Do you know who these people are?

Picture: Donald Tusk, left, with Herman Van Rompuy – but you knew that, right?

Does it really matter who’s in and who’s out in Europe’s sprawling, labyrinthine bureaucracy?

They may be hard to recognise, but these are the head honchos of the European Union, and one is about to replace the other.

The man on the left, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, has been pretty critical of Russia in the Ukraine crisis, so in his new role may push for tougher sanctions against Moscow now that the war of words is really heating up.

He joins forces with Italy’s Federica Mogherini, who replaces Britain’s Catherine Ashton to claim what may be one of the longest titles in a place that – it’s fair to say – does love a bit of officialese: High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (and vice-President of the European Commission).

Picture: Britain’s Catherine Ashton, left, and Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini – again, we probably didn’t need to mention that

Mr Tusk is seen as a potential ally in David Cameron’s project to radically reform the EU, meaning he is likely to prove crucial in the run-up to a possible British referendum on EU membership in 2017.

Mr Tusk replaces Herman Van Rompuy as president of the European Council – not to be confused with its sister body, the European Commission.

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What does it do?
European Council - sets the EU's general political direction and priorities, but does not make laws 
European Commission - drafts new European laws, spends EU money and implements EU policies

Finding a new head for the Commission was what caused Mr Cameron much public hand-wringing back in June, when it emerged the job would go to Jean-Claude Juncker, a man seen as a potential block to EU reform.

Appointing Mr Juncker was like “flicking two fingers” at voters, according to Iain Duncan-Smith – which surely means Mr Tusk gets the thumbs up.