3 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

8 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

39 h. ago Revealed: Key details about latest Ukraine peace deal – and the main hurdles Russia keeps putting in the way

Ukraine emerged from two days of talks with Trump’s envoy positive about progress

Economics

52 h. ago What we know about the latest Ukraine peace deal – and the main hurdles Russia keeps putting in the way

Ukraine emerged from two days of talks with Trump’s envoy positive about progress

Economics

57 h. ago Ukraine peace deal proposals could be finalised within days, Zelensky says in biggest sign yet of possible breakthrough

Volodymyr Zelensky says peace deal proposals that may end the nearly-four-year invasion of Ukraine could be finalised in the coming days. 

Economics

58 h. ago Peace plans ready to be presented to Russia in days, says Zelenskyy

US says talks with Ukraine in Berlin have resolved 90% of difficult issues – but no sign Putin willing to compromiseEurope live – latest updatesVolodymyr Zelenskyy says proposals negotiated with US officials on a peace deal to end Russia’s war in Ukraine could be finalised within days, after which American envoys will present them to the Kremlin.After two days of talks in Berlin, US officials said on Monday they had resolved “90%” of the problematic issues between Russia and Ukraine, but despite the positive spin it is not clear that an end to the war is any closer, particularly as the Russian side is absent from the current talks. Continue reading...

Politics

2 d. ago Trump says Ukraine deal ‘closer than ever’ after talks in Berlin

Germany says US to provide security guarantees as Kyiv and Washington admit differences on territorial issues

Politics

3 d. ago Europe sets out conditions for Ukraine peace deal after Berlin meeting

Meanwhile, US officials have reportedly offered unspecified security guarantees to Ukraine.

Economics

3 d. ago Keir Starmer and European leaders set out six major Ukraine peace deal commitments

It came as PM Keir Starmer Starmer travelled to Berlin on Monday evening for talks with Ukraine's war-time leader Volodymyr Zelensky and European allies over a peace deal

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 Ukraine and US claim progress towards peace deal but divisions persist

Germany says Americans will provide security guarantees as Kyiv and Washington admit differences on territorial issues

Economics

3 d. ago Keir Starmer sounds Russia warning as bad Ukraine peace deal risks 'worse conflicts'

Keir Starmer warned the UK must be 'alert to that ever-present danger from Russia' - and said Vladimir Putin will 'keep coming back for me' if he gets the chance

Events

3 d. ago Russia open to Ukraine joining EU after peace deal, US officials say

American and Ukrainian negotiators have been discussing what a U.S. official called a ‘very strong security package’ for Kyiv in Berlin

Politics

3 d. ago Putin 'open' to Ukraine joining EU in peace deal but offer won't be on table 'forever'

Russia has reportedly said it is open to allowing Ukraine to join the European Union as part of a potential peace deal, according to US officials working with both countries

Politics

3 d. ago US hails ‘progress’ after five hours of peace talks with Zelensky in Berlin

Starmer to join European allies and US envoys for talks on Russia-Ukraine peace deal

Politics

4 d. ago Zelensky ditches hopes of Ukraine joining Nato ahead of crunch peace talks in Berlin

Starmer to join European allies and US envoys for talks on Russia-Ukraine peace deal

Politics

7 d. ago Merz offers to host Ukraine talks so deal not done ‘above Europe’s head’

Leaders of Germany, France and UK hold ‘detailed’ call with Donald Trump about latest draft of peace plan

Economics

8 d. ago Ukraine war: Trump criticises European leaders on eve of crunch coalition meeting

President says there were ‘strong words’ in latest call, as Volodymyr Zelenskyy to join other European leaders to discuss peace plan on ThursdayLeaders of the “coalition of the willing” group of nations will hold a video call about the Ukraine war on Thursday as Donald Trump voiced impatience with European allies and put US involvement in further talks in doubt, saying they risked “wasting time”.Amid chaotic American efforts to push through a peace deal, the US president said on Wednesday night: “We discussed Ukraine in pretty strong words”, when asked about an earlier phone call with British prime minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz Continue reading...

Politics