The European Green Party urged EU leaders to hold an emergency summit to bolster climate protections and the Green Deal amid a record-breaking heatwave. They highlighted the public health crisis posed by extreme heat and called for strengthened emission reduction efforts.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is urging Chancellor Friedrich Merz to back European Council President Antonio Costa's proposal to establish communication channels with Russia. AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla called on Merz to show leadership by initiating a change in course and supporting Costa's diplomatic outreach.
Polish PM Donald Tusk stated the EU avoids asking Russia for negotiations on Ukraine due to fear of appearing weak. He opposed France and Germany leading talks, amid reports of EU leaders confronting Council President Costa over alleged contacts with Moscow.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the European Commission's proposed long-term budget (2028-2034) as "far too high" and called for a new proposal. EU leaders in Brussels also discussed support for Ukraine, including military aid and fast-track membership, and global economic challenges, agreeing to extend sanctions on Russia for 12 months.
EU leaders adopted a unanimous 18-point statement on Ukraine, the first since 2023, largely reiterating existing demands on Russia and commitments to Kyiv. The statement includes pledges for funds, weapons, and political backing, alongside plans for further sanctions against Russia and a call for an immediate ceasefire.
EU leaders met for a two-day summit focusing on Ukraine support, the EU's next long-term budget, and global economic challenges. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy urged fast-track EU membership. Bulgaria threatened to veto sanctions on Russia over Lukoil. Leaders expressed skepticism about immediate peace talks with Russia.
EU leaders met in Brussels to discuss support for Ukraine, including the opening of negotiation clusters for accession. They also addressed the EU's significant trade deficit with China and planned for the next long-term budget (2028-2034).
EU leaders convene in Brussels to tackle a packed agenda including Ukraine, the Middle East, the bloc's budget, China's economic influence, migration, defense, and narcotics. Key discussions will focus on trade practices with China, revamping the single market, and the €2 trillion long-term budget amid internal disagreements.
An event will discuss the outcomes of the EU summit on June 18-19 in Brussels and the current situation in EU and NATO countries amid global events. Media accreditation is required via [email protected].
EU leaders to discuss opening accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, strengthening defense capabilities, and the bloc's multi-year budget. Ukraine's President Zelensky will address the summit via video link.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz outlined Germany's reform agenda, focusing on health, pensions, defense, labor, energy, taxes, bureaucracy, and investment. He urged parliament to support the proposals aimed at boosting growth and adapting to global challenges.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will deliver a government statement to parliament on reforms and the upcoming EU summit. Talks with unions and employers on labor market, social security, and bureaucracy reforms were constructive but yielded no decisions. The EU summit will focus on Ukraine and the bloc's long-term budget.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a 'social media delay' for children in Europe, with an expert panel due to set out steps by July. Several countries already consider or have implemented age-based bans, and EU plans aim to tighten child safety online under the Digital Services Act.
Keir Starmer is attending a European Political Community summit in Yerevan, Armenia, where he announced UK plans to join the EU's €90bn (£78bn) loan for Ukraine. The loan, previously blocked by Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán, will provide military support for Ukraine and give British defence firms access to major contracts. The move is part of Starmer's efforts to improve post-Brexit UK-EU relations ahead of a summer summit.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Greek leaders call for delaying Covid-19 debt repayment and issuing more EU bonds during Macron's visit to Athens. The €1.8 trillion EU budget negotiations are described as "extremely difficult" by Italian PM Giorgia Meloni at the EU summit in Cyprus, where leaders also discussed Ukraine, defense, and tensions with Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán.
It's an "extremely difficult negotiation," says Italian PM Giorgia Meloni at EU summit in Cyprus.
From talks on Ukraine and defense to clever kids and digs at Viktor Orbán, here's POLITICO's rundown of the latest European Council.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk joked at an EU summit in Cyprus that there is "huge relief" among leaders because "for the first time in years, there are no Russians in the room" — winking at journalists as Kremlin-friendly Slovak PM Robert Fico walked past. Tusk quickly clarified it was a joke. The comment came after Viktor Orbán's election defeat last week, which diplomats say has created a "totally new mood" in EU meetings, with frozen dossiers on sanctions, enlargement and Ukraine aid now expected to move forward. The bloc's 20th round of sanctions against Moscow entered force after Budapest and Bratislava dropped their vetoes.
Reza Pahlavi, exiled son of Iran's last shah, visited Berlin on Thursday to urge German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to abandon diplomatic talks with Tehran, as European leaders prepared a crisis summit in Cyprus focused on the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran now entering its eighth week. The German government refused to meet with Pahlavi, with Chancellor Merz's spokesperson stating the Iranian regime remains the point of contact. The visit sparked controversy among German politicians and the Iranian diaspora, with critics noting Pahlavi's failure to distance himself from his father's repressive pre-1979 rule.
