EURACTIV.com with Reuters
Large scale Russian offensive possible in January, Ukraine says
Russia has massed more than 94,000 troops near Ukraine’s borders and may be gearing up for a large-scale military offensive at the end of January, Ukraine’s Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov told parliament on Friday (3 December), citing intelligence reports. Reznikov...
‘Lot of concern’ over Russian military activity near Ukraine, top US general says
The United States is tracking enough indicators and warnings surrounding Russian military activity near Ukraine to trigger "a lot of concern" and Russian rhetoric appears increasingly strident, the top US military officer said late on Thursday (2 December).
US, EU concerned by China’s ‘problematic and unilateral actions’ at sea
The United States and European Union on Thursday (2 December) voiced strong concern at China's "problematic and unilateral actions" in the South China Sea and stressed the need for close contact to manage "competition and systemic rivalry" with Beijing.
US, allies ratchet up the economic pressure against Belarus
The United States and its allies, including the European Union, on Thursday (2 December) imposed sanctions against dozens of individuals and entities in Belarus in a coordinated move to escalate punitive action against President Alexander Lukashenko and his government.
Omicron variant ‘may become dominant in Europe in months’
The European Union's public health agency said the Omicron variant could be responsible for more than half of all COVID-19 infections in Europe within a few months.
Pécresse emerges as favourite to win French centre-right’s presidential ticket
Valérie Pécresse, a veteran politician who served as minister under former President Nicolas Sarkozy, will go into a runoff as favourite to be picked as the centre-right Les Républicains’ candidate in the French presidential election in April. Pécresse will face...
EU countries clash over reforms needed to tackle energy price spike
Energy ministers from European Union countries are meeting in Brussels on Thursday (2 December) to debate their response to high gas and electricity prices, with countries still divided over whether the recent price spike calls for an overhaul of the bloc’s energy market rules.
European insurers fear sanctions coming down Nord Stream 2 pipe
A simmering threat of sanctions against the operator of the $11 billion Nord Stream 2 pipeline risks shutting off cover from European insurers for the politically-sensitive project to bring Russian gas directly to Germany.
MEPs attack Commission for proposal to ease migration rules over Belarus crisis
The European Union executive proposed on Wednesday (1 December) temporarily looser asylum rules, allowing Poland and its two Baltic neighbours, Lithuania and Latvia, to handle migrants pushed by Belarus to their shared border, but the proposal angered EU lawmakers and rights groups.
EU calls on China to show proof of tennis star’s wellbeing
The European Union called on Beijing on Tuesday (30 November) to show proof of the wellbeing of tennis star Peng Shuai, adding its voice to international concern about her fate since she alleged sexual assault by a former top Chinese official.
ESG Book aims to ‘disrupt’ sustainability sector with free data
HSBC, Deutsche Bank and Swiss Re have thrown their support behind ESG Book, a new environment, social and governance (ESG) data platform launched on Wednesday (1 December) to 'disrupt' the market with a free "public good" service for companies and investors.
Officials offer reassurance over Omicron variant; WHO advises against travel bans
The World Health Organization warned countries on Tuesday (30 November) not to impose blanket travel bans over the new Omicron coronavirus variant as governments and scientists try to determine how much protection current vaccines would offer against the strain.
Polish president signs law to keep away journalists, NGOs from Belarus border
Poland's president on Tuesday (30 November) signed into law legislation that will limit the access of aid charities and journalists to its border with Belarus as the country grapples with a simmering migrant crisis.
Belgium, UK agree to strengthen immigration cooperation amid Channel crisis
Belgium and Britain said on Tuesday (30 November) they will cooperate more closely to fight illegal migration, days after France snubbed Britain and said it needed to get serious before talks on the matter could resume.
UK watchdog orders Facebook owner Meta to sell Giphy
Facebook owner Meta has been told by the UK competition watchdog to sell popular animated images platform Giphy in Britain’s first such move against so-called Big Tech in its efforts to bolster regulation of the sector. The Competition and Markets...
France sees chance of compromise with Germany on EU fiscal rules
France will be able to reach a compromise with the new German government to update the European Union's fiscal rules to face economic challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Monday (29 November).
German inflation hits highest in decades, increasing pressure on ECB
German consumer price inflation rose further in November to hit another record high, preliminary data showed on Monday (29 November), increasing pressure on the European Central Bank to react.
‘Let’s reach for the stars’: EU aims for green hydrogen below €2/kg by 2030
The cost of producing green hydrogen with renewable energy is set to fall and the capacity to produce it in Europe and nearby countries will likely surpass current targets by 2030, European Union officials said on Monday (29 November).
Latvia calls for permanent US troops to guard against Russia threat
Latvia needs a permanent US military presence to deter Russia and wants to boost its defences with US Patriot missiles, Defence Minister Artis Pabriks said on Monday (30 November) as NATO's chief visited allied troops in the Baltic country.
Postponement of WTO ministerial a ‘significant blow’ to COVID vaccine, fishing deals
The postponement of the World Trade Organization's ministerial conference this week all but guarantees months of deadlock on fishing subsidies and a bid to spread COVID-19 vaccines more widely.
Europe’s emissions rose nearly a fifth as economy bounced back
Greenhouse gas emissions from EU countries jumped by 18% last spring, according to data from Eurostat, Europe's statistics office, as economic sectors recovered from pandemic shutdowns and released climate-damaging gases into the atmosphere.
WHO reaches draft consensus on future pandemic treaty
Member states of the World Health Organisation have reached a tentative consensus to negotiate a future agreement on preventing pandemics, bridging the gap between sides led by the European Union and United States, diplomats said on Sunday (28 November).
Taiwan, Europe must defend democracy together, president tells visiting Baltic MPs
Taiwan and Europe must work together to defend against authoritarianism and disinformation, President Tsai Ing-wen told visiting lawmakers from the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia on Monday (29 November).