EU agrees to launch membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova
European Union member states have agreed to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, in a move that formally launches the next stage of the two countries' long path towards possible EU membership. The decision was taken by ambassadors from the bloc's 27 nations at a meeting in Brussels, with an intergovernmental conference due to be held on Monday in Luxembourg. That meeting is expected to open key negotiation clusters, marking the start of detailed talks on the conditions for joining the bloc.EU Council president Antonio Costa and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the decision recognised the... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 12 Jun 2026 20:32 LONDON
Sponsored
Jordan Bardella visit to Brussels draws protests over migration politics
French National Rally leader Jordan Bardella has visited Brussels to strengthen ties with the Flemish nationalist party Vlaams Belang. He spoke at the Flemish Parliament, where he called for closer cooperation between like-minded parties on migration and asylum policy. The event also drew several hundred protesters outside the parliament building.According to the supplied material, Bardella used the visit to argue that coordinated action could help reshape decision-making across the European Union. He praised a decade-long alliance with Vlaams Belang and welcomed proposed EU measures that could allow asylum claims to be processed outside Europe and speed up deportations. Supporters were... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 12 Jun 2026 10:00 LONDON
Hundreds of former European officials urge EU to suspend Israel trade access
More than 460 former European political figures have called on the European Union to take tougher action against Israel over its military operations in Gaza and the West Bank. The appeal was set out in an editorial published ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg next week and an EU summit in Brussels. The signatories include former Irish taoiseach Leo Varadkar, former tánaiste Eamon Gilmore and former president of the European Parliament Pat Cox.The group said the EU should suspend Israel's preferential trade access under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. It argued that such a move would affect... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 10 Jun 2026 06:33 LONDON
EU proposes new sanctions package targeting Russian soldiers, banks and oil revenues
The European Commission has proposed a fresh sanctions package against Russia that would, for the first time, bar anyone who has served in the Russian armed forces since the start of the war from entering the European Union. The measures also target banks, crypto firms, shadow-fleet vessels and Kremlin oil revenues. The proposal was announced in Brussels on Tuesday and now needs unanimous approval from the EU's 27 member states.European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc was seeking to make Europe "off limit" for anyone who had taken part in the invasion of Ukraine. She said the... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 09 Jun 2026 17:00 LONDON
Sponsored
EU set to adopt 21st sanctions package against Russia as alumina row continues
The European Commission is expected to adopt its 21st sanctions package against Russia on Tuesday, in the latest round of measures linked to Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Member states will then have several weeks to review the package before it becomes law. The draft is also expected to leave out Aughinish Alumina, the refinery in County Limerick that has become the focus of controversy over increased exports of alumina to Russia.The package is being prepared more than four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to the information available, the Commission has decided not to include... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 09 Jun 2026 07:04 LONDON
EU to discuss Aughinish Alumina and Russia-linked alumina exports with Irish leader
The European Commission says its foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, will discuss Aughinish Alumina and alumina exports to Russia when she meets Ireland's Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, in Dublin on Tuesday. The issue was raised publicly at a Commission briefing as part of a wider conversation about support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia. Officials said the matter would be addressed as a concern in its own right.A Commission spokesperson said several topics would be discussed at the meeting, including Ukraine and further pressure on Russia. Asked whether alumina could feature in the next EU sanctions package, another spokesperson declined to... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 08 Jun 2026 12:05 LONDON
Armenia votes in election that could shape shift between Russia and Europe
Armenians are voting in a national election that could determine whether the country continues moving closer to Europe or returns to a more pro-Russian course. The vote is taking place across Armenia, with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's Civil Contract party entering as the favourite. The result is being closely watched in Moscow, Brussels and Washington because it could affect Armenia's foreign policy and regional security posture.The main contest is between Pashinyan and opposition forces that favour closer ties with Russia. Among the challengers is Samvel Karapetyan, a Russian-Armenian billionaire who built much of his wealth in Russia and is campaigning... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 07 Jun 2026 11:33 LONDON
Armenia parliamentary elections draw close scrutiny from Russia, the US and the EU
Armenia's parliamentary elections are being closely watched in Moscow, Washington and Brussels as voters prepare to choose a new legislature. The contest is being framed as a test of the country's direction between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and parties that favour closer ties with Russia. The vote has become a focal point for outside powers because of Armenia's geopolitical position and the competing interests involved.The available reporting says Russia, the United States and the European Union all have interests at stake as geopolitics takes centre stage. It also says voters will choose between Mr Pashinyan, who is backed by United... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 06 Jun 2026 20:00 LONDON
Sponsored
