Ursula von der Leyen

Europe News

What is the reparations loan for Ukraine and why is the EU stuck?

An audacious plan to use Russia's immobilised assets to issue a €140-billion loan to Ukraine is held up by EU leaders. Here's why.

25/10/2025

Europe News

Belgian resistance holds up €140 billion loan for Ukraine at EU summit

After a summit of EU leaders, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever complained he had not received answers to all his concerns about a groundbreaking plan to issue a €140 billion loan to Ukraine.

24/10/2025

Europe News

Egypt joins EU's Horizon Europe but funding is not guaranteed

Egypt can now apply for projects under Horizon Europe, though funding will depend on the eligibility of each proposal.

22/10/2025

Europe News

Ukraine loan, climate goals and China set to dominate EU summit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend the EU summit and plead for fresh support after his disappointing visit to the White House.

22/10/2025

Europe News

EU pushes Slovak PM Fico to lift veto on new Russia sanctions package

The latest conclusions from the upcoming EU summit add more detailed references to energy prices and the automotive sector, the two issues that Slovak PM Robert Fico had raised as condition for lifting his veto.

20/10/2025

Europe News

EU and Uzbekistan deepen cooperation under EPCA

Uzbekistan’s President will visit Brussels on 24 October 2025 to sign the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) with the EU. The deal marks a new phase in political, trade, and security cooperation, strengthening ties and supporting reforms and sustainable development.

17/10/2025

Europe News

As ceasefire begins, will the EU abandon its plans to sanction Israel?

The start of the peace process in the Middle East raises questions about the future of the EU proposals designed to sanction Israel.

14/10/2025

Europe News

Von der Leyen emerged 'strengthened' from motions of censure — for now

This week in Strasbourg, Ursula von der Leyen survived two more motions of censure in the European Parliament with even more support than in July. But the battle with the MEPs is far from over, and the credibility of the EU institutions has been damaged. What will happen next?

09/10/2025

Europe News

Von der Leyen survives far-right and far-left no-confidence motions

The two motions of censure, up for a vote Thursday, shared one key point of criticism: the lopsided terms of the EU-US trade deal.

09/10/2025

Europe News

High noon for von der Leyen as she faces Strasbourg standoff

The European Parliament votes Thursday whether to topple the European Commission, with several political groups split.

09/10/2025

Europe News

Russia is waging 'grey zone campaign' against Europe: von der Leyen

"Every square centimetre of our territory must be protected," Ursula von der Leyen told MEPs in Strasbourg on Wednesday after a string of Russian incursions into European airspace.

08/10/2025

Economy

European Commission wields protectionist powers to shield EU steel

EU tariffs on steel imports will be doubled to 50% beyond a reduced quota, compared to the volumes currently entering duty-free.

07/10/2025

Europe News

Votes of confidence: Which political groups will defend von der Leyen?

The European Commission is set to survive the two motions of censure to be voted on Thursday. But its support could shrink even more.

07/10/2025

Europe News

Don't fall for Putin's trap, von der Leyen says on motions of censure

"This is a trap. And we simply cannot fall for it," Ursula von der Leyen said as she battled two back-to-back motions of censure.

06/10/2025

Europe News

Von der Leyen faces two motions of censure as criticism persists

The votes of no confidence against Ursula von der Leyen have been tabled by the Patriots for Europe (PfE) and The Left, respectively.

06/10/2025

Europe News

EU leaders give 'broad support' for drone wall at Copenhagen summit

The European Commission will now fine tune a Roadmap for defence set to be released in two weeks, before leaders convene for another summit to make decisions.

01/10/2025

Europe News

Support grows for using Russian assets in €140 billion loan to Ukraine

The EU is working on a new plan to provide a "Reparations Loan" to Ukraine based on Russia's frozen assets. But key questions remain unanswered.

01/10/2025

Europe News

Mercosur deal: Von der Leyen probed for auto-deleting Macron's text

A text message sent by Emmanuel Macron to Ursula von der Leyen is at the centre of an investigation by the European Ombudsman.

24/09/2025

Europe News

EU to propose tariffs on Russian oil amid pressure from Trump

Putting tariffs on Russian oil will make it increasingly expensive for Hungary and Slovakia to maintain their energy ties with Moscow.

24/09/2025

EU Decoded

Can the EU overcome divergence over sanctions against Israel?

The President of the European Commission proposed punitive measures against Israel for the first time, due to the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. However, Ursula von der Leyen acknowledged that approving sanctions will be difficult, given the divisions among  EU member states.

23/09/2025