3 h. ago Merz strikes urgent tone in calling for more European independence from US

Stance of German alliance’s leader could herald closer ties with France but ‘debt brake’ poses obstacle to spendingGerman election live – latest updatesFriedrich Merz marked his conservative alliance’s victory in Germany’s election by urging Europe to make itself more independent from the US – a project that will be music to the ears of Emmanuel Macron but may turn on whether Merz can build a Bundestag majority to lift the so-called debt brake that slows increases in defence spending.One possibility for the CDU/CSU alliance leader, who is on course to become Germany’s next chancellor, is to claim that the country is in an emergency, to try to force the change through the Bundestag before its dissolution. Continue reading...

Events

10 h. ago Germany: Merz calls for European ‘independence’ from US after Conservatives win election – Europe live

Donald Trump has made it clear he is ‘fairly indifferent to Europe’s fate’, says CDU leader who plans to form a coalition by EasterGerman election 2025: results in fullGuten Morgen aus Berlin,In November 2019, Freidrich Merz joined a conference of German students at Harvard.From our point of view it can get going very, very quickly. We should hold the first talks this week already, in the coming days.My impression is that there are many people in the SPD who also see that we can and should do something together, and then we will find compromises. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Jimmy Thelin calls for Aberdeen stability in European charge as he provides update on injured trio

The Reds are looking to make it two league wins on the spin when they welcome Kilmarnock to Pittodrie on Saturday

Events

4 d. ago Trump criticized for ‘dangerous’ comments calling Zelenskyy a ‘dictator’ as European leaders rush to contain crisis – live

German leader condemns US president attack as ‘wrong’ while UK and French leaders plan Washington visit in effort to influence US talks with RussiaLavrov also speaks about Russia’s alliances with Belarus, North Korea, China and Iran, and countries in Africa.He says the “comprehensive partnership with China” was “at an unprecedented level and exceeding any prior alliances of a classic type,” with both leaders attending important anniversaries in each other’s countries.I will tell you something that is a key issue for us at this stage of international development, and that is our move towards a multipolar world. It is a historic process, and it is to do with the subjective trend of new power centres appearing on the world map.Our partners in the Global South and in the east are unique civilisations and religions and are members of various integration associations, but all of them are united by a desire towards development, progressive development without external pressure At the same ...

Politics

6 d. ago Europe at war over Starmer's Ukraine peace plan: Germany's Scholz storms out of crisis summit and slams UK's 'completely premature' troops pledge

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz left a crisis summit in Paris between European leaders early and a 'little irritated' labelling the premier's calls as 'highly inappropriate'.

Events

6 d. ago US ‘backstop’ vital to deter future Russian attacks on Ukraine, says Starmer

British prime minister says force would need protections such as air cover that only US can provide Keir Starmer has urged Donald Trump to provide a US “backstop” to a European peacekeeping force in Ukraine, saying it is the only way to deter Russia from attacking the country again.The UK prime minister’s appeal to Trump came after an emergency summit in Paris that heard widespread calls by European leaders for a large boost in defence spending. Continue reading...

Events

6 d. ago No decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine, Poland’s Tusk insists, as Germany says Europe and US must not be split – Europe live

European leaders call for unity and discuss defence spending at emergency summit sparked by US plans for UkraineSwedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson told Reuters that deploying Swedish troops to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping force is “absolutely a possibility.”His comments build on earlier declaration from Swedish foreign minister Maria Malmer Stenegard (9:40). Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago European leaders regroup in Paris for strategy huddle after Trump diplomatic blitz on Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron has called leaders from key European Union nations and the United Kingdom to his ornate Elysee Palace for an emergency meeting Monday

Politics

7 d. ago European defence shares surge as investors bet on higher spending

Donald Trump has called on European governments to boost their defence budgets

Economics