Europe Live

Ursula von der Leyen soll sich später mit dem neuen ungarischen Regierungschef treffen, der die Freigabe von EU-Mitteln im Gegenzug für Reformen anstrebt. • Von der Leyen erklärt, dass „jeder Mitgliedstaat einen anderen Energiemix hat“ und daher keine pauschale EU-Lösung funktionieren würde. • Sie fordert jedoch mehr Koordination, nicht nur bei der gemeinsamen Beschaffung, sondern auch bei den Kraftstoffreserven, „insbesondere bei Kerosin und Diesel, wo sich die Märkte verknappen“. • „Lassen Sie uns dies nutzen, um den Wechsel zur Elektrizität zu vollziehen – nicht nur im Verkehr, sondern auch in der Industrie und im Heizen. Dies ist nicht nur eine Frage der Bezahlbarkeit und Wettbewerbsfähigkeit; es ist auch eine Frage der wirtschaftlichen Sicherheit. Wenn wir über europäische Unabhängigkeit sprechen, ist dies der Moment, Europa zu elektrifizieren.“ • „Dies ist die zweite Energiekrise innerhalb von vier Jahren, und die Lehre sollte sehr deutlich sein. Unsere Überabhängigkeit von importierten fossilen Brennstoffen macht uns verwundbar. … Wir müssen unsere Überabhängigkeit von importierten fossilen Brennstoffen reduzieren und unsere heimische, erschwingliche und saubere Energieversorgung ausbauen. Von Erneuerbaren Energien bis hin zur Kernenergie, unter voller Wahrung der Technologieneutralität.“ Weiterlesen...

France’s president, who is also co-prince of the micro-state, expected to speak frankly about issue in country with some of strictest abortion laws in EuropeMeanwhile, Macron is visiting the Andorran primary school in Santa Coloma and absolutely loving spending his time with kids, happily posing to pictures with the Andorran flags.Last week, he suggested he would quit politics at the end of his term in May next year, and so we should expect to see more of this sort of legacy-building trips and interventions as he enters the final year in office. Continue reading...

Across country, more than 10 people have been injured as Ukrainian prime minister Julia Svyrydenko prepares to visit PolandAnother night of Russian drone attacks on Ukraine overnight left more than 10 people injured, particularly damaging residential buildings in the Odesa region.The strikes caused the biggest damage in the central Prymorskyi district, where residential buildings, a hotel and facilities in the center of the city were damaged, Serhiy Lysak, the head of the local military administration, said on Telegram in comments reported by Reuters. Continue reading...

Move comes after Hungary and Slovakia dropped opposition following reopening of the Druzhba oil pipelineEU leaders are set to meet in Cyprus this evening to discuss the latest on the Middle East and the next EU budget, starting in 2028.But it looks like they will have a bit of a detour – and a reason to celebrate, too – as the long-awaited €90bn loan for Ukraine and the 20th package of sanctions against Russia are on course to be unblocked after four months of delays caused by Hungary’s Viktor Orbán. Continue reading...

Member states meet this morning to discuss loan after longstanding disagreement between Kyiv and outgoing Hungarian PM Viktor OrbánAfter four months of very public disagreements between Ukraine and Hungary, today could be the day when the EU finally signs off (for the second time) on the critical €90bn loan for Kyiv.Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed yesterday that the Druzhba pipeline, carrying Russian oil imports to Hungary and Slovakia, has been repaired and is ready to be used again. EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said yesterday she expected “a positive decision” within the next 24 hours. Continue reading...

Representatives from EU countries are meeting in Luxembourg todayJust as expected.Spain’s foreign minister José Manuel Albares has just confirmed that Spain, Slovenia and Ireland have requested a discussion on suspending the EU’s association treaty with Israel at today’s meeting of the bloc’s foreign ministers.“European Union has to say today very clearly to Israel that that change is needed. That’s not the right path, and that while Israel continues in that path of a permanent perpetual war, we will not be able to [run our relations] in the same way.” Continue reading...

Former president looks likely to take power following eighth election in five yearsBulgarian ex-president Rumen Radev – an EU critic who has called for renewing ties with Russia – on Sunday hailed a “victory of hope” after his formation topped the eighth parliamentary elections in five years.Projections from polling agencies put his Progressive Bulgaria (PB) grouping at 44%, which would give him an absolute majority of at least 129 seats in the 240-seat parliament. Continue reading...

Ukrainian president says nearly 700 Russian drones and 19 ballistic missiles mostly targeted Kyiv, Odesa and DniproUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia “does not deserve any easing … or lifting on sanctions” after an overnight attack killed 16 and wounded 100 people in Ukraine.He said:“Russia is betting on war, and the response must be exactly that: we must defend lives with all available means, and we must also apply pressure for the sake of peace with the same full force.”There can be no normalisation of Russia as it is today. Pressure on Russia must work. Continue reading...