Greenland and the need for a united EU response to US blackmail attempts
In a debate with foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, starting at around 13.00, MEPs will be discussing the latest developments regarding President Trump’s claims on Greenland. European governments have rejected US plans to acquire Greenland, warning that it would undermine sovereignty, NATO cohesion, and transatlantic security. They have also stated that decisions on Greenland’s status rest exclusively with Denmark and Greenland.
Snjezana KOBESCAK SMODIS
(+32) 470 96 08 19
Viktor ALMQVIST
(+32) 470 88 29 42
@EP_ForeignAff
Cyprus Council Presidency
Nikos Christodoulides, President of the Republic of Cyprus, will present his country’s priorities for its six-month presidency of the Council from 10.30, followed by a discussion with MEPs and Commissioner Costas Kadis. A press conference with Christodoulides and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola will take place at 12.15.
Kyriakos KLOSIDIS
(+32) 470 96 47 35
@EP_Institutional
Ukraine loan
At noon, plenary will vote on whether to fast-track approval of the Council’s decision for enhanced cooperation of 24 member states (excluding Czechia, Hungary and Slovakia) to provide Ukraine with a €90 billion loan underwritten by EU borrowing and backed by the EU budget. If approved, the vote on the substance will take place on Wednesday. In two additional votes, MEPs will also decide whether to fast-track legislative proposals on the establishment of the Ukraine Support Loan for 2026 and 2027, and on amending the Ukraine Facility, with the votes on substance to take place in February if the outcome of today’s votes are positive.
Snjezana KOBESCAK SMODIS
(+32) 470 96 08 19
Viktor ALMQVIST
(+32) 470 88 29 42
@EP_ForeignAff
EU response to brutal repression in Iran
From around 16.00, MEPs and Kaja Kallas will discuss the situation in Iran, where authorities have been responding with massive force to nationwide protests that have erupted in recent weeks. Parliament will vote on a resolution on the subject on Thursday.
Situation in Venezuela
Following the extraction of Nicolás Maduro from Caracas by US soldiers on 3 January, MEPs and Kaja Kallas will debate the outlook for the country and the need to ensure a peaceful democratic transition, from around 17.00.
Snjezana KOBESCAK SMODIS
(+32) 470 96 08 19
Viktor ALMQVIST
(+32) 470 88 29 42
@EP_ForeignAff
Air passenger rights
From around 14.00, MEPs will discuss the Council’s proposed changes to existing air passenger rights rules with the Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas. MEPs want to uphold travellers’ existing rights. The vote on Parliament’s second reading position, and a press conference with the rapporteurs and shadow rapporteurs, will take place tomorrow.
Gediminas VILKAS
(+32) 470 89 29 21
@EP_Transport
In brief
Tackling AI deepfakes and sexual exploitation on social media. First on today’s agenda, at 9.00, is a debate with Marilena Raouna, Cyprus’s Deputy Minister for European Affairs, and Henna Virkkunen, Commissioner for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, on how to make full use of the EU’s digital rules to prevent AI tools from creating illegal sexual content.
Foreign, security and defence policies in 2025. In a joint debate starting at around 18.00, MEPs and Kaja Kallas will discuss Parliament’s draft 2025 reports reviewing implementation of the EU’s foreign and security policy and security and defence policy. The votes on these reports are scheduled for tomorrow at noon.
Votes
At noon, MEPs will vote, among others, on:
- their position for negotiations with the member states on a draft regulation designed to tackle shortages in critical medicines;
- a legislative initiative report on a new legal framework for innovative companies: the “28th regime”;
- an own-initiative report on humanitarian aid in a time of polycrisis;
- a report on safeguarding and promoting financial stability amid economic uncertainties;
- a report on the reform of the European Electoral Act and hurdles to ratification and implementation in the Member States;
- motions for resolutions on the murder of Mehdi Kessaci and the urgent need for ambitious European action against drug trafficking.
Live coverage of the plenary session can be found on Parliament’s webstreaming site and on EbS+.
For detailed information on the session, please also see our newsletter.
Find more information regarding plenary.