EU leaders vow sanctions over Putin's recognition of breakaway Ukraine regions

EU leaders vow sanctions over Putin's recognition of breakaway Ukraine regions

Leaders from the European Union and the United Kingdom vowed Monday to impose sanctions over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to recognize two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine as independent. In a letter statementsEuropean Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said they “condemn in the strongest possible terms the … Read more

Von der Leyen: Europe's winter will be fine without Russian gas

Von der Leyen: Europe's winter will be fine without Russian gas

Europe can survive this winter despite Russian energy giant Gazprom “deliberately” reducing gas supplies, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Saturday. “Even in case of full disruption of gas supply from Russia, we are on the safe side for this winter,” von der Leyen told the Munich Security Conference, noting that Brussels has … Read more

European Union scrambles to patch up relations at Africa summit

European Union scrambles to patch up relations at Africa summit

Press play to listen to this article It is not easy to pinpoint the nadir of the EU’s great pivot to Africa. The shift in Europe’s focus was trumped with great fanfare by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Charles Michel at the start of their mandates in December 2019. But the … Read more

Vaccine access puts EU and Africa at odds ahead of summit

Vaccine access puts EU and Africa at odds ahead of summit

Press play to listen to this article Europe’s refusal to share COVID-19 vaccine technology threatens to overshadow a major gathering of European and African leaders this week. Europe wants to use the meeting — which has been delayed by 16 months due to the pandemic — to advance relations on several fronts, including trade and … Read more

Why Germany pipes down when talk turns to Nord Stream 2 sanctions

Why Germany pipes down when talk turns to Nord Stream 2 sanctions

Press play to listen to this article To many of Germany’s allies, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s refusal to state plainly what appears obvious — that Russia would lose a new gas pipeline to Germany if it invades Ukraine — is utterly baffling. Even some within his own governing coalition are flummoxed. “There is no reasonable explanation … Read more