Europe editor at the Financial Times, former world news editor and Paris correspondent
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Articles by Ben Hall
Zelenskyy defies Trump as Ukraine resumes strikes on Russian refineries
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine will restart strikes on Russia’s oil refineries as he expressed anger over a “dangerous”...
Transcription: Marine Le Pen en entretien avec le Financial Times
Ceci est la transcription de l’entretien du FT avec Marine Le Pen, candidate à l’élection présidentielle française, légèrement abrégée...
Marine Le Pen: ‘All the warning signs are flashing red’
She has tried and failed three times. She has been ridiculed and vilified.
France’s Marine Le Pen vows ‘trial of strength’ with EU
France’s far-right leader Marine Le Pen is gearing up for a fight with the EU if elected president next year, promising a “trial of...
Transcript: An election supercycle could push Europe to the right
This is an audio transcript of the FT News Briefing podcast episode: ‘An election supercycle could push Europe to the right’ Marc...
The elections that could remake Europe
Calling snap parliamentary elections in Spain last week, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Spaniards would soon have to decide whether to...
Nato should prepare for deadly Russian ‘hybrid’ attack, says Poland
Nato members should prepare a robust response for a possible deadly Russian “hybrid” attack, Poland’s foreign minister has said, as...
Europe Express: Lies and statistics
Welcome back.
Does the EU want Britain back?
It was a balmy late September day in New York when Andy Burnham, Britain’s new prime minister, first gave a clue of his plan to reopen...
Germany’s Merz stands his ground but for how long?
Friedrich Merz did not mince his words.
Europe failing to deter Russia’s ‘hybrid’ war, warn defence officials
Europe is failing to deter Russia’s “hybrid” war against the continent, defence and intelligence officials have warned, and must rapidly...
Germany’s Merz on the ropes after far right delivers devastating blow
Whether or not the far-right Alternative for Germany party has a path to power in the small eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, its crushing...
Europe Express: faces of the ‘new right’
Welcome back. Two faces personify the start of a new political season in Europe: Ulrich Siegmund and Giorgia Meloni.
Spain’s migrant amnesty a ‘very bad idea’, says Swedish PM
Sweden’s prime minister has called Spain’s amnesty for irregular immigrants a “very bad idea”, warning that it could push Europe back to...
Europe’s weak reaction to Spain’s migrant crisis
A picture is worth a thousand words. Or facts.
The Magyar revolution: Hungary’s new era
Hungarians tuning in to M1 television’s news bulletin last week were greeted with a black screen — and an apology.
Marine Le Pen’s redemption story
Welcome back.
Transcript: Marine Le Pen’s risky comeback
This is an audio transcript of the FT News Briefing podcast episode ‘Marine Le Pen’s risky comeback’ Marc Filippino Good morning from the...
Marine Le Pen’s massive double gamble on presidency
Marine Le Pen’s decision to stay in the race for France’s presidency while appealing her conviction for embezzlement is a high-risk...
How Europe would fight without America
Behind the expected show of unity at this week’s Nato summit, Europe’s military powers are beginning to think the unthinkable.
Downfall of a King — the extraordinary tale of Juan Carlos’s self-destruction
On April 18 2012, Spain’s King Juan Carlos emerged from his room in a Madrid hospital to make a statement to the nation. “I am very sorry.
Donald Trump’s $2.2bn windfall invites comparisons with global strongmen
President Donald Trump flew to Medora, North Dakota, this week to dedicate the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.
Europe Express: a shot in the arm for Merz
Welcome back.
‘We came out of it better’: how Brexit brought the EU together
For Marine Le Pen, Britain’s vote to leave the EU was a cause for celebration.
How Brexit ghosts will stop the UK from quickly rejoining the EU
In Britain, progressives have been energised by a growing drumbeat to rejoin the EU.
Europe’s fighter jet fiasco
Hello again. Germany this week finally terminated its ailing €100bn project to build a sixth-generation fighter jet with France and Spain.
Defence group CSG still pursuing stake in Franco-German tank maker
Ammunition maker Czechoslovak Group is still pursuing a “transformative” deal to take a stake in Franco-German tank maker KNDS, according...
Czech leader claims pro-Trump advantage in defence spending miss
European leaders whose countries lag behind on defence spending can expect to face the wrath of Donald Trump at a Nato summit this summer...
It is time for a European Security Council
Hello again. Who should you call if you want to speak to Europe?
Ten years on, what’s next for Brexit? You asked, we answered
Ten years after Britain voted to leave the European Union, the political and economic consequences of Brexit are still being debated.
Nine countries pull out of Ukraine ammunition coalition
The number of countries participating in a Czech-led initiative to buy ammunition for Ukraine has halved since Prime Minister Andrej...
Europe needs plan to replace US forces, says Czech president
European allies should be more proactive in replacing US military assets in Nato rather than waiting for President Donald Trump to cut...
Nato allies press US for clarity on troop cuts in Europe
The US should co-ordinate troop reductions in Europe more closely with its Nato allies to avoid weakening the alliance’s deterrence...
Europe Express: the spectre of Jordan Bardella
Welcome back. The countdown started this week on Emmanuel Macron’s last year in office.
Bringing Ukraine into the EU fold
Welcome back.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s push for EU membership strains ties with allies
Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s hard push for Ukraine to swiftly join the EU is raising tensions with European capitals at a time when Washington...
The battles ahead for Hungary’s new prime minister
Welcome back.
Hungary opposition delivers ‘regime change’ after 16 years of Viktor Orbán
On the campaign trail Péter Magyar promised “regime change” in Hungary akin to the clearout of the communist government in 1989.
Hungary: the election the world’s big powers want to win
For a sense of the wild accusations bandied about ahead of Hungary’s pivotal parliamentary election this Sunday, look no further than...
In Hungary’s election it is war versus wallets
Welcome back. Hungary’s parliamentary election on April 12 is the most important election in Europe for a long time.
The Iran war has made clear Europe’s role as bystander
Welcome back. European leaders this week found their voice on the Iran war and for once they spoke in unison.
Ukraine peace talks fizzle out as Trump’s focus shifts to Iran
The US-led peace process in Ukraine is fizzling out because Donald Trump is losing interest in the talks and his war against Iran is...
France’s unfolding nuclear umbrella
Welcome back.
Transcript: The war in Ukraine, four years later
This is an audio transcript of the FT News Briefing podcast episode: ‘The war in Ukraine, four years later’ Marc Filippino Good morning...
How should Europe prepare for a transatlantic divorce? You asked, Ben Hall answered
From defence and security to trade and diplomacy, Europe’s long-standing partnership with the US is under severe strain.
Donald Trump prompts global surge in people viewing US as a threat
Donald Trump’s first year back in the White House has produced a surge in the number of people in the west and emerging markets who see...
Buy European and the French paradox
Welcome back. How much protectionism does Europe need to bolster its competitiveness?
‘Frontline journalism and filmmaking as we know it is dead’ — documenting the war in Ukraine
The terrifying opening scene of 2000 Meters to Andriivka, the 2025 documentary by Oscar-winning filmmaker and war reporter Mstyslav...
Nato without America: Europe ‘thinks the unthinkable’
Since its founding nearly eight decades ago, Nato, the world’s mightiest military alliance, has rested on a confidence trick — an...
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