Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said NATO is trying to expand its reach into Eurasia and advance its interests across the continent. He said the alliance has no place there and cited President Vladimir Putin’s Greater Eurasian Partnership as a basis for interaction among regional countries and the creation of a collective security framework.

NATOSergey LavrovEurasiacollective security

Bernd Lange, who took part in Brexit negotiations, said a “Switzerland plus” arrangement could be negotiated within months if the UK chose to deepen ties with the EU. He said he wanted the UK back and argued that the Swiss model could be a starting point, though political participation would require more than that framework.

UKEU relationsBrexitSwitzerland model

A decree covers a flooring manufacturer, a paper packaging firm, a hygiene products maker and two companies producing metal and plastic packaging. All continued operating in Russia after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.

RussiaEuropean companiesasset takeover

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said placing several companies from unfriendly countries under external management continues an existing trend, with their origin among the factors considered in the decision. Earlier, President Vladimir Putin signed a decree placing the Russian assets of Tarkett, Ontex and three foreign packaging companies under external management.

Russiaexternal managementunfriendly countriescompany assets

A morning roundup of important stories from Europe and beyond on October 16, 2026, covering world news, business, entertainment, politics, culture and travel.

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European Union leaders met in Brussels on Thursday for a two-day summit focused on the bloc’s next long-term budget, ongoing support for Ukraine and steps to boost Europe’s economic competitiveness amid rising energy prices and geopolitical uncertainty. Their strong opposition to a new budget proposal cast serious doubt on whether the key spending package can be agreed by year-end.

European Unionlong-term budgetUkraineBrussels summit