Page 2 - European Union

Between Trump snub and EU meet, Zelenskyy secures £2.26 billion for Ukraine

Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to the UK was markedly different from his tense encounter at the White House with US President Donald Trump

Friendless EU suddenly wants India's approval amid shifting global ties

Europe's leaders have correctly decided that they now need as many friends: Japan, the South Americans, India, the Gulf kingdoms as they can possibly cobble together

European leaders vow to support Ukraine after Oval Office clash with Trump

European leaders pledged late Friday to stand by Ukraine in the wake of the contentious Oval Office meeting between US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with their statements in support of their neighbour on the continent ensuring a deepening transatlantic rift. European leaders already were shaken by Vance's speech to the Munich Security Conference two weeks ago in which he lectured them about the state of their democracy. As prime ministers and presidents across the continent scrambled to respond, they have held a series of emergency summits to discuss security. Another major summit is scheduled for Sunday in London, hosted by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. More than a dozen European and EU leaders, including Zelenskyy, will gather for a meeting meant to drive forward action on Ukraine and security. The leaders' comments Friday largely did not mention Trump or Vance, but rather sought to assure Ukraine of their support as

India and EU decide to conclude free trade agreement by end of 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Friday issued directions to conclude an ambitious free trade agreement by end of this year as the two leaders vowed to expand India-EU strategic partnership in areas of defence, security and critical technology. In his media statement after talks with Von der Leyen, Modi described India-EU strategic partnership as "natural and organic" and one that it is based on "trust" and shared belief in democratic values. We have directed our teams to conclude a mutually beneficial bilateral free trade pact by the end of this year, he said, in a hugely significant decision that came amid growing global concerns over the Trump administration's policy on trade and tariff. The prime minister said both sides are also looking at forward movement on negotiations for an investment protection pact as well as an agreement on Geographical Indications. On connectivity, Modi said concrete steps will be taken to take ...

India, EU discuss ways to strengthen collaboration on climate change

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Friday met with EU commissioners Jessika Roswall and Wopke Hoekstra and discussed issues of mutual interest in the field of environment, forest and climate change. In a post on X, Yadav said they discussed opportunities to further strengthen the scientific and technical collaboration in fields of resource efficiency, circular economy and recycling of waste, including battery waste. Yadav told Roswall and Hoekstra that India is well on its path to achieving its updated nationally determined contributions (climate action plans). European Union President Ursula von der Leyen and her college of commissioners or senior political leaders of the bloc is on a two-day visit to India which began on Thursday.

Vigorously fight 25% US tariff: EU pushes back against Trump's threats

The European Union's executive branch said Thursday that the 27-nation bloc wasn't out to undermine the United States, as US President Donald Trump put it, but instead was the world's largest free market that has created an economic windfall for American companies working on and with the continent. The bloc also added it would vigorously fight a wholesale tariff of 25 per cent on all EU products headed for the US, as Trump has threatened in the latest round of vitriolic comments aimed at an age-old ally and economic partner. Thursday's EU pushback came after Trump told reporters that the European Union was formed in order to screw the United States. That's the purpose of it, and they've done a good job of it, adding it would stop immediately under his presidency. He said that the tariffs would be on cars and all other things. The moment the tariffs would be announced, the EU has said it would trigger tough countermeasures, on iconic US industries like bourbon, jeans and ...

European Commission Prez arrives in Delhi, says India is trusted friend

On her arrival, the President of the European Commission was accorded a warm and special welcome and was received by Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya S Patel

'India, EU to discuss preventing banned goods from going to Russia'

Kimmo Lähdevirta, Finland's ambassador to New Delhi, said Indian cos should not circumvent sanctions on providing Russia with items such as electronics that have commercial and military applications

India-EU trade talks: Tariffs, market access, regulatory clashes in focus

Talks for an India-EU free trade agreement, stalled for eight years, resumed in 2021, now cover investment protection and geographical indications.

EU signals no concession for India on CBAM, deforestation regulation

Calls some of India's concerns on carbon tax 'illegitimate'

US to announce EU tariffs very soon, says Trump at cabinet meeting

Trump said that US administration would soon be announcing tariffs on EU

EU pushes for tariff cuts on whiskey, wine, cars in India trade talks

The EU seeks lower tariffs as India's biggest FTA nears finalisation after nine rounds of talks, with the next set for March 10-14, boosting access for textiles, leather, and marine exports

EU seeks stronger commitment from India on reducing 'high' import tariffs

The discussion on the FTA will signal the 'broader political commitment' from both leaders and set the stage for the 10 round of negotiation in Brussels during 10-14 March, after a six months hiatus

US refuses to blame Russia for Ukraine war, splitting with European allies

In a dramatic shift in transatlantic relations under President Donald Trump, the United States split with its European allies by refusing to blame Russia for its invasion of Ukraine in votes on three UN resolutions Monday seeking an end to the three-year war. In the UN General Assembly, the US joined Russia in voting against a Europe-backed Ukrainian resolution that calls out Moscow's aggression and demands an immediate withdrawal of Russian troops. The US then abstained from voting on its own competing resolution after Europeans, led by France, succeeded in amending it to make clear Russia was the aggressor. The voting was taking place as Trump was hosting French President Emmanuel Macron in Washington. It was a major setback for the Trump administration in the 193-member world body, whose resolutions are not legally binding but are seen as a barometer of world opinion. The US then pushed for a vote on its original draft in the more powerful UN Security Council, where resolutions

Who is Friedrich Merz, Germany's conservative leader and next chancellor?

Friedrich Merz's party and its ally, the Christian Social Union, won 28.5 per cent in Germany's general election, defeating Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats

EU, Israel to revive discussions on Gaza's future, regional politics

Ahead of today's meeting, the European Union's 27 member countries negotiated a compromise position that praises areas of cooperation with Israel while also raising concerns

EU Commission prez, top Europe leadership to visit India from Feb 27-28

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen accompanied by the College of Commissioners will visit India next week, during which she is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the EU delegation said here on Friday. "The unprecedented visit, one of the first by the College of Commissioners early in the new mandate, highlights the strong momentum in EU-India relations," the Delegation of the European Union to India said in a statement. On February 27 and 28, President von der Leyen will visit New Delhi accompanied by the College of Commissioners, it said. "It follows President von der Leyen's announcement of a new strategic agenda with India to be presented this year at the EU-India Summit. The visit emphasises the importance of strengthening ties in key areas vital to the prosperity and security of both Europe and India," the statement said. During the visit, the College of Commissioners and the Indian government will hold a plenary ...

European troops, US support for Ukraine plan faces many challenges

As the US and Russia push ahead so far without Ukraine at the table on talks to end the war, political and military leaders in Europe are fleshing out details of a plan for European forces to help ensure Moscow does not attack again. After months of quiet discussions, the proposal has become increasingly public. It will likely be on the agenda when British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, two major backers of the idea, visit Washington on separate days next week for talks with President Donald Trump. Starmer, who will visit Thursday, has stressed that the force won't work without US military might to back it up. Persuading Trump to provide it could be a tall order. What is the plan? The security guarantee that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy really wants is NATO membership. European members of the military alliance still back that goal, but the US looks to have taken it off the table, along with Ukrainian hopes of regaining the fifth of its territor

Illegal immigration is the 'greatest threat' to Europe and US: JD Vance

For decades, the issue of illegal immigrants has been a major concern in the US, shaping political debates, influencing elections, and driving policy changes on border security

EU ready to discuss lower auto tariffs with US, says bloc's trade chief

The EU commissioner said the bloc will do its "utmost" to avoid an escalatory tariff clash