Welcome to Brussels Edition, Bloomberg’s daily briefing on what matters most in the heart of the European Union.

EU foreign ministers are likely to double the number of blacklisted people in Belarus today by adding more than 70 people and organizations to the bloc’s sanctions measures. Those to be reprimanded for the ongoing political crackdown in the country include judges, lawmakers, regime-linked companies, corporate executives and several linked to a Ryanair flight’s forced landing and arrest. of a journalist in Minsk last month. Ministers are also expected to signal their support for broader sanctions over the incident, targeting entire sectors of the country’s economy. The proposals, which include restrictions on nutrient potash in soil and certain activities in the petroleum sector, as well as a ban on new loans, are expected to be enacted this month and are being coordinated with allies.

– Alberto Nardelli and Nikos Chrysoloras

What is happening

Elusive offer | The world powers and Iran have failed after a sixth round of talks to revive a nuclear deal that would lift US sanctions against the Islamic Republic in exchange for cutting back on its atomic activities. The representative of the EU, Enrique Mora, who twice predicted that the next round of negotiations would be the last, said he hoped the next round would seal the deal.

French losers | President Emmanuel Macron and far-right leader Marine Le Pen performed worse than expected in the first round of regional elections in France, in a disappointing turn for the two main contenders for the country’s presidential race in 2022. Amid a record turnout of 34%, the parties’ good results Leftists and Greens may not translate into national politics when voters go to the polls next April to choose a president. But they could help these movements unite behind a candidate, which they have so far failed to do.

German countryside | Angela Merkel’s conservative bloc is presenting its electoral platform today, with polls showing Chancellor’s successor, Armin Laschet, could get a new mandate for the center-right. Support for Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union and her Bavaria-based ally CSU rose by one point to 28%, while the Greens stagnated in second place at 20%, a new poll showed.

Swedish falters | An unlikely alliance between the Swedish left-wing party and the conservative and nationalist opposition could topple the country’s prime minister Stefan Lofven in a vote of no confidence today. Lofven, who has a history of survival seemingly intractable conflicts, would have a week to resign or announce a snap election if he were toppled today.

In case you missed it

Narrower gap | The UK remains Europe’s most attractive destination for financial services investment, but its lead has narrowed, according to a survey carried out by EY consultants. The UK attracted 56 financial services projects last year, still the highest in Europe, but down 43 from 2019; France overtakes Germany for second place with 49 projects, 11 more than in 2019.

Travel borders | In what is set to be a blow to tourism-dependent economies in southern Europe, the UK government has indicated that it maintain restrictions on overseas travel for now to control an increase in coronavirus infections and the risk of new variants of the virus taking hold. This is even if the link between the number of infections and deaths seems to be decreasing in countries where vaccination campaigns are advanced.

Putin’s failure | Russia has secured orders for hundreds of millions of doses of Sputnik V after Vladimir Putin bragged about developing the world’s first vaccine against Covid-19. But a slow start to production means only a fraction has been delivered, leaving Russia far behind China as a global supplier. At home, a disappointing vaccination rollout has led to a surge in infections and Putin’s success story is falling apart.

Land reform | It was known as the breadbasket of the Soviet Union, and now Ukraine could finally begin to exploit its agricultural potential at a time when the world seemed to need it most. The introduction of long-awaited land reforms next month comes as global food prices hit their highest level in nearly a decade. here’s how Ukraine plans to feed the world.

Card of the day

EU decision on Friday Lifting travel restrictions for US residents will help restore traffic to the most profitable route for the airline industry. Flights between North America and Europe are the world’s largest market for long-haul business and first-class travel.

Today’s agenda

Every hour CET.

• 9h00 EU foreign ministers meet in Luxembourg to decide on sanctions against Belarus
• 1:00 p.m. German Chancellor Merkel’s CDU / CSU bloc presents its electoral program
• 2:00 p.m. Stoltenberg from NATO, Lagarde from the ECB, Macron from France, Draghi from Italy, von der Leyen from the EU speak at Summit of Women Political Leaders
• 4:15 p.m. Lagarde addresses the European Parliament
• 6:15 p.m. European Parliament hearing with Eurogroup President Donohoe
• 6:35 p.m. Statements by Merkel and Italian Draghi after Berlin talks
• Swedish opposition to hold vote of no confidence against PM Lofven
• European Commission President von der Leyen visits Austria and Slovakia for next stages of pan-European NextGenerationEU tour

Do you like the Brussels edition?

Don’t keep it to yourself. Colleagues and friends can register here.

For even more: Subscribe to Bloomberg.com for Unlimited access to reliable, data-driven journalism and benefit from expert analysis from exclusive subscriber-only newsletters.

How are we? We want to know what you think of this newsletter. Inform our Brussels office manager.

– With the help of John Follain and John Ainger