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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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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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Russia to upgrade Armenia's air force

Russia to upgrade Armenia's air force

In the meantime in Baku Azerbaijani officials have expressed disquiet at what they say has been a serious Russian military build-up of Armenian forces since the clashes on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border in July.
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Lavrov snubs OSCE efforts to mediate in the Belarus crisis

Lavrov snubs OSCE efforts to mediate in the Belarus crisis

In a telephone conversation on Thursday (20 August) the Russian Foreign Minister told the Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE that "it was necessary to give the Belarusians a chance to resolve their issues themselves without interference".
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EU tiptoes into Belarus crisis

EU tiptoes into Belarus crisis

EU Council president Charles Michel spoke to president Putin on Thursday (20 August), informing him of the EU's position agreed yesterday by the leaders of the 27 member states.
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Was this Lukashenko's "Ceucescu moment"?

Was this Lukashenko's "Ceucescu moment"?

On a visit to the MZKT Tractor factory on Monday Lukashenko expected to be cheered. Instead he was jeered, bringing back images of the fall of the Romanian dictator in 1989.
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Editorial
Editorial: Belarus awakens

Editorial: Belarus awakens

Lukashenko promised stability but delivered stagnation. Defying fear, the people of Belarus now see hope and their aspirations must be respected