Iceland is a member of the European Economic Area and part of the Schengen free travel zone, so it already has many of the EU’s laws on its books. As a result, “it will not be so complicated for us” and “would be rather a quick process” to conclude negotiations to join the bloc, assuming […]
Continue ReadingUkraine has money until May Kyiv’s funding needs have eased after the International Monetary Fund approved an $8.1 billion loan late last month, disbursing $1.5 billion straight away. The country should have enough money to stay solvent until early May, four people familiar with Kyiv’s finances told POLITICO. Previous EU estimates had indicated Kyiv would […]
Continue ReadingThe ISW assessed that Moscow may now need to abandon or substantially revise its planned operations in Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, or both. At the same time, Russia is still pressuring Ukraine elsewhere. Asked Tuesday about increased Russian activity near the Sumy border region in northeastern Ukraine, Zelenskyy told reporters via a WhatsApp chat that Moscow still […]
Continue ReadingMerz has often walked a diplomatic tightrope when it comes to Israel. Germany traditionally treats Israel’s security as part of its Staatsräson — fundamental to the former’s core interests and identity — a principle famously articulated by former Chancellor Angela Merkel that leaves German leaders little room to publicly challenge Israeli policy. Yet the war […]
Continue ReadingThe commissioners warned that if Russia is allowed to participate, they “will examine further action, including the suspension or termination of an ongoing EU grant to the Biennale Foundation,” which organizes the event. Italy’s Ministry of Culture said it opposed the festival’s decision, which was celebrated by Mikhail Shvydkoy, the Kremlin’s special representative for international […]
Continue ReadingA U.S. official denied a claim from Energy Secretary Chris Wright in a now-deleted social media post Tuesday that the U.S. Navy escorted an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz. Wright’s post, which has since been deleted, did not provide details about the tanker or where it was headed. DOE and the Pentagon did […]
Continue Reading“Italy is very worried about the impact on inflation because of the inefficient energy mix we have,” said one Italian official, who was granted anonymity to speak openly. For that reason, the official added, it’s “better to bring forward actions to avoid inflation … and you cannot spend money in a pre-electoral year.” Italy wants […]
Continue ReadingBRUSSELS — The head of the International Energy Agency on Tuesday summoned an extraordinary meeting to decide whether to tap millions of barrels of emergency oil supplies amid soaring energy costs. The meeting, to be held at an undisclosed time on Tuesday, will “assess the current security of supply and market conditions to inform a subsequent […]
Continue ReadingLONDON — The U.K. has appointed Caroline Wilson as its new chief diplomat to the EU institutions in Brussels. POLITICO reported last September that the former ambassador to China was set to lead London’s mission to the EU from late summer 2026. The Foreign Office confirmed on Tuesday that she will succeed Lindsay Croisdale-Appleby, who […]
Continue ReadingGovernments and lobby groups in Italy, Ireland and Hungary are raising concerns over the continuing near-standstill in maritime freight transport in the Strait of Hormuz as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran escalates. The strait, a major international waterway for oil, gas and fertilizers, has been a no-go zone for a week now, after Iran retaliated […]
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