Region

EU plus

Stories in this section cover the EU-27 countries plus the UK, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Andorra and the Balkan Countries (Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia).

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Syria and Israel in direct talks focused on security

Syria and Israel in direct talks focused on security

Israel and Syria are in direct contact and have in recent weeks held face-to-face meetings aimed at calming tensions and preventing conflict in the border region between the two longtime foes, according to an exclusive Reuters report. The contacts mark a significant development in ties between states that have been on opposite sides of conflict in the Middle East for decades, as the U.S. encourages the new Islamist rulers in Damascus to establish relations with Israel and Israel eases its bombardment of Syria.
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News
Russia, Ukraine complete record prisoner exchange amidst Russian barrage of drones against Ukraine

Russia, Ukraine complete record prisoner exchange amidst Russian barrage of drones against Ukraine

Russia announced on Sunday it had exchanged another 303 Ukrainian prisoners of war for the same number of Russian soldiers held by Kyiv, the last phase of the largest-ever such swap between the warring countries. Russia and Ukraine have over three days "carried out the exchange of 1,000 people for 1,000 people", the defence ministry said. Meanwhile,  US President Donald Trump called his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin "crazy" on Sunday after Moscow launched a deadly barrage of drones against Ukraine.

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Editor's choice
News
Syria and Israel in direct talks focused on security

Syria and Israel in direct talks focused on security

Israel and Syria are in direct contact and have in recent weeks held face-to-face meetings aimed at calming tensions and preventing conflict in the border region between the two longtime foes, according to an exclusive Reuters report. The contacts mark a significant development in ties between states that have been on opposite sides of conflict in the Middle East for decades, as the U.S. encourages the new Islamist rulers in Damascus to establish relations with Israel and Israel eases its bombardment of Syria.
Editor's choice
News
Russia, Ukraine complete record prisoner exchange amidst Russian barrage of drones against Ukraine

Russia, Ukraine complete record prisoner exchange amidst Russian barrage of drones against Ukraine

Russia announced on Sunday it had exchanged another 303 Ukrainian prisoners of war for the same number of Russian soldiers held by Kyiv, the last phase of the largest-ever such swap between the warring countries. Russia and Ukraine have over three days "carried out the exchange of 1,000 people for 1,000 people", the defence ministry said. Meanwhile,  US President Donald Trump called his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin "crazy" on Sunday after Moscow launched a deadly barrage of drones against Ukraine.
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Monday Commentary
The tragedy in Gaza will haunt the West for a long time to come

The tragedy in Gaza will haunt the West for a long time to come

In the last few days, the EU and the UK took the first public steps to censure Israel for its actions in Gaza. It was done ever so gently that one could not be blamed for not noticing, but politically it was a seismic step taken after much consideration and soul-searching, and it will have long-term implications. But for many, it is too little, too late. Gaza is a tragedy that the West has been unable to prevent. It will haunt the West, particularly Europe for a long time to come.
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News
Trump recommends 50% tariff on the European Union, starting 1st June

Trump recommends 50% tariff on the European Union, starting 1st June

US President Donald Trump on Friday said he is “recommending a straight 50% Tariff on the European Union” after complaining that trade negotiations have stalled. The steep new import duties would start on 1st June, Trump wrote on Truth Social. The EU “has been very difficult to deal with,” Trump wrote. “Our discussions with them are going nowhere!”
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Opinion
Opinion: Europe’s Super Sunday: Romania’s Surprise, Tight Poland Vote, Far-Right Surge in Portugal

Opinion: Europe’s Super Sunday: Romania’s Surprise, Tight Poland Vote, Far-Right Surge in Portugal

Sunday (18 May) marked a key electoral date in Europe with Romania holding its presidential runoff, and Poland and Portugal voting in the first round of presidential and parliamentary elections, respectively. The results underscored the current political landscape of Europe marked by both the resilience of pro-European Union (EU) forces and the rising influence of right-wing populist movements. This surge of right-wing populism is not a new phenomenon, but part of a trend building over the past 15 years. Sunday's vote should serve as a wake-up call: Europe can no longer afford to hit the snooze button on the rise of right-wing populism.
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News
UK pauses trade talks and EU reviews relations as pressure grows on Israel to stop siege on Gaza

UK pauses trade talks and EU reviews relations as pressure grows on Israel to stop siege on Gaza

International pressure is mounting on Israel amid its renewed military operation in the Gaza strip, as both the United Kingdom and the European Union announced measures distancing themselves from the country on Tuesday. The United Kingdom paused trade negotiations with Israel and sanctioned West Bank settlers, as Britain’s top diplomat slammed Israel’s operation in Gaza as “morally unjustifiable” and “wholly disproportionate.” Meanwhile, the European Union announced that it would review its relationship with Israel, with the EU’s foreign policy chief calling the situation on the ground in Gaza “catastrophic.”
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News
EU countries finalise €150 billion loan to rearm against Russia

EU countries finalise €150 billion loan to rearm against Russia

European Union countries have finalised a plan for a €150billion loan programme to help rearm in the face of Russia and worries over US reliability, diplomats said on Monday. The SAFE borrowing scheme backed by the EU's central budget was proposed by Brussels in March as the bloc rushes to boost its defences following disengagement from European security by the United States.  The finalisation comes as the EU and the UK agree a new defence partnership as part of a post-Brexit "reset" at a London summit. 
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News
Centrist Nicusor Dan wins presidential election in Romania

Centrist Nicusor Dan wins presidential election in Romania

Romania’s presidential candidate Nicușor Dan won the country’s presidential election on Sunday, defeating his nationalist rival George Simion. With all votes counted, the centrist candidate won nearly 54% of the ballots cast, a clear win over Simion, a supporter of US President Donald Trump. Simion, who opposes providing military aid to Ukraine and is critical of the EU, looked on track to win the election after he swept the first round on 4 May. However, Dan gained ground after a televised debate with Simion.
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News
Russia and Ukraine agree prisoner exchange but no progress made in peace talks

Russia and Ukraine agree prisoner exchange but no progress made in peace talks

Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a large-scale prisoner exchange but failed to reach a breakthrough during their first direct peace talks since 2022, held in Istanbul without either Vladimir Putin or Volodymyr Zelensky. Sitting down under pressure from the US president, Donald Trump, Ukraine had pushed for a 30-day ceasefire before the talks. Moscow rejected this, appearing to stick to its maximalist demands, including sweeping restrictions on Ukrainian sovereignty.