2 w. ago European Commission puts forward new package of sanctions against Russia – Europe live

Ursula von der Leyen and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas will set out details in a press statement later todayThe European Commission had adopted a new package of sanctions against Russia, the commission’s chief spokesperson Paula Pinho has just confirmed.Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas will set out details in a press statement later today, she said. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago EU expected to unveil latest round of sanctions on Russia – Europe live

The sanctions will target banks and energy, and come amid pressure from Donald Trump for the bloc to phase out Russian oilThe European Union is expected to unveil the latest, 19th, package of sanctions against Russia today, which the commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said would target crypto, banks, and energy, among others.The EU is also reportedly looking at imposing sanctions on companies in China and India helping Russia’s oil trade, as reported previously by Bloomberg (£). Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Strikes and marches against budget cuts cause disruption across France, with 141 arrests – Europe live

At least 476 separate demonstrations are taking place over public services and wages, a week after the appointment of new PM Sébastien LecornuPeople in France: share your views on the strikeFull report: France’s biggest strike in years under way amid political crisisI am keeping an eye on the EU’s midday briefing just now, but there is no substantial update from the EU on the 19th package of sanctions against Russia.The European Commission’s deputy chief spokesperson, Olof Gill, repeated that “we expect to present [them] soon”, as he asked journalists to “please bear with us on that”, without offering more detail. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Strikes and marches against budget cuts cause disruption across France, with 94 arrests – Europe live

Up to 800,000 people are expected to protest over public services and wages, a week after the appointment of prime minister Sébastien LecornuPeople in France: share your views on the strikeFull report: France’s biggest strike in years under way amid political crisisI am keeping an eye on the EU’s midday briefing just now, but there is no substantial update from the EU on the 19th package of sanctions against Russia.The European Commission’s deputy chief spokesperson, Olof Gill, repeated that “we expect to present [them] soon”, as he asked journalists to “please bear with us on that”, without offering more detail. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago New French PM under pressure as strikes disrupt schools and transport across country – Europe live

Up to 800,000 people are expected to march over budget cuts, public services and wages a week after Sébastien Lecornu’s appointmentPeople in France: share your views on the strikeFull report: France’s biggest strike in years under way amid political crisisI am keeping an eye on the EU’s midday briefing just now, but there is no substantial update from the EU on the 19th package of sanctions against Russia.The European Commission’s deputy chief spokesperson, Olof Gill, repeated that “we expect to present [them] soon”, as he asked journalists to “please bear with us on that”, without offering more detail. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Trump says Russian oil purchases by EU and Nato countries must ‘stop immediately’ — Europe live

US president adds that ‘Zelenskyy will have to make a deal’ and that Ukraine ‘is in serious trouble’ as he departs for UK state visitEU commissioners will on Wednesday agree to impose new sanctions against Israel over its war in Gaza, a spokesperson for the commission said on Tuesday.“Tomorrow, commissioners will be adopting a package of measures on Israel,” spokesperson Paula Pinho said, as reported by Reuters.“Specifically, a proposal to suspend certain trade provisions in the agreements between the EU and Israel.” Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Spain says it will withdraw from 2026 Eurovision song contest if Israel takes part — Europe live

Spain is the first of the ‘Big Five’ countries to threaten withdrawal from the competition following vote at state broadcaster RTVEEU commissioners will on Wednesday agree to impose new sanctions against Israel over its war in Gaza, a spokesperson for the commission said on Tuesday.“Tomorrow, commissioners will be adopting a package of measures on Israel,” spokesperson Paula Pinho said, as reported by Reuters.“Specifically, a proposal to suspend certain trade provisions in the agreements between the EU and Israel.” Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Spain votes to withdraw from 2026 Eurovision song contest if Israel takes part — Europe live

Spain is the first of the ‘Big Five’ countries to threaten withdrawal from the competition following vote at state broadcaster RTVEEU commissioners will on Wednesday agree to impose new sanctions against Israel over its war in Gaza, a spokesperson for the commission said on Tuesday.“Tomorrow, commissioners will be adopting a package of measures on Israel,” spokesperson Paula Pinho said, as reported by Reuters.“Specifically, a proposal to suspend certain trade provisions in the agreements between the EU and Israel.” Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Zelenskyy says 3,500 drones launched at Ukraine this month as he calls for Trump to take ‘clear position’ on Russia — Europe live

Sanctions and security guarantees for Ukraine are among the ‘missing pieces’ the Ukrainian president asks for in overnight interview ahead of US president’s state visit to UK As I mentioned earlier, the EU’s von der Leyen is speaking now in Brussels on “one year after the Draghi report.”Painting a rather rosy picture, she argues that Europe “is not only a challenger, but a leader in many fields that will define that race” on innovation, including computing power and AI adoption.“Now is the time to implement the joint protection of our European skies with a multi-layered air defense system. All the technologies for this are already in place. What is needed are investments and determination – strong action.” Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Europe live: French PM loses confidence vote and will tender resignation amid political crisis

More than 350 French lawmakers voted against François BayrouAnd over in Brussels, EU diplomats have been briefing journalists that the European Commission is expected to propose a 19th package of sanctions against Russia by Friday, Reuters said.The EU has stepped up its listings and is no longer shying away from larger entities in third countries, and it could list banks in two central Asian countries too, they said. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Europe live: Macron labelled ‘a defeated president’ as his PM faces no

Socialist Boris Vallaud launched blistering attack on Macron and says Bayrou’s decision to call a no-confidence vote is ‘a cop-out’And over in Brussels, EU diplomats have been briefing journalists that the European Commission is expected to propose a 19th package of sanctions against Russia by Friday, Reuters said.The EU has stepped up its listings and is no longer shying away from larger entities in third countries, and it could list banks in two central Asian countries too, they said. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Europe live: François Bayrou says lawmakers face ‘not a political, but historical question’ on France’s future, ahead of confidence vote

Bayrou would be third prime minister to lose the post in a year, leaving Macron in a difficult political position and an impossible vacancy to fillAnd over in Brussels, EU diplomats have been briefing journalists that the European Commission is expected to propose a 19th package of sanctions against Russia by Friday, Reuters said.The EU has stepped up its listings and is no longer shying away from larger entities in third countries, and it could list banks in two central Asian countries too, they said. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago What could Trump’s ‘second phase’ of sanctions against Russia involve?

Trump on Sunday signalled he may finally escalate sanctions on Moscow or its oil buyers

Politics