After fears that the European, and wider Western, unity over support for Ukraine might break down this winter, there have been fresh signs of resolve within the alliance this week, as the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion fast approaches.

As French President Emmanuel Macron prepares for his big trip to China in the New Year, a huge debate is brewing in Europe about the bloc’s policy on Beijing, which might well have reached a historic tipping point.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, one of the genuine geopolitical surprises to many has been the stronger than expected unity the West has shown against Moscow. Seven economics sanctions packages have been announced by the EU alone.

Boris Johnson declared last month during his speech announcing his resignation as Conservative Party leader, and therefore UK prime minister, that he “got Brexit done.” Yet he leaves his successor with a significant number of EU-related challenges still to be faced in the fall and beyond.

As the ballots go out to members of the Conservative Party in the UK to select their next leader, and the nation’s prime minister, storm clouds are gathering for the winner.

With the European landscape already in flux, Italy is preparing for an unexpected general election in September that could see the nation’s first far-right government since the war.

Western countries and corporations’ unexpectedly strong rebuke of Russia following its invasion of Ukraine has surprised many, but now, two months into the conflict, the UN is facing growing criticism of its multilateral efforts to secure peace.