EURACTIV with Reuters
UK presses on with changes to Brexit deal despite EU opposition
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government will press ahead on Monday (27 June) with legislation to scrap rules on post-Brexit trade with Northern Ireland, setting up further clashes with the European Union. The legislation, which would unilaterally replace parts of...
Berlin props up Gazprom subsidiary with €10 billion loan
German Finance Minister Christian Lindner said he could not speculate on how high the loan from the KfW state investment bank to keep Gazprom Germania from insolvency would end up being, but sources place the figure in the region of €10 billion.
Polish Parliament approves judicial reforms to unblock EU funds
Poland’s Parliament on Thursday (26 May) voted in favour of a bill that will replace a contested disciplinary chamber for judges with a new body, clearing the way for the country to get billions in COVID-19 recovery funds from Brussels....
Advancing Russian forces reach key highway out of Donbas cities
Advancing Russian forces came closer to surrounding Ukrainian troops in the east, briefly seizing positions on the last highway out of a crucial pair of Ukrainian-held cities before being beaten back, a Ukrainian official said on Thursday (26 May).
Hungary’s Orban turns again to windfall taxes on banks, companies to plug budget
Hungary's government will impose windfall taxes on banks and large private companies' "extra profits" in a bid to rein in a swelling budget deficit, turning again to a policy that has helped Viktor Orban avoid raising taxes for families.
Quad leaders vow free and open Indo-Pacific, action on climate
The leaders of the "Quad" group vowed on 24 May to work together for a free and open Indo-Pacific region and to fight climate change, as they met for talks aimed at standing up to an increasingly assertive China.
Sinn Fein’s McDonald says ‘bad faith’ UK government boosts united Ireland case
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald on Wednesday (18 May) said Britain’s proposals to override some post-Brexit trade rules in Northern Ireland were “astonishing” and yet another move by London that only serves to boost the Irish nationalist party’s quest...
EU leaves military training in Mali suspended, stops short of ending mission
The EU will leave its military training mission in Mali suspended, but will not terminate it for the time being, the bloc’s top diplomat Josep Borrell said on Tuesday (May 17). “We decided to reaffirm our decision of suspending operational...
G7 finance ministers plan €15 billion aid for Ukraine
The finance ministers of the Group of Seven economic powers want to put together a €15 billion aid package for Ukraine at their meeting in Bonn this week, a senior German government official said on Tuesday (17 May).
Tesla puts India entry plan on hold after deadlock on tariffs
Telsa has put on hold plans to sell electric cars in India, abandoned a search for showroom space, and reassigned some of its domestic team after failing to secure lower import taxes, three people familiar with the matter have said.
Serbia accuses Ukraine and unnamed EU country of Air Serbia bomb hoaxes
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic accused Ukraine and an unidentified EU country of being behind a series of hoax bomb threats against Air Serbia planes.
France’s presidential rivals gird for high-stakes debate
Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen traded barbs Monday (18 April) as they returned to campaigning for the French presidency ahead of a prime-time debate that is likely to prove decisive ahead of Sunday's second-round run-off.
Oil slips on fears over slowing China demand
Oil edged lower on Monday (18 April) as worries over slowing demand in China balanced support from concern over tight global supply and the deepening Ukraine crisis.
No evacuation corridors in Ukraine for second day as attacks continue
Ukraine and Russia have failed to agree on humanitarian convoys for the evacuation of civilians from war-affected areas for the second day, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said on Monday (18 April).
Oil prices rise on supply concerns as Ukraine crisis deepens
Oil prices rose on Monday (18 April) as concerns grew about tighter global supply, with the deepening crisis in Ukraine raising the prospect of heavier sanctions by the West on top exporter Russia. Brent futures were up $1.50, or 1.3%,...
Ukraine completes questionnaire for EU membership – official
Ukraine has completed a questionnaire that will form a starting point for the European Union to decide on membership for Kyiv, Ihor Zhovkva, deputy head of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's office, said.
Brazil’s foreign ministry irked by electoral court’s EU observer invite
Brazil's foreign ministry on Wednesday (13 April) criticised an invitation extended by the country's top electoral authority to invite the European Union to send observers for the elections in October.
Biden says Russia committing genocide in Ukraine
US President Joe Biden said for the first time on Tuesday (12 April) that Moscow's invasion of Ukraine amounts to genocide, as President Vladimir Putin said Russia would "rhythmically and calmly" continue its operation and achieve its goals.
Putin says peace talks with Ukraine are at dead end, goads the West
President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday (12 April) peace talks with Ukraine had hit a dead end, using his first public comments on the conflict in more than a week to vow his troops would win and to goad the...
Russia laments ‘tragedy’ of troop deaths as Ukraine braces for major offensive
Russia gave the most damning assessment so far of its invasion, describing the “tragedy” of mounting troop losses and the economic hit from sanctions as Ukrainians were evacuated from eastern cities before an anticipated major offensive. Moscow’s six-week long incursion...
Tensions mount between Ukraine and Hungary over Budapest’s Russia stance
Ukraine accused Hungary of undermining the unity of the European Union on Thursday (7 Apil) and Budapest told Kyiv to stop meddling in its affairs, deepening a row between the neighbours over the Hungarian response to Russia’s invasion. Hungarian Prime...
Breaking ranks with EU, Hungary ready to pay for Russian gas in roubles
Hungary said on Wednesday (6 April) it was prepared to pay roubles for Russian gas, breaking ranks with the European Union which has sought a united front in opposing Moscow’s demand for payment in the currency. Hungary will pay for...
Russia finds Meta guilty of ‘extremist activity’, says WhatsApp can stay
A Moscow court on Monday found Meta Platforms Inc guilty of "extremist activity", but said its decision would not affect the WhatsApp messenger service, focusing its ire on the company's already banned Facebook and Instagram social networks.