EURACTIV.com with AFP and Reuters
Russia ‘most direct threat to world order’, von der Leyen says at EU-Japan summit
Russia is the "most direct threat" to the international order because of its invasion of Ukraine, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Thursday (12 May) in Tokyo.
EU urges independent probe into Al Jazeera reporter’s West Bank killing
The European Union on Wednesday (11 May) condemned the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, and demanded an independent investigation into the circumstances of her death.
G7 countries pledge to stop Russia oil imports
The G7 club of wealthy nations committed Sunday (8 May) to phasing out its dependency on Russian oil and issued a scathing statement accusing President Vladimir Putin of bringing "shame" on Russia with his invasion of Ukraine.
EU’s von der Leyen to present Russia oil ban in Parliament today
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected on Wednesday (4 May) to outline new sanctions against Moscow, including a ban on imports of Russian oil by the end of this year.
Von der Leyen defies Russia’s gas ‘blackmail’, vows EU unity with Poland and Bulgaria
The European Union has warned Russia it will not bend to "blackmail" over its support for Kyiv after the Kremlin cut off gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland. The two countries are now supplied from their EU neighbours.
EU says Russia’s war risks nuclear disaster on Chernobyl anniversary
The European Union warned Tuesday (26 April) that Russia's invasion of Ukraine risks setting off a fresh nuclear disaster in Europe, 36 years after the accident at the Chernobyl plant.
Russia claims Mariupol ‘liberated’ but West hails Ukraine’s resistance
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday (21 April) claimed the "liberation" of the flattened city of Mariupol after nearly two months of fighting, but signalled he would forgo a final bloody offensive against beleaguered Ukrainian defenders there.
‘History will not forget war crimes’ in Ukraine: EU chief
EU chief Charles Michel said Wednesday (20 April) that there must be justice for war crimes committed in Ukraine as he toured the devastated town of Borodianka on a visit to the country.
EU Parliament to recover funds from French election candidate Le Pen
The European Parliament said Sunday (17 April) it will try to recover money owed by Marine Le Pen over fraud allegations as the far-right leader prepares to face President Emmanuel Macron in France's unpredictably close election run-off.
EU ends part of Mali training mission, fearing Russian interference, Borrell says
The EU on Monday (11 April) decided to halt its military training missions in Mali but will keep a presence in the Sahel, the bloc's top diplomat said.
Biden calls India ‘shaky’ in Russia confrontation
US President Joe Biden said Monday (21 March) that India was an exception among Washington's allies with its "shaky" response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
EU extends Russia sanctions to airspace, media, Belarus
The European Union announced more sanctions against Russia on Sunday (27 February), including the closure of EU airspace, banning two news outlets, and more sanctions in the pipeline for Belarus after they assisted with the invasion of Ukraine.
France, allies announce Mali withdrawal, plan relocation
France and its European partners involved in the fight against Islamist militants in Mali have decided to start the coordinated withdrawal of their military resources in the country, a joint statement said on Thursday (17 February).
‘Element of détente’ after French president’s Russia visit
French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Russia brought "an element of détente" to the crisis between the West and Moscow over Ukraine, but did not amount to a "miracle," the EU's diplomatic chief said Tuesday (8 February).
NATO bolsters eastern flank as fears mount over Ukraine crisis
NATO said Monday (24 January) it was sending jets and ships to bolster its eastern European flank, as the US and EU looked to coordinate a tough response to Russia if it invades Ukraine.
EU says not following US diplomat families’ withdrawals from Ukraine
The EU is not following the US in withdrawing its diplomats' families from Ukraine, top European diplomat Josep Borrell said on Monday (24 January), adding that there was no need to "dramatise" the situation while talks with Russia continue.
EU condemns North Korean missile tests
The European Union on Tuesday (11 January) condemned the latest North Korean missile launch, a spokesman for the EU's High Representative for Foreign Relations said in a statement, urging the country to "respond constructively" to US readiness for diplomacy.
Germany, France urge ‘all sides’ to respect eastern Ukraine ceasefire
Germany and France called on both the Ukrainian government forces and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine to respect the restoration of a full ceasefire, their foreign ministries said in a joint statement on Thursday (23 December).
West accuses Moscow of ‘escalation’ at Ukraine border ahead of talks
Several western countries on Wednesday (22 December) accused Russia of "escalating" the tense situation at the border with Ukraine, and promised to present a united front when talks with Moscow begin in January.
US to boost military presence in Eastern Europe if Russia attacks Ukraine
The United States will boost its military presence in Eastern Europe should Moscow invade Ukraine, the White House warned Monday (6 December), laying out the high stakes on the eve of talks on Tuesday between Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin.
Ahead of Biden-Putin talks, Ukraine warns against Yalta-type agreement
Ukraine rejects any efforts to get it to scrap its plans to join NATO as well as any "guarantee" sought by Russia to ease tensions on the border, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Friday (3 December).
‘You are not alone,’ EU Parliament delegation tells Taiwan on first official visit
Taiwan's democracy is "a treasure" to be protected, the head of a visiting European Parliament delegation said on Thursday, promising to stand with the island as tensions between Beijing and Taipei spiral to their highest level in years.
G20 leaders wrangle over climate ahead of COP26 summit
Leaders of the G20 world's major economies approved a global minimum tax on the largest companies on Saturday (30 October), but were still haggling over the pressing issue of climate change.