2 h. 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

3 h. 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

23 h. ago Readers' Letters: Will Starmer stiffen Trump's spine over Russia sanctions?

Keir Starmer needs to have a word with Donald Trump over his so-far empty threats to Russia, says reader

Politics

44 h. ago The Guardian view on Donald Trump’s Ukraine strategy: talking tough and doing very little isn’t working | Editorial

Last week’s incursion into Polish territory by Russian drones was an ominous escalation. But the US president keeps finding reasons not to actBack in January, with Donald Trump’s campaign promises to end the war in Ukraine “within 24 hours” still fresh in the memory, there was genuine unease in Moscow over the US president’s intentions. When Mr Trump mused that “high levels of Taxes, Tariffs, and Sanctions” on Russia might be necessary, one high-profile and pro-war Moscow commentator wrote: “It’s better to prepare for the worst. Soon, we’ll look back on Biden’s term with nostalgia, like a thaw.”How wrong can you be? Since then, the US president has repeatedly talked the talk without coming close to walking the walk. In May, when Vladimir Putin rejected a 30-day ceasefire, and peace talks in Turkey went nowhere, a “bone-crushing” US sanctions package failed to materialise. An 8 August deadline for Mr Putin to agree to a ceasefire somehow morphed into a red carpet welcome in Alas...

Politics

46 h. ago Readers' Letters: Starmer made a massive mistake in giving Murray the boot

What was Keir Starmer thinking when he sacked Ian Murray, asks reader?

Politics

48 h. 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

50 h. 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

51 h. 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

54 h. 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

5 d. ago Trump ‘ready’ to impose sanctions on Russia if Nato nations stop buying its oil

In Truth Social post, US president also suggests members consider imposing tariffs of 50% to 100% on ChinaDonald Trump has said he is ready to impose sanctions on Moscow, but on the condition that all Nato allies agree to completely halt purchases of Russian oil and implement their own sanctions.He also suggested members of the transatlantic alliance consider imposing tariffs of 50% to 100% on China for its purchases of Russian petroleum as a way to help end the war. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Yvette Cooper announces new Russia sanctions as she visits Kyiv for first time as Foreign Secretary

Yvette Cooper has chosen Ukraine for her international diplomatic debut, arriving by rail this morning.

Politics

6 d. ago France sends jets to Poland as the UK ramps up sanctions in a signal to Russia

France says its is deploying fighter jets to Poland, and the UK has announced new sanctions against Russia

Politics

6 d. ago France sends jets to Poland, the UK ramps up sanctions in a signal to Russia not to escalate

France says its is deploying fighter jets to Poland, and the UK has announced new sanctions against Russia

Politics

6 d. ago Yvette Cooper announces new sanctions on Russia as she visits Kyiv

The Foreign Secretary is in the Ukrainian capital for her first overseas visit in her new role.

Politics

6 d. ago UK hits Vladimir Putin with new sanctions after Poland drone violation

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has slapped new sanctions on Vladimir Putin's war machine following Russia's unprecedented violation of Polish air space this week

Events

8 d. ago Starmer calls for more pressure on Russia as Trump mulls tougher sanctions

The Prime Minister and Nato chief Mark Rutte said Moscow should be slapped with stronger sanctions.

Politics

9 d. ago Trump says he is ready to impose new sanctions on Russia. What might happen now?

Measures so far have not induced Moscow to stop the war in Ukraine. Will fresh sanctions finally halt Putin’s advance?EU officials are meeting their US counterparts to discuss what could be the first coordinated transatlantic sanctions against Russia since Donald Trump returned to the White House. The US president, who has previously stepped back from financial threats to Russia, has this week said he is ready to move to a second stage of sanctions. Their form, if they were to come, is however not yet clear. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. 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

9 d. 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

1 week 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