European Union in January 2026: the most important developments in security
In January 2026 the European Union's security agenda was led by its decision on Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Pressure to list the force as a terrorist organisation built through the month, following a formal request from the European Parliament. By 28 January France publicly supported the measure after previously opposing it. On 29 January the EU formally designated the Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation, which could bring asset freezes and travel bans for its members. Iran condemned the decision as a major strategic mistake and warned of hazardous consequences, and Germany said the EU must be prepared for rapid Iranian action. Earlier, on 17 January, the EU Aviation Safety Agency warned airlines to avoid Iranian airspace.
A second theme was Europe's own defence. The EU's defence commissioner renewed calls for a joint military force, describing it as a "European Security Council", and Spain's foreign minister said on 22 January that the EU should move towards a European army. In connection with Greenland, the EU discussed its mutual defence clause, and European troops were reported to be sent to the island. On 20 and 23 January Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a package and a plan to increase the military presence in the Arctic. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that Europe is nearing a "third bell" on security and urged action to strengthen defence capabilities.
On Russia and Ukraine, an EU delegation said the bloc will keep supplying arms to Ukraine regardless of any future talks between Russia and the United States, and the EU said Russian strikes were pushing Ukraine towards catastrophe. The EU also considered an entry ban for Russian soldiers who fought in Ukraine. Germany's foreign intelligence service accused China of staging simulated attacks on European satellites, describing the activity as a "dogfight" against EU assets.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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