4 h. ago ‘Money today or blood tomorrow’: EU leaders race to secure deal for Ukraine

Summit divided on idea of loan secured against Russian assets, as Belgium seeks guarantees if scheme goes wrongBelgian politicians and finance bosses targeted by Russian intelligence over seized assetsEU leaders are racing to secure a funding deal for Ukraine that has been cast as a choice between “money today or blood tomorrow”, but Belgium continues to oppose a loan secured against Russia’s frozen assets.At a summit billed as make or break, EU leaders are discussing an unprecedented move to tap some of Russia’s €210bn sovereign assets frozen in the bloc days after the full-scale invasion of 2022. Continue reading...

Economics

6 h. ago Ukraine may need to cut drone production if no deal reached on frozen Russian assets, says Zelenskyy – Europe live

Ukrainian president says case for transfer of assets to fund war effort is ‘morally clear and just’ Germany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz confirms his support for the EU’s reparations loan, saying he sees “no better option.”He diplomatically acknowledges Belgium’s concerns, and says he hopes “we can address them together” to “send a signal of strength and resolve towards Russia.” Continue reading...

Economics

7 h. ago Polish independence could be under threat if Ukraine forced to capitulate, Donald Tusk warns – Europe live

Warning comes as EU leaders discuss sending frozen Russian assets to UkraineGermany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz confirms his support for the EU’s reparations loan, saying he sees “no better option.”He diplomatically acknowledges Belgium’s concerns, and says he hopes “we can address them together” to “send a signal of strength and resolve towards Russia.” Continue reading...

Events

8 h. ago Polish independence ‘under threat’ if EU cannot come to decision on giving Russian assets to Ukraine, says Poland’s Tusk – Europe live

Warning comes as EU leaders attempt to reduce the risks from Russian retaliation against Belgium, which holds most of the €210bn of frozen Russian assetsGermany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz confirms his support for the EU’s reparations loan, saying he sees “no better option.”He diplomatically acknowledges Belgium’s concerns, and says he hopes “we can address them together” to “send a signal of strength and resolve towards Russia.” Continue reading...

Events

9 h. ago Russia warns it will ‘recover damages’ as EU leaders begin debate on giving frozen assets to Ukraine – Europe live

Zelenskyy warns of ‘big problems for Ukraine’ if no deal reached to unlock €210bn in frozen Russian assetsGermany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz confirms his support for the EU’s reparations loan, saying he sees “no better option.”He diplomatically acknowledges Belgium’s concerns, and says he hopes “we can address them together” to “send a signal of strength and resolve towards Russia.” Continue reading...

Events

12 h. ago EU told to choose between ‘money today or blood tomorrow’ as leaders debate giving Russian assets to Ukraine – Europe live

European leaders meet in Brussels as Poland’s Donald Tusk issues warning to fellow EU statesGermany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz confirms his support for the EU’s reparations loan, saying he sees “no better option.”He diplomatically acknowledges Belgium’s concerns, and says he hopes “we can address them together” to “send a signal of strength and resolve towards Russia.” Continue reading...

Politics

33 h. ago Putin calls European leaders ‘little pigs’ and says Russia will achieve Ukraine goals by diplomacy or force

Russian leader says aims of its ‘special military operation’ will be met ‘unconditionally’The last available Erasmus+ country report for the UK based on 2020 data shows that University of Glasgow, University of Bristol, and University of Edinburgh were the three top UK universities sending students abroad, with most people coming into the UK from Spain, France and Germany.Just over 16,000 European students came into the UK as part of from the scheme in 2019/2020, with almost 6,000 trainees on top of that figure. 9,800 UK students and 6,500 trainees went in the other direction, data show. Continue reading...

Politics

33 h. ago EU politicians and universities welcome UK’s decision to rejoin Erasmus as ‘big step forward’

Negotiations among EU leaders continue ahead of critical European Council meeting in Brussels on ThursdayThe last available Erasmus+ country report for the UK based on 2020 data shows that University of Glasgow, University of Bristol, and University of Edinburgh were the three top UK universities sending students abroad, with most people coming into the UK from Spain, France and Germany.Just over 16,000 European students came into the UK as part of from the scheme in 2019/2020, with almost 6,000 trainees on top of that figure. 9,800 UK students and 6,500 trainees went in the other direction, data show. Continue reading...

Politics

34 h. ago EU welcomes UK’s decision to rejoin Erasmus as ‘big step forward’

Negotiations among EU leaders continue ahead of critical European Council meeting in Brussels on ThursdayThe last available Erasmus+ country report for the UK based on 2020 data shows that University of Glasgow, University of Bristol, and University of Edinburgh were the three top UK universities sending students abroad, with most people coming into the UK from Spain, France and Germany.Just over 16,000 European students came into the UK as part of from the scheme in 2019/2020, with almost 6,000 trainees on top of that figure. 9,800 UK students and 6,500 trainees went in the other direction, data show. Continue reading...

Events

36 h. ago EU chiefs welcome UK’s decision to rejoin Erasmus as ‘big step forward’

Negotiations among EU leaders continue ahead of critical European Council meeting in Brussels on ThursdayEducation editorYoung people across the UK will be able to study or gain work experience through the EU’s Erasmus scheme for the first time since Brexit, after the government announced an agreement to rejoin at a cost of £570m. Continue reading...

Events

37 h. ago EU talks on using Russian assets to fund reparations loan for Ukraine enter final stages ahead of crunch meeting – Europe live

Negotiations among EU leaders continue ahead of critical European Council meeting in Brussels on ThursdayIf you want to test various scenarios ahead of tomorrow’s debate on Russian frozen assets, you can use this handy calculator to see what is needed to get the proposal passed under the so-called qualified majority vote, or QMV (expect to hear a lot about it in the next 48 hours).As we know, the opposition is led by Belgium and its outspoken prime minister Bart de Wever, with Bulgaria, Czech Republic, and Malta also against. Italy has some doubts too (at least for now?), and Hungary, traditionally, is against anything that would help Ukraine. Continue reading...

Politics

59 h. ago Zelenskyy warns against rewarding Russian aggression after ‘intense and focused’ peace talks – Europe live

Ukrainian president speaks in Dutch parliament ahead of crucial EU meeting on use of frozen Russian assetsCommenting on Berlin talks, Zelenskyy says he held “really intensive” talks with US counterparts in Germany, “working in a great detail on documents that could stop the war and guarantee security.”But he says “every single detail matters,” adding that nothing in the proposed peace deal should be allowed to “become a reward for Russia’s aggression.”I truly hope that the next time I address your parliament it will be with gratitude for a peace that has been achieved. Continue reading...

Events

60 h. ago Europe awaits Russia response to Ukraine peace proposal as US positive after talks – Europe live

Moscow expecting debrief from US negotiators as minister rules out any territorial concessions by RussiaAfter positive comments from European, Ukrainian and US leaders taking part in Berlin talks, the focus now shifts to Russia as we wait for Moscow’s first reaction to some of the proposals for ending the war in Ukraine discussed last night.Deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov said this morning that Moscow had no understanding of the discussions just yet, as it awaits a debrief from the US negotiators. He also ruled out any territorial concessions by Russia. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago European leaders propose ‘multinational force’ and hail ‘significant progress’ on Ukraine talks – Europe live

Statement suggests force to ‘provide robust support’ and enforce a potential peace deal in UkraineSeparately, the commission’s deputy chief spokesperson Olof Gill has just confirmed that commission president Ursula von der Leyen will attend the Berlin talks this evening.Not a surprise at all, but good to have it formally confirmed. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago European leaders gather for crunch meeting on Ukraine as Zelenskyy says US talks were ‘not easy’ – Europe live

No details on any tangible compromises between US and Ukraine, with Zelenskyy ruling out territorial concessionsSeparately, the commission’s deputy chief spokesperson Olof Gill has just confirmed that commission president Ursula von der Leyen will attend the Berlin talks this evening.Not a surprise at all, but good to have it formally confirmed. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Belgian PM meets Starmer in London as debate continues on using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine – Europe live

Bart De Wever will also discuss migration, security and economy ahead of coalition of the willing meeting and EU summit next weekRussia’s central bank said it was suing the Belgium-based Euroclear financial group, which holds Moscow’s frozen international reserves, as the EU moves closer to using the funds to support Ukraine, AFP reported.The bank said it was filing “a lawsuit against Euroclear in the Moscow Arbitration Court” due to what it called “the illegal actions” of the institution. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Belgian PM meets Starmer in London as debate continues on using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine – as it happened

Belgian PM meets Starmer in London as debate continues on using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine – as it happened  The Guardian

Politics

7 d. ago US pushing Ukraine to withdraw from Donbas and create ‘free economic zone’, says Zelenskyy – Europe live

Ukrainian leader says Washington has suggested that Russian troops would stay in region, but not advance furtherNato’s Rutte largely sticks to usual pleasantries, but says the clear political signal from Germany and other European partners is that “Europe is ready to take on more responsibility,” and “a signal that burden sharing is not just a slogan.”In his opening remarks, Merz says that Nato plays “a key role in a time of great geopolitical upheaval,” as he recalls his numerous meetings with Rutte in recent months. Continue reading...

Economics

7 d. ago ‘We are Russia’s next target’, warns Nato chief on Berlin visit – Europe live

Mark Rutte says ‘we are already in harm’s way’Nato’s Rutte largely sticks to usual pleasantries, but says the clear political signal from Germany and other European partners is that “Europe is ready to take on more responsibility,” and “a signal that burden sharing is not just a slogan.”In his opening remarks, Merz says that Nato plays “a key role in a time of great geopolitical upheaval,” as he recalls his numerous meetings with Rutte in recent months. Continue reading...

Events

7 d. ago Merz says European leaders had ‘constructive’ call with Trump as he plays down tensions with US – Europe live

German chancellor says conversation focused on ‘what territorial concessions Ukraine is prepared to make’Nato’s Rutte largely sticks to usual pleasantries, but says the clear political signal from Germany and other European partners is that “Europe is ready to take on more responsibility,” and “a signal that burden sharing is not just a slogan.”In his opening remarks, Merz says that Nato plays “a key role in a time of great geopolitical upheaval,” as he recalls his numerous meetings with Rutte in recent months. Continue reading...

Politics