Europe Today EU top police woman takes on the war on drugs and Black Friday bonanza thrills consumers
Nov 28, 2025
Catherine de Bolle, the Executive Director of Europol and former Belgian Federal Police chief, dives into the rising threats of organized crime and trafficking in Europe. She discusses critical efforts in investigating war crimes linked to the Ukraine conflict and shares insights on combating the alarming increase in cocaine imports. Katherina Mathernova, the EU Ambassador to Ukraine, provides a stark update on daily life amid the war, including the impact of energy crises and blackouts. Plus, they touch on the consumer frenzy of Black Friday and its environmental fallout.
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Orban's Visit Shows EU Disunity
- Viktor Orban's Moscow visit exposes a deep EU split over Russia and Ukraine policy.
- Energy needs and upcoming domestic elections drive his divergence from EU consensus.
Use Frozen Assets To Back Ukraine
- Move on seizing and using Russian frozen assets to fund Ukraine and signal sustained European support.
- Continue sanctions, deliveries and coalition coordination to prevent an unjust peace deal.
Blackouts Deepen Civilian Hardship
- Ukrainian civilians face prolonged blackouts that cut heating and water distribution, worsening winter hardship.
- This reality sharpens urgency for faster and stronger international support, according to the EU ambassador.