Europe News EU steps up support for Syrians but says hope is 'hanging by a thread' The bloc is pledging almost €2.5 billion in further support but says investments hinge on a 'credible' and 'inclusive' transition. 17/03/2025
Europe News More, better, European: White Paper maps path for EU rearmament Next week, the EU Commission will present the White Paper on the Future of European Defence, with guidelines on how to boost production and defence readiness in the face of possible Russian military aggression. 14/03/2025
Europe News EU targets Africa’s mineral wealth and green energy in new partnership EU to invest in critical raw materials processing in South Africa, and transport links to Democratic Republic of Congo, another key source of minerals essential to the energy and digital transitions. 13/03/2025
Europe News Von der Leyen to scope stronger trade ties with mineral rich Vietnam EU senior officials including Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are set to go on a scoping trip to intensify trade bonds with Vietnam five years after signing a free trade agreement with the south-east Asian country. 13/03/2025
Europe News European Parliament sidelined from new 'rearm Europe’ plan Some MEPs deplored the Commission's use of Article 122 of the Treaty to avoid a vote on the newly proposed €150 billion instrument for defence funding. Others are less concerned. 12/03/2025
Europe News Six takeaways as Ursula von der Leyen marks 100 days in office President Donald Trump's withdrawal of support for Ukraine has up-ended EU relations with the US in her first 100 days, and prompted pledges to ramp up defence spending. 09/03/2025
Europe News EU leaders' summit ends with Orbán vetoing conclusions on Ukraine While all EU leaders backed conclusions on bolstering European defence, the Hungarian prime minister opted out of the statements on the bloc's ongoing support to Kyiv. 06/03/2025
Europe News How can the EU unlock up to €800bn for its ‘rearmament plan’? The EU Commission has unveiled plans to borrow €150 billion to fund a major rearmament push. This joint borrowing proposal comes in the form of loans rather than grants—an idea largely rejected by so-called 'frugal' countries such as Germany and the Netherlands. 05/03/2025
Europe News Don't roll back electric in auto action plan, warns lobby Kristian Ruby, secretary-general of Eurelectric, acknowledged that while the electricity sector benefits from the EU’s electric agenda, it remains open to discussions with major car industry players. However, he emphasised the importance of avoiding any rollback of the agenda. 05/03/2025
Europe News Commission touts action plan for steel industry faced with US tariffs The Commission has pledged an action plan for the steel industry to be launched in mid-March, days after US President Donald Trump's threatened tariffs against the sector are slated to come into force, beckoning the onset of a trade war. 04/03/2025
Europe News Brussels insists US is 'an ally' after Trump halts aid to Ukraine Brussels has avoided criticising Washington for the suspension of military aid, which could have serious repercussions for Ukraine's fight against Russia. 04/03/2025
Europe News Commission pitches '€800bn' defence package ahead of leaders' summit EU leaders will gather in Brussels on Thursday for an extraordinary summit dedicated to defence and Ukraine. 04/03/2025
Europe News The Trump-Zelenskyy clash, seen from Ukraine Reactions from shocked European officials stacked onto social media over the weekend, following the heated exchange in front of TV cameras between Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump, with the German foreign minister calling it the start of a nefarious new era. 03/03/2025
Europe News EU must 'urgently' rearm and turn Ukraine into 'steel porcupine': VDL Ursula von der Leyen has called for "comprehensive" security guarantees for Ukraine that can deter future Russian aggression. 02/03/2025
Europe News Europe on the brink: US-Ukraine rift puts spotlight on continent Europe faces existential questions about its security future in the wake of the Oval office blow-up between presidents Zelenskyy and Trump. A summit in London tomorrow will be critical. 01/03/2025
Europe News Olaf Scholz to join key European leaders at London defence summit UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer has invited the outgoing German chancellor and other key leaders to a defence meeting in London on Sunday. 28/02/2025
Europe News Commission delivers first phase of ‘simplification’ drive All but the largest companies operating in the EU will be released from environmental reporting obligations and having to prove they are not trading indirectly with firms tainted by exploitation or human rights abuses. The EU executive insists this is not deregulation. 26/02/2025
Europe News The EU Commission's jetting to Delhi, but what's it looking for? India is a tough partner, but Ursula von der Leyen and her team are hoping for closer ties on three fronts: trade, technology and Ukraine. 26/02/2025
Europe News Deregulation row could overshadow EU’s flagship clean tech plan A massive document drop from the European Commission on Wednesday will be the clearest signal yet of how far the EU is prepared to change course on environmental protection, climate action and workers’ rights in pursuit of competitiveness. 25/02/2025
Europe News Foreign leaders arrive in Ukraine on war's third anniversary A dozen leaders from Europe and Canada were in Ukraine's capital Monday to show their support on the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. 24/02/2025