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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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European leaders set out their plan for Ukraine

European leaders set out their plan for Ukraine

The leaders of Germany, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and United Kingdom, together with the President of the European Council, and the President of the European Commission, o  Monday (15 December) issued a statement, outlining their plan for Ukraine. In their statement, Chancellor Merz, Prime Minister Frederiksen, President Stubb, President Macron, Prime Minister Meloni, Prime Minister Schoof, Prime Minister Støre, Prime Minister Tusk, Prime Minister Kristersson, Prime Minister Starmer, as well as President Costa and President von der Leyen spoke about "Peace for Ukraine". The Leaders welcomed significant progress on President Trump’s efforts to secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. They also welcomed the close work between President Zelenskyy’s and President Trump’s teams as well as European teams over the recent days and weeks. They agreed to work together with President Trump and President Zelenskyy to get to a lasting peace which preserves Ukrainian sovereignty and European security. Leaders appreciated the strong convergence between the United States, Ukraine and Europe. Leaders agreed that ensuring the security, sovereignty, and prosperity of Ukraine was integral for wider Euro-Atlantic security. They were clear that Ukraine and its people deserved a prosperous, independent, and sovereign future, free from fear of future Russian aggression. Both the US and European leaders committed to work together to provide robust security guarantees and economic recovery support measures for Ukraine in the context of an agreement on ending the war. This would include commitments to: Provide sustained and significant support to Ukraine to build its armed forces, which should remain at a peacetime level of 800,000 to be able to deter conflict and defend Ukraine’s territory. A European-led ‘multinational force Ukraine’ made up from contributions from willing nations within the framework of the Coalition of the Willing and supported by the US. It will assist in the regeneration of Ukraine’s forces, in securing Ukraine’s skies, and in supporting safer seas, including through operating inside Ukraine. (Click the image to read the statement in full).

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Editor's choice
News
Does your dog bite?

Does your dog bite?

How are our four-legged friends affected during the pandemic? William Murray has some useful advice.
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Live blog
Live Blog - 13 April 2020

Live Blog - 13 April 2020

News of deaths across the world leave us all sad and sorrowful. Russia in the last twenty four hours reported 2558 new cases of covid-19. But stories of how the human spirit is fighting on from one end of the world to another, fill us with hope.
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Live blog
Live Blog - 12 April 2020

Live Blog - 12 April 2020

This Easter Sunday political and religious leaders issued messages urging courage and resilience as the world continues to struggle against the coronavirus pandemic. In Rome, Pope Francis made a passionate appeal calling for a cease-fire in all conflict areas, and for countries to work together to fight the pandemic and more.
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News
How is your Esperanto?

How is your Esperanto?

William Murray argues that expanding our linguistic horizons is not as daunting as we might think.
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Live blog
Live Blog - 11 April 2020

Live Blog - 11 April 2020

The number of deaths from coronavirus is now 103,506. In many countries celebrating Easter this weekend governments are struggling to keep their populations at home. In many war-torn regions fighting is still preventing medical teams from doing their jobs to fight covid-19
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Live blog
Live Blog - 10 April 2020

Live Blog - 10 April 2020

Today is Good Friday and the start of the Easter festival in many Christian communities. Most religious events have however been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic