claims of links between Trump and Russia. Police in Paris are investigating the theft of $1.6 million in wine that was stolen from La Tour d'Argent, a renowned restaurant in Paris. What Else Is Happening A report found that generative A.I. could have the biggest impact on white-collar industries, such as banking and tech. A Japanese macaque that escaped from a wildlife park in Scotland was captured. A Morning Read Khaled Desouki/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Egyptian authorities released a video last week that described plans to resurface the Pyramid of Menkaure, the smallest of Giza's three main pyramids, with the granite blocks that once covered part of its exterior. The initial reaction was swift — and harsh. Some archaeologists criticized the idea, and one online commenter likened the plan to trying to "straighten the Tower of Pisa." Lives lived: During World War II, Jack Jennings was a British prisoner of war who worked as a slave laborer on the Burma Railway, which inspired "The Bridge on the River Kwai." He died at 104. SPORTS NEWS Summer transfer plans: What Europe's leading clubs will need in the next window. A $3 billion investment: The PGA Tour strikes a major deal with SSG. The story's not over: Formula 1's rejection of a bid by the Andretti team to join the sport leaves a sour taste. We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times. ARTS AND IDEAS Nina Westervelt for The New York Times A Grammys preview The 66th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday are poised to be a celebration of a dominant year for women in pop music, with female stars like SZA, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo and Billie Eilish facing off in the major categories. Here's what we're watching. A Swift sweep? If Swift's "Midnights" wins, she'll become the first four-time champ in the album of the year category. But while Grammy voters love a success story, they could rebel at any perceived idea that they have to anoint a star — or that sales and fame alone should determine excellence. Will SZA make history? Her album "SOS" is widely seen by critics as a strong contender for album of the year. If she wins, she'll be the first Black woman to take that award in 25 years, since Lauryn Hill for "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill." Possible spoilers: Upsets are as much a part of the night as awkward stage pairings and speeches that are cut off. The top candidates for an upset this year are the indie group boygenius and Jon Batiste, the only male performer on the ballot in the top categories. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS Linda Xiao for The New York Times Cook: Crispy gnocchi with burst tomatoes and mozzarella is like a faster version of baked pasta. Watch: Our TV critic recommends "Expats," a Nicole Kidman-led family drama in which no one's quite sure where home really is. Read: Our critics and editors recommend these nine new books. Recommit: Psychologists say that February is the best month for resolutions. Disconnect: Here's a practical guide to quitting your smartphone. Play the Spelling Bee. And here are today's Mini Crossword and Wordle. You can find all our puzzles here. That's it for today's briefing. Have a great weekend. Daniel Slotnik will be here next week. — Jonathan P.S. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have been at the center of far-right fury and conspiracy theories. Our reporter dived deep into the fray — with some help from his stepdaughter. Amelia Nierenberg contributed to this newsletter. You can reach Jonathan and the team at briefing@nytimes.com. Correction: Wednesday's newsletter misstated the location of a new power-sharing deal. It was in Northern Ireland, not Ireland. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Morning Briefing: Europe Edition from The New York Times. To stop receiving Morning Briefing: Europe Edition, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018