About: Charles Michel

Armenia, Azerbaijan leaders discuss ‘peace treaty’ over Nagorno-Karabakh
The leaders of arch-foes Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed in a Brussels meeting Sunday (22 May) to "advance discussions" on a peace treaty over a troubled region that saw a war break out in 2020, the European Council's president said.
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.
On surprise Odesa trip, Charles Michel takes cover during missile strike
European Council President Charles Michel, who made a surprise visit to Odesa on Monday (9 May), was forced to break off a meeting and take cover when missiles again struck the southern Ukrainian city, an EU official said.
MEPs ask that frozen Russian billions be used to rebuild and arm Ukraine
Seventy-three MEPs have called for $300 billion in seized Russian funds and assets to fund the Ukrainian military and the country's reconstruction in a letter sent to EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell.
Charles Michel: Sell seized Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine
The EU should confiscate and sell Russian assets it has seized and use the proceeds to rebuild war-scarred Ukraine, EU chief Charles Michel said in an interview published Thursday (5 May).
Russian ceasefire to begin at besieged Mariupol steel plant
A Russian-announced ceasefire was due to begin Thursday (5 May) at the besieged steel plant in the devastated Ukrainian city of Mariupol, to allow civilians to flee even as its defenders vowed to fight to the end.
Charles Michel visits Moldova, promises military support
The European Union is considering additional military support to Moldova, to cope with the spillover from Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, European Council President Charles Michel said on a visit to Chisinau on Wednesday (4 May).
EU chief assumes Putin is disinformed about the war
European Council President Charles Michel made an effort to open Russian President Vladimir Putin's eyes to his country's losses in Ukraine and to the effect of sanctions in a phone call on Friday (22 April).
‘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.
Armenia, Azerbaijan agree Karabakh peace talks, will discuss border
Armenia and Azerbaijan on Wednesday (6 April) agreed to peace talks to address tensions over the long-disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, which borders both nations, the office of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said.
EU summit marked by Zelenskyy shaming Hungary’s Orban
EU leaders gathered in Brussels on Thursday (24 March) making no major decisions, the summit being marked by the presence of US President Joe Biden and by a sharp video message by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. EU leaders repeated their...
Biden arrives in Europe for triple summits on Ukraine
US President Joe Biden arrived in Brussels as NATO, G7 and EU summits on Thursday (24 March) are set to discuss how to respond to Russia's continuing war in Ukraine.
EU leaders tone down Ukraine’s membership plan
After hours of debate, EU leaders on Thursday (10 March) stopped short of concrete commitments on Ukraine's appeal for rapid accession to the bloc and differed over the reach of sanctions against Moscow.
Ukraine requests EU membership under fast-track procedure
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Monday (28 February) submitted an official request to allow his country to gain ‘immediate’ membership under a special fast-track procedure as it defends itself from a Russian invasion. “We ask the European Union for Ukraine’s...
With Kyiv under siege, EU leaders pledge to hold the Kremlin accountable
As Russian tanks roll toward Kyiv and with diplomatic options to impact on Moscow waning, the EU leaders made the effort on Thursday night (25 February) to put a brave face and express a message of unity.
Next steps: EU likely to target Russia’s financial sector, ban technology exports
**Adds more details on second sanctions package The EU is expected to give political approval to the second package of sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine later on Thursday (24 February), which could include a range of far-reaching measures. However,...
EU leaders gather to respond to Russia’s new war in Ukraine
***The story has been updated after the Russian strikes on Ukraine on early Thursday morning and will be continuously updated during the day. The EU is set to hold an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday (24 February) evening, which...
EU-AU summit makes big health promises, but not on IP waivers
EU and African leaders laid out a number of promises to secure equitable access to vaccines at the end of a two-day summit in Brussels on Friday (18 February). No decision on lifting intellectual property rights was reached, however.
Azerbaijan releases eight Armenian prisoners in mediation effort with France and EU
Azerbaijan has released eight Armenian prisoners in an effort to facilitate new talks with France and the European Union on the border conflict between to two central Asian countries, said European Council President Charles Michel on Monday (7 February).
2022: COVID and vaccine access cast a shadow over EU-Africa partnership plan
Nearly two years after the European Commission set out plans for a ‘strategic partnership’ with Africa, and repeated delays, the long-awaited EU–African Union summit is almost upon us.
Azerbaijan hands over 10 prisoners to Armenia in EU-mediated deal
Azerbaijan handed over 10 captured Armenian soldiers to Armenia on Sunday (19 December) for the second time this month following talks last week between both sides and European Council President Charles Michel, the two countries said.
Ukraine diplomacy looms large as EU leaders meet Eastern Partnership counterparts
As tensions between Ukraine and Russia are at their highest in years, EU leaders and their Eastern Partnership counterparts met on Wednesday (15 December) for a summit aimed to reaffirm the strategic importance of the region. The EU summit with...
CoFoE panels call for environmental education and migrant rights
Environmental education in EU schools and the migration crisis were high on the agenda of proposals suggested by citizens in the last two panels of the Conference on the Future of Europe.