3 d. ago Ukraine war briefing: Fire sale of Lukoil assets before start of US sanctions on Russia

Foreign properties may be nationalised if Lukoil doesn’t sell, or the proceeds frozen if it does; Zelenskyy grapples with corruption scandal fallout. What we know on day 1,359The foreign oil refineries and other assets of Russian company Lukoil are attracting potential buyers as time runs out to strike cheap deals before US sanctions come into force on 21 November. The sanctions, put in place in response to Russia’s war on Ukraine, have already disrupted Lukoil’s operations in Iraq, at pump stations in Finland and a refinery in Bulgaria. Kazakhstan’s state firm KazMunayGas is studying a bid for Lukoil’s assets in the country, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Shell is interested in Lukoil deepwater assets in Ghana and Nigeria, two other sources said. Shell declined to comment to Reuters.The government of Moldova has started talks to nationalise Lukoil’s infrastructure at Chisinau airport, said the airport’s director, Serdgiu Spoiala. Bulgaria is working towards seiz...

Events

8 d. ago Belgian drone sightings could be linked to talks on using frozen Russian assets, says German minister – as it happened

This blog is now closedThe 35-year-old French man suspected of ramming his car into pedestrians and cyclists on Île d’Oléron earlier this week have been charged with attempted murder, French media reported.The local prosecutor’s office has also asked for him to be detained ahead of the trial. Continue reading...

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8 d. ago Belgian drone sightings could be linked to talks on using frozen Russian assets, says German minister – Europe live

Boris Pistorius warns that Russia continues to seek to ‘sow doubt, divide us and influence elections’ in EuropeBack to Belgium, news agency Belga is reporting that ministers have provisionally reached an agreement on the proposed €50m package of measures to strengthen the country’s anti-drone systems.The proposal still requires some finetuning before it can be formally adopted by the government, the agency added. Continue reading...

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2 w. ago Ukraine war briefing: Moscow under drone siege for third night running

EU edges towards using ‘reparations loan’ using Russian frozen assets; Kremlin pressing ahead with year-round conscription. What we know on day 1,344Ukraine sent drones towards Moscow for the third consecutive night, closing airports, Russian authorities said late on Tuesday. Rosaviatsiya, the air transport watchdog, said Moscow’s Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports had flights halted or restricted. Russia usually says all incoming drones were destroyed, regardless of the outcome, and typically gives limited details about the effects of Ukrainian strikes unless civilians or civilian infrastructure are hit. Over the previous two nights, Russia’s defence ministry said there were 35 Ukrainian drones destroyed over the Moscow region. Ukraine says its long-range drone strikes of recent months on Moscow and other Russian regions are aimed at hitting military and industrial assets, damaging Russia’s war economy and bringing the conflict home to Russians.Ukraine also launched se...

Events

2 w. ago Ukraine war briefing: Russian drones hunt civilians in crime against humanity, UN inquiry finds

Ukraine strengthens Pokrovsk positions amid infiltration by estimated 200 Russian troops; Lukoil selling overseas assets after US sanctions. What we know on day 1,343 Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Starmer warns allies must speed up use of frozen Russian assets to fund weapons for Ukraine as Zelensky warns Putin's brutal attacks are creating a 'humanitarian disaster'

Sir Keir said allies should step up the provision of weapons as winter approaches and its energy infrastructure remains under threat from attacks by Moscow.

Events

3 w. ago Starmer urges allies to ‘finish the job’ on Russian assets as coalition of willing meet in London

The Prime Minister condemned Vladimir Putin’s ‘ludicrous demands’ for Ukrainian land as ‘a non-starter’

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3 w. ago Keir Starmer urges allies to 'finish the job' on using frozen Russian assets to strengthen Ukraine's defences

The Prime Minister also labelled Vladimir Putin's 'ludicrous demands' for Ukrainian land as 'a non-starter' as he led a meeting of the so-called 'Coalition of the Willing' in London today.

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3 w. ago Kyiv's allies say frozen Russian assets should be quickly used to aid Ukraine

Kyiv's allies say frozen Russian assets should be quickly used to aid Ukraine  Reuters

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3 w. ago Zelenskyy at Downing Street for talks with Starmer and ‘coalition of willing’ after meeting King Charles – Europe live

Volodymyr Zelenskyy set to press case for using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s defencesA forthcoming trip by German foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, to China has been cancelled amid growing fears that Beijing’s restriction on semiconductor and rare earth exports could paralyse the country’s car industry.“We are postponing the journey to a later time,” the spokesperson told a regular press briefing on Friday. “The Chinese side was ultimately able to confirm only the appointment with the Chinese foreign minister, and could not confirm any other additional appointments,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said. Continue reading...

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3 w. ago Zelenskyy meets King Charles before discussion with Starmer and ‘coalition of the willing’ over military support – Europe live

King Charles hosts Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Windsor Castle before meeting to consider using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s defencesA forthcoming trip by German foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, to China has been cancelled amid growing fears that Beijing’s restriction on semiconductor and rare earth exports could paralyse the country’s car industry.“We are postponing the journey to a later time,” the spokesperson told a regular press briefing on Friday. “The Chinese side was ultimately able to confirm only the appointment with the Chinese foreign minister, and could not confirm any other additional appointments,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago EU leaders stall €140bn Ukraine loan using frozen Russian assets

Belgium resists plan fearing retaliation by Moscow over assets immobilised on its soil

Politics

3 w. ago EU leaders fail to back €140bn loan for Ukraine using frozen Russian assets

Belgium resists plan fearing retaliation by Moscow over assets immobilised on its soil

Politics

3 w. ago Putin says he will never bow to US but concedes sanctions may cause ‘some losses’

China and India likely to scale back Russian oil imports as Trump tries to bring an end to war in UkraineVladimir Putin has said Russia will never bow to US pressure but conceded new sanctions could cause some economic pain, as China and India were reported to be scaling back Russian oil imports after Washington targeted Moscow’s two largest producers.The US on Wednesday imposed sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, as well as nearly three dozen of their subsidiaries, as the Trump administration increased pressure on the Kremlin to negotiate an end to its war against Ukraine. The EU separately discussed a loan for Ukraine secured on frozen Russian assets and agreed to a phased ban on the import of Russian liquefied natural gas. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Putin calls new US sanctions an ‘unfriendly act’ but claims they won’t affect Russian economy – Europe live

Russian president says Moscow will deliver ‘overhwleming’ response to strrikes inside RussiaThe Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, urged European Union leaders on Thursday to agree as soon as possible on a plan to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.Zelenskyy, who is visiting Brussels, said on X that the proposed mechanism for using frozen Russian assets was entirely legal and fair. He said Ukraine would use a significant part of the assets to buy weapons from its European allies. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago King Charles becomes first British monarch to pray publicly with pope in 500 years – Europe live

King and pontiff took part in joint worship in Sistine Chapel during Charles’s visit to Vatican with CamillaThe Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, urged European Union leaders on Thursday to agree as soon as possible on a plan to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.Zelenskyy, who is visiting Brussels, said on X that the proposed mechanism for using frozen Russian assets was entirely legal and fair. He said Ukraine would use a significant part of the assets to buy weapons from its European allies. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago King Charles becomes first British monarch to pray with pope in 500 years – Europe live

King and pontiff took part in joint worship in Sistine Chapel during Charles’s visit to Vatican with CamillaThe Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, urged European Union leaders on Thursday to agree as soon as possible on a plan to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.Zelenskyy, who is visiting Brussels, said on X that the proposed mechanism for using frozen Russian assets was entirely legal and fair. He said Ukraine would use a significant part of the assets to buy weapons from its European allies. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Belgium demands change in plan to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine

The European Union’s executive branch has been developing a plan to use Russia’s frozen assets as collateral to drum up funds

Politics

3 w. ago Europeans rush to Zelenskyy’s defence after tense Trump meeting

EU seeks to secure deal on frozen Russian assets and more sanctions on Moscow to show support for Ukraine

Politics

3 w. ago Zelenskyy calls for more US Patriot air defences after Trump again sides with Putin

Ukrainian president ready to join Putin-Trump summit and asks for additional anti-missile batteries, paid for with frozen Russian assetsTrump suggests carving up Ukraine’s Donbas region to end war after meeting with ZelenskyyVolodymyr Zelenskyy has called for the delivery of an additional 25 US Patriot anti-missile batteries amid the rapidly escalating air war with Russia, as it became clear that Donald Trump had once again tacked sharply towards Moscow.The Ukrainian president added that he would be ready to join Vladimir Putin and Trump at their summit in Hungary if he was invited. Continue reading...

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