The EU is discussing further sanctions against Iran. The focus is on those responsible for the violent suppression of protests and a possible listing of the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization.
By Stephan Israel and Sara Sievert
The EU will now take out a loan via the Multiannual Financial Framework to finance Ukraine with €90 billion over the next two years. The initially preferred option of a reparations loan failed, not least because of the high guarantees demanded by Belgium.
By Stephan Israel
A decision on a possible reparations loan for Ukraine is set to dominate the EU summit in Brussels today, with the Mercosur free trade agreement also likely to be discussed. The future of the EU as a geopolitical heavyweight is riding on both issues.
By Stephan Israel
With the help of an emergency clause, a large majority of EU states have decided to place a long-term block on Russian state bank funds. This increases the likelihood of the Ukraine reparation loan, which could strengthen the EU’s role in the peace negotiations.
By Stephan Israel, János Allenbach-Ammann and Wilhelmine Stenglin
The EU states have found a way to block Russian state bank funds for the longer term. This improves the chances of the Ukraine reparation loan. An agreement at the summit here would be a prerequisite for the EU to be taken seriously in the US-led peace negotiations.
By Stephan Israel, János Allenbach-Ammann and Wilhelmine Stenglin
The Chinese telecom equipment supplier ZTE could settle a long-standing corruption case in the USA out of court. The company is to pay a fine of over one billion US dollars to avoid the threat of sanctions.
By Julia Fiedler
The EU Commission has presented its legislative proposals for financing Ukraine. In them, it has complemented its preferred option of a reparations loan using frozen Russian assets with additional guarantees and a new legal basis. However, Belgium remains opposed.
By János Allenbach-Ammann and Stephan Israel
For the first time, the Brussels-based authority has set a timeframe for phasing out Russian nuclear fuels. Dependence is to be ended in the early 2030s at the latest, while a ban on oil and gas imports is planned to take effect from as early as 2028.
By Manuel Berkel
EU foreign ministers decided on Thursday to impose sanctions against Abdelrahim Hamdan Dagalo, the deputy commander of the Sudanese RSF militia. Those responsible for atrocities must not go unpunished, said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas.
By Stephan Israel
Kaja Kallas commented calmly on the reports about an alleged US-Russian peace plan for Ukraine. This could not work as long as Ukraine and Europe were not involved. The EU would continue to pursue its own plan.
By Viktor Funk, Stephan Israel and Denis Trubetskoy
