15 h. ago Europe is scrambling to form a united front and regain relevance in the Iran crisis

Tehran now places little faith in the European countries who played a key role in brokering the Iranian nuclear dealExposed as divided and marginalised during the Iran crisis, European nations are scrambling to retrieve a place at the Middle East negotiating table, fearing an impulsive Donald Trump has diminishing interest in stabilising Iran or the wider region now he believes he has achieved his key objective of wiping out Tehran’s nuclear programme.On Tuesday the EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, was the latest senior European figure to phone the Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, offering to be a facilitator and urging Tehran not to leave the crisis in a dangerous limbo by keeping UN weapons inspectors out of Iran. Continue reading...

Events

16 h. ago US and Ukraine to work on strengthening air defences, Zelenskyy says, after call Trump says was ‘meaningful’ – Europe live

All-night attack on Kyiv followed conversation between US president and PutinRussian drone attack on KyivKremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Russia would continue its war on Ukraine as it was unable to achieve its goals through “diplomatic means.”“We are interested in achieving our goals in the course of the special military operation and it is preferable to do it by political and diplomatic means,” Peskov said, as reported by AFP.“But until that is not possible, we are continuing the special operation.” Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Severe weather warnings issued for southern Europe ahead of Bezos wedding in Venice – Europe live

Temperatures expected to reach over 40C at the weekend as Amazon founder Jeff Bezos prepares to marry Lauren Sánchez in VeniceThe 28-year-old son of Norway’s crown princess is suspected of three rapes and more than a dozen other offences, Norwegian police as they announced the closure of an investigation launched 10 months ago, AFP reported.Police attorney Andreas Kruszewski told a press conference the investigation had been turned over to prosecutors, who would decide whether to press charges. Continue reading...

Events

7 d. ago European leaders fail to agree on latest package of Russian sanctions – Europe live

Hungary and Slovakia oppose measures and separate EU proposal on phasing out Russian energy importsUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on European leaders to send “a clear political message” of support for Ukraine’s accession to the EU, as Hungary continues to stymie progress.Zelenskyy’s appeal in a video address to EU leaders was made on Thursday evening just hours after Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orbán claimed he had a mandate to stop Ukraine’s EU accession.“Sanctions against Russia remain one of the most effective tools for limiting its aggression.” Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Voices: What’s the point of the UK talking to Tehran? More than you might think

The meeting in Geneva between European foreign ministers and their opposite number in the Iranian regime is no ordinary peace mission – the delegation isn’t there to stop the war, says Michael Day, they’re acting as the Ayatollah’s Trump-whisperer

Politics

3 w. ago Putin mocking Trump with attacks on Ukraine, Poland says, as European foreign ministers meet for defence talks – Europe live

Ministers to discuss Weimar+ model joined by Nato secretary general and EU foreign policy chief ahead of Nato summit later this monthEuropean foreign ministers are now arriving in Rome for their Weimar+ meeting on security and Ukraine.Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani said his country needs “at least 10 years” to raise defence spending and comply with new targets to be agreed by Nato, adding that a deal on them could soon be reached, Reuters reported. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago European foreign ministers meet in Rome to discuss defence as Zelenskyy calls for more sanctions on Russia – Europe live

Ministers to discuss Weimar+ model joined by Nato secretary general and EU foreign policy chief ahead of Nato summit later this monthTurning briefly to Austria, later today we should get an update from the police on their investigation into the school shooting in Graz, with a press conference scheduled for late morning.I will bring you any important updates here. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago European foreign ministers meet in Rome to discuss defence and security plans – Europe live

Ministers to discuss Weimar+ model joined by Nato secretary general and EU foreign policy chief ahead of Nato summit later this monthZelenskyy also criticised Russia’s Putin for “willing to pay for their sick geopolitical fantasies” with the lives of over one million Russians killed in the war so far.“A million losses, and, still, they are doing everything to avoid ending this war. They even ignore the US and president Trump,” he said. Continue reading...

Politics