3 d. ago Macron hosts ‘excellent’ ceasefire talks with top US, European and Ukrainian officials

Senior diplomats set to meet again in London next week after ‘very productive’ Paris summit to revive stalled effortsSenior US, European and Ukrainian diplomats will meet again in London next week, the Élysée Palace has said, after what a French official described as an “excellent” day of talks in Paris aimed at reviving stalled ceasefire efforts.“We have started a positive process in which Europeans are a part,” the spokesperson said after the meetings attended by top British, French, German and Ukrainian officials as well as the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, and Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says US minerals deal could come today but attacks Witkoff for ‘spreading Russian narrative’ – Europe live

Comments come as Macron welcomes US envoy and Marco Rubio at Élysée palace in Paris for Ukraine talksAs we await further updates from the talks taking place at the Élysée, let me bring you some other stories from around Europe.Meanwhile, Russia’s top economic negotiator claimed that some countries were trying to “derail” Moscow’s talks with the United States, as the two sides work towards normalising ties. Continue reading...

Economics

3 d. ago Zelenskyy says Witkoff ‘spreading Russian narrative’ as US envoy holds talks in Paris – Europe live

Ukrainian president says US minerals deal could be signed today as Macron welcomes US’s Steve Witkoff and Marco Rubio at Élysée palace in ParisAs we await further updates from the talks taking place at the Élysée, let me bring you some other stories from around Europe.Meanwhile, Russia’s top economic negotiator claimed that some countries were trying to “derail” Moscow’s talks with the United States, as the two sides work towards normalising ties. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Paris talks with allies focused on ‘paths to fair and lasting peace’, Ukraine’s foreign minister says – Europe live

Andrii Sybiha meets with British, French and German ministers as US representatives expected to meet French president Emmanuel MacronUkrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha has just posted on update on his separate talks with British, French and German partners at the Élysée earlier today.He said they “discussed the paths to a fair and lasting peace, including full ceasefire, multinational contingent, and security guarantees for Ukraine.” Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago US officials to meet European leaders in Paris to discuss Ukraine war

Trump envoys to meet Macron as well as British and German politicians to discuss concerns about RussiaTwo of Donald Trump’s top national security aides will hold talks in Paris on Thursday with European politicians and security advisers, as the US and Europe search for common ground on ending the Ukraine war and averting an Iran conflict.The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, and special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, are expected to hear concerns about Russia amid so-far fruitless US attempts to arrange a ceasefire three years after Russia invaded its neighbour. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Hungary ‘rapidly going in wrong direction’, EU lawmakers warn after visit – Europe live

Delegation of European parliament lawmakers raise concerns about ‘number of worrying developments’ concern country’s compliances with EU valuesUS state secretary Marco Rubio and White House envoy Steve Witkoff will visit France in the coming days, the French government’s spokesperson Sophie Primas confirmed.Politico and Le Monde earlier reported that the pair would come to Paris later this week with the intention of hosting high-level talks on Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, and trade. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff to visit Paris for talks on Russian invasion of Ukraine, US confirms – Europe live

US state department says Rubio and Witkoff will have ‘talks with European counterparts’ on advancing Donald Trump’s plan to end Russian invasionUS state secretary Marco Rubio and White House envoy Steve Witkoff will visit France in the coming days, the French government’s spokesperson Sophie Primas confirmed.Politico and Le Monde earlier reported that the pair would come to Paris later this week with the intention of hosting high-level talks on Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, and trade. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Government ‘in talks on migrant removals agreement with France’

A Home Office spokesman said ministers are ‘intensifying’ collaboration with France and other European countries.

Politics

6 d. ago The Guardian view on Friedrich Merz’s grand coalition: gambling on a new centre ground | Editorial

The deal signed last week between the centre-right CDU and centre-left SPD paves the way for vital investment in Europe’s biggest economySome years ago, hundreds of German finance ministry staff dressed in black and formed a giant zero to salute their boss, Wolfgang Schäuble, as he left office. It was a tribute to Mr Schäuble’s extreme fiscal conservatism, which had delivered Germany’s first balanced budget in the postwar period. Amid resurgent prosperity in the Angela Merkel years, the so-called black zero – symbolising a constitutional prohibition on public debt – had gradually acquired cult status.As a new administration prepares to take power in Berlin, it seems unlikely that human euro signs will welcome the latest politician to take on Mr Schäuble’s former role. But in dramatic fashion, the spending taps are set to be turned on. Via a swiftly staged March vote in the outgoing Bundestag, “debt brake” dogma was consigned to history by the chancellor‑elec...

Politics

9 d. ago Russian media report Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff will meet Putin for Ukraine talks – Europe live

Kremlin is also quoted as saying the pair will talk about Ukraine and ‘may discuss Putin’s meeting with Trump’Ukrainian defence minister Rustem Umerov has offered an update on talks and commitments made in Brussels, as he posted about Germany’s declaration it would offer €11bn in further military help to Ukraine up to 2029.He said:The deliveries from in 2025 will help us defend our skies (IRIS-T systems with missiles, PATRIOT missiles) and strengthen our positions on the battlefield (Marders, Leopards, artillery systems). Thank you, Germany, for standing by our side. Together, we will ensure a just and lasting peace in Europe. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Russia shows no will for peace, Ukraine’s defence minister tells allies at Brussels summit – Europe live

Rustem Umerov says Russia is ramping up production as UK’s John Healey says €21bn in new aid has been committed at meetingUkrainian defence minister Rustem Umerov has offered an update on talks and commitments made in Brussels, as he posted about Germany’s declaration it would offer €11bn in further military help to Ukraine up to 2029.He said:The deliveries from in 2025 will help us defend our skies (IRIS-T systems with missiles, PATRIOT missiles) and strengthen our positions on the battlefield (Marders, Leopards, artillery systems). Thank you, Germany, for standing by our side. Together, we will ensure a just and lasting peace in Europe. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago UK ‘resolved to get best deal’ with US, despite American doubts about carve out

Rachel Reeves is travelling to Poland on Friday to meet European finance ministers.

Economics

1 week ago US markets close with steep losses as Trump tariffs branded ‘worst self

Wall Street stocks tumbled again as investors remain jittery while former US treasury chief criticises Trump’s economic policyChina and the European Union have exchanged views on strengthening their economic and trade cooperation in response to US tariffs, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Thursday, according to Reuters news agency.In a video call on Tuesday, China’s commerce minister Wang Wentao discussed with European trade and economic security commissioner Maros Sefcovic the restart of talks on trade relief and to immediately carry out negotiations on electric vehicle price commitments, the Chinese ministry statement said. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago US tariffs on China now 145%, as Trump’s policy branded ‘worst self

Total combines Trump’s ‘reciprocal’ tariffs of 125% and the 20% fentanyl levy, while former US treasury chief criticises Trump’s economic policyChina and the European Union have exchanged views on strengthening their economic and trade cooperation in response to US tariffs, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Thursday, according to Reuters news agency.In a video call on Tuesday, China’s commerce minister Wang Wentao discussed with European trade and economic security commissioner Maros Sefcovic the restart of talks on trade relief and to immediately carry out negotiations on electric vehicle price commitments, the Chinese ministry statement said. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Former US treasury secretary slams Trump tariffs as ‘worst self

Janet Yellen, who also is a former Federal Reserve chair, says Trump’s economic policies increase likelihood of recessionRead the latest full reportUS-China trade war intensifies as Beijing’s tariffs come into effect after Trump pauseChina and the European Union have exchanged views on strengthening their economic and trade cooperation in response to US tariffs, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Thursday, according to Reuters news agency.In a video call on Tuesday, China’s commerce minister Wang Wentao discussed with European trade and economic security commissioner Maros Sefcovic the restart of talks on trade relief and to immediately carry out negotiations on electric vehicle price commitments, the Chinese ministry statement said. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Wall Street opens lower despite hopes that ‘well advanced’ trade talks will yield deals

Ursula von der Leyen says EU “want to give negotiations a chance”, by pausing countermeasures for 90 daysRead the latest full reportUS-China trade war intensifies as Beijing’s tariffs come into effect after Trump pauseChina and the European Union have exchanged views on strengthening their economic and trade cooperation in response to US tariffs, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Thursday, according to Reuters news agency.In a video call on Tuesday, China’s commerce minister Wang Wentao discussed with European trade and economic security commissioner Maros Sefcovic the restart of talks on trade relief and to immediately carry out negotiations on electric vehicle price commitments, the Chinese ministry statement said. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago Wall Street to fall back despite hopes that ‘well advanced’ trade talks will yield deals

Ursula von der Leyen says EU “want to give negotiations a chance”, by pausing countermeasures for 90 daysRead the latest full reportUS-China trade war intensifies as Beijing’s tariffs come into effect after Trump pauseChina and the European Union have exchanged views on strengthening their economic and trade cooperation in response to US tariffs, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Thursday, according to Reuters news agency.In a video call on Tuesday, China’s commerce minister Wang Wentao discussed with European trade and economic security commissioner Maros Sefcovic the restart of talks on trade relief and to immediately carry out negotiations on electric vehicle price commitments, the Chinese ministry statement said. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago Euro strengthens as EU delays retaliatory tariffs against US by 90 days in response to Trump’s pause – business live

Ursula von der Leyen says EU “want to give negotiations a chance”, by pausing countermeasures for 90 daysRead the latest full reportUS-China trade war intensifies as Beijing’s tariffs come into effect after Trump pauseChina and the European Union have exchanged views on strengthening their economic and trade cooperation in response to US tariffs, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Thursday, according to Reuters news agency.In a video call on Tuesday, China’s commerce minister Wang Wentao discussed with European trade and economic security commissioner Maros Sefcovic the restart of talks on trade relief and to immediately carry out negotiations on electric vehicle price commitments, the Chinese ministry statement said. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago China’s new tariffs on US goods take effect as Asian markets rally after Trump’s tariff reversal – business live

China’s 84% retaliatory tariffs on US goods, announced on Wednesday, are due to come into effect on ThursdayRead the latest full reportChina and the European Union have exchanged views on strengthening their economic and trade cooperation in response to US tariffs, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Thursday, according to Reuters news agency.In a video call on Tuesday, China’s commerce minister Wang Wentao discussed with European trade and economic security commissioner Maros Sefcovic the restart of talks on trade relief and to immediately carry out negotiations on electric vehicle price commitments, the Chinese ministry statement said. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago EU sanctions policy ‘failed’ to make impact on Russia, says Hungarian minister – Europe live

Péter Szijjártó, Hungary’s foreign minister, claims sanctions ‘hit European economy more than Russian economy’Péter Szijjártó, a frequent visitor to Moscow despite the continuing Russian aggression against Ukraine, also told Bloomberg that the EU’s sanctions policy “has failed” as he claimed it “hit European economy more than the Russian economy”.He said that Hungary’s view on rolling over the existing sanctions will “depend a lot on the geopolitical circumstances”, with Budapest closely following the progress of Trump-led talks with Russia. Continue reading...

Politics