1 hour ago The Guardian view on the EU and Ukraine: a moment of truth for Brussels and Kyiv | Editorial

The plan to mobilise Russia’s frozen assets is morally compelling and ingenious. The problem is that its enemies will never see it that wayMorally, the decision facing the European Council in Brussels this week has been a no-brainer. Russia invaded Ukraine illegally and unilaterally. Moscow shows no sign of wanting peace. It actively threatens other countries too, including Britain. Ukraine is running out of money. Yet £184bn worth of Russian assets remain frozen in Europe, notably in Belgium. That money should therefore be mobilised to fund Ukraine. To many, this would be the enactment of a clear and present duty, proof positive that Europe can still be a heavy hitter.In the messy reaches of the real world, however, things have not been straightforward. Law, economics and politics all managed to insinuate themselves, sometimes venomously, into the intense buildup to Brussels. Reparations can have lethal political consequences. Seizure of assets will undoubtedly face legal...

Politics

4 h. ago Russia has few legal options to challenge EU frozen asset plan

A core question for European Union leaders discussing whether to use frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine is whether the idea is legally sound

Politics

5 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

6 h. ago Polish independence could be under threat if Ukraine forced to capitulate, Donald Tusk warns – Europe live

Warning comes as EU leaders discuss sending frozen Russian assets to UkraineGermany’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

7 h. ago Polish independence ‘under threat’ if EU cannot come to decision on giving Russian assets to Ukraine, says Poland’s Tusk – Europe live

Warning comes as EU leaders attempt to reduce the risks from Russian retaliation against Belgium, which holds most of the €210bn of 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

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

10 h. ago Why can’t the EU agree on using £80bn of frozen Russian assets for the Ukraine war?

Ukraine’s allies in Europe are trying to find support but there are disagreements within the bloc

Economics

11 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

12 h. ago Putin hits Europe with his most feared weapon... his lawyers: EU bid to use frozen Russian assets could be scuppered as leaders fear they could be forced to pay the money back after the war

EU leaders are due to meet on Thursday for a crunch summit on plans to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, with Belgium facing growing pressure to abandon its opposition.

Events

15 h. ago EU leaders urged to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s defence

Pressure is growing on member states to back a €90bn loan for Kyiv ahead of a Brussels summitEuropean leaders are being urged to decide whether to use Russia’s frozen assets to fund Ukraine’s defence at a time of unprecedented pressure from the US.At a critical summit in Brussels on Thursday, EU leaders will be asked to make good on a promise to find urgently needed cash for Ukraine, with Kyiv under pressure to cede territory as Russia ekes out advances on the battlefield. Continue reading...

Politics

31 h. ago Putin calls European leaders ‘little pigs’ and says Russia will achieve Ukraine goals by diplomacy or force

Russian leader says aims of its ‘special military operation’ will be met ‘unconditionally’The last available Erasmus+ country report for the UK based on 2020 data shows that University of Glasgow, University of Bristol, and University of Edinburgh were the three top UK universities sending students abroad, with most people coming into the UK from Spain, France and Germany.Just over 16,000 European students came into the UK as part of from the scheme in 2019/2020, with almost 6,000 trainees on top of that figure. 9,800 UK students and 6,500 trainees went in the other direction, data show. Continue reading...

Politics

32 h. ago EU politicians and universities welcome UK’s decision to rejoin Erasmus as ‘big step forward’

Negotiations among EU leaders continue ahead of critical European Council meeting in Brussels on ThursdayThe last available Erasmus+ country report for the UK based on 2020 data shows that University of Glasgow, University of Bristol, and University of Edinburgh were the three top UK universities sending students abroad, with most people coming into the UK from Spain, France and Germany.Just over 16,000 European students came into the UK as part of from the scheme in 2019/2020, with almost 6,000 trainees on top of that figure. 9,800 UK students and 6,500 trainees went in the other direction, data show. Continue reading...

Politics

33 h. ago EU welcomes UK’s decision to rejoin Erasmus as ‘big step forward’

Negotiations among EU leaders continue ahead of critical European Council meeting in Brussels on ThursdayThe last available Erasmus+ country report for the UK based on 2020 data shows that University of Glasgow, University of Bristol, and University of Edinburgh were the three top UK universities sending students abroad, with most people coming into the UK from Spain, France and Germany.Just over 16,000 European students came into the UK as part of from the scheme in 2019/2020, with almost 6,000 trainees on top of that figure. 9,800 UK students and 6,500 trainees went in the other direction, data show. Continue reading...

Events

34 h. ago EU chiefs welcome UK’s decision to rejoin Erasmus as ‘big step forward’

Negotiations among EU leaders continue ahead of critical European Council meeting in Brussels on ThursdayEducation editorYoung people across the UK will be able to study or gain work experience through the EU’s Erasmus scheme for the first time since Brexit, after the government announced an agreement to rejoin at a cost of £570m. Continue reading...

Events

35 h. ago EU talks on using Russian assets to fund reparations loan for Ukraine enter final stages ahead of crunch meeting – Europe live

Negotiations among EU leaders continue ahead of critical European Council meeting in Brussels on ThursdayIf you want to test various scenarios ahead of tomorrow’s debate on Russian frozen assets, you can use this handy calculator to see what is needed to get the proposal passed under the so-called qualified majority vote, or QMV (expect to hear a lot about it in the next 48 hours).As we know, the opposition is led by Belgium and its outspoken prime minister Bart de Wever, with Bulgaria, Czech Republic, and Malta also against. Italy has some doubts too (at least for now?), and Hungary, traditionally, is against anything that would help Ukraine. Continue reading...

Politics

58 h. ago Zelenskyy warns against rewarding Russian aggression after ‘intense and focused’ peace talks – Europe live

Ukrainian president speaks in Dutch parliament ahead of crucial EU meeting on use of frozen Russian assetsCommenting on Berlin talks, Zelenskyy says he held “really intensive” talks with US counterparts in Germany, “working in a great detail on documents that could stop the war and guarantee security.”But he says “every single detail matters,” adding that nothing in the proposed peace deal should be allowed to “become a reward for Russia’s aggression.”I truly hope that the next time I address your parliament it will be with gratitude for a peace that has been achieved. Continue reading...

Events

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 European leaders gather for crunch meeting on Ukraine as Zelenskyy says US talks were ‘not easy’ – Europe live

No details on any tangible compromises between US and Ukraine, with Zelenskyy ruling out territorial concessionsSeparately, 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

6 d. ago Belgian PM meets Starmer in London as debate continues on using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine – Europe live

Bart De Wever will also discuss migration, security and economy ahead of coalition of the willing meeting and EU summit next weekRussia’s central bank said it was suing the Belgium-based Euroclear financial group, which holds Moscow’s frozen international reserves, as the EU moves closer to using the funds to support Ukraine, AFP reported.The bank said it was filing “a lawsuit against Euroclear in the Moscow Arbitration Court” due to what it called “the illegal actions” of the institution. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago EU prepares to use £185 BILLION of frozen Russian assets to fund huge loan to Ukraine

The move would allow EU leaders to work out at a summit next week how to use the tens of billions of euros in Russian Central Bank assets to underwrite a huge loan to help Ukraine in the war.

Economics