Contents tagged with EU
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EU seeks strategic resource partnership with Ukraine amid US negotiation strains
In a significant move, the European Union has proposed a deal to Ukraine for access to its "critical" resources, EU Commissioner for Industrial Strategy, Stephan Sejourne, announced on Monday, February 24. Sejourne indicated that "21 out of 30 critical materials needed by Europe can be supplied by Ukraine as part of a mutually beneficial partnership," though he did not specify which resources were under consideration.
During his visit to Kyiv on February 24, Sejourne presented this proposal to …
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EU sanctions derail Russia's plan to employ foreign airlines for domestic flights
Russia's attempt to counter a sharp increase in airline ticket prices has hit a major roadblock. The European Union's newly imposed, 16th sanctions package has blocked one of Moscow's crucial strategies—engaging foreign carriers for domestic flights. As a result, any negotiations for what's termed "cabotage" appear virtually out of reach. This development was reported by the Russian outlet Agentstvo.
The restrictions, introduced on the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, ban any …
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EU announces comprehensive 16th sanction package against Russia on Ukraine war anniversary
In a major development marking three years since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, the European Union has announced its 16th sanction package against Russia, as detailed in a press release from the EU Council. This new wave of sanctions targets 48 individuals and 35 entities, deemed responsible for actions that compromise or threaten Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence .
Furthermore, the package includes restrictions on 74 tankers from Russia's shadow fleet, …
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Kyiv: EU's continued support for Ukraine - €134 billion in aid and humanitarian initiatives for 2024
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the European Union, along with its member states, has supplied Ukraine with over €134 billion in economic, humanitarian, and military aid, according to the press office of Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration.
The office highlighted that in 2024, the EU endorsed the creation of a €50 billion Ukraine Facility, out of which €16 billion has already been allocated. The EU also adapted the regulations for utilizing …
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EU approves 16th sanctions package against Russia: targeting banks, media, and 'shadow fleet'
EU nations have greenlit a new wave of sanctions against Russia amid its ongoing military invasion of Ukraine. This marks the 16th sanctions package, set to take effect on February 24, 2025, coinciding with the third anniversary of Russia’s all-out war against Ukraine, according to Poland, the current holder of the EU Council presidency.
This latest round introduces more stringent measures: 13 additional Russian banks are set to be cut off from the SWIFT system. Furthermore, eight Russian …
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Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov dismisses European role in Ukraine peace talks
In a recent statement, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov remarked that European countries have "no business" being involved in peace negotiations regarding Ukraine, as their aim might be to freeze the conflict to rearm Kyiv.
Lavrov recalled the words of former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who reportedly stated that the 2014 Minsk agreements were an attempt to grant Ukraine time to strengthen itself. "Today, Ukraine is not the Ukraine of 2014/15," Merkel had said in December 2022. …
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EU plans new sanctions targeting key sectors of Russian economy
As the EU ramps up for its 16th sanctions package against Russia, officials are eyeing restrictions on 50 categories of Russian goods, aligning with the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, said EU Special Representative for Sanctions David O'Sullivan during an interview with Kazakh media, Kazinform.
O'Sullivan noted that these additional trade restrictions would affect 50 product codes previously highlighted for Kazakhstan's attention. Currently, about 60% of past …
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EU's top diplomat warns of potential Russian aggression by 2028, urges increased defense spending
In a stark warning, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, cautioned that Russia might launch military aggression against an EU country as early as 2028. Speaking at the European Defence Agency’s (EDA) annual conference in Brussels on January 22, Kallas stated, "Many of our national intelligence services report that Russia may test our defense readiness in 3-5 years."
While she did not disclose specific details of the Kremlin's potential aggression plans, …
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Ukraine urges EU to reduce refugee aid as Kyiv pushes for return of citizens amid wartime challenges
In a significant move by Ukrainian authorities, there is a call for European Union countries to cut back on aid to Ukrainian refugees, as Kyiv seeks to restrict consular services for Ukrainian men of conscription age living abroad. The strategy aims to encourage the return of citizens amid ongoing challenges domestically, as reported by Spanish newspaper El Pais. It's estimated that between 6 million and 10 million Ukrainians reside overseas, with Kyiv eager to see a fraction of them repatriate. …
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Zelensky secures defense and diplomatic commitments for Ukraine in Brussels talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held talks with European counterparts on enhancing Ukraine's air defense systems to better protect cities and critical infrastructure.
During discussions in Brussels, President Zelensky underscored Ukraine's determination to strengthen its defense capabilities and readiness for diplomacy next year. The meeting with European leaders and officials aimed at bolstering Ukraine's positions both on the battlefield and diplomatically, as highlighted by the press …