Earlier Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that its elite 98th division had “concluded its mission” and would pull back in order to “recuperate.” Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip along the border with Egypt, had been designated as a safe zone for civilians fleeing widespread destruction in densely-inhabited areas further north. … Read more
“We will make investments to strengthen Armenia’s economy and society, making them more robust and stable in the face of shocks,” she added, with funds being allocated for electrification and new renewable energy projects. The move comes as Armenia works to cut ties with its former ally, Russia, which owns much of its energy network … Read more
Although there’s a diplomatic reshuffle every year, this time was more complicated than usual because of the EU election, officials said. By the fall, the EU will (hopefully) have decided who will lead the European Commission, Council, Parliament, and European External Action Service (EEAS). But first, this week the Commission is set to sign off … Read more
The two sanctioned entities are the prisons where Navalny was kept in custody for years after he returned to Russia in 2021, after surviving an apparent assassination attempt. The EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime was used to enact the measures. It now lists 104 people and 24 entities from different countries, including China, Eritrea … Read more
Along with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, Belgium’s De Croo — who faces elections in June — is among Europe’s most outspoken supporters of the Palestinian cause, a credential he repeatedly touted on the first day of his Mideast trip. “Belgium has a very clear position. We are part … Read more
The end result will still mean billions of euros worth of weapons are sent to Ukraine — some of them directly by donors, whereas if countries give less they’ll have to actually pay into the fund. Bilateral arms shipments to Ukraine will be discounted from cash contributions to the fund at a level of around … Read more
While calling for an impartial international investigation on the case, Borrell stressed that “the responsibility for this incident lays on the restrictions imposed by the Israeli army and obstructions by violent extremists to the supply of humanitarian aid.” On Friday, several EU leaders condemned the killing of 115 Palestinians who were trying to get food … Read more
He called on countries to support Ukraine by any means possible, including “digging further into your stock, where possible; placing orders by procuring on your own or – preferably – jointly from the European industry; buying ammunition immediately available on the market; or financing Ukrainian industry.” In recent weeks, political gridlock in Washington has led … Read more
Not so dynamic duo Beyond fear, diplomats and experts pointed to the dynamic between Scholz and Biden as a driving force behind the West’s overriding strategy of incrementalism and escalation management, rather than a focus on strategic outcomes, in dealing with Ukraine. Despite a 16-year age difference, both men came of age politically during the … Read more
PARIS — France wants an “independent and thorough investigation” into the circumstances surrounding the death of Russian opponent figure Alexei Navalny, the country’s foreign affairs ministry said in a statement released Tuesday. “France holds Russian authorities fully responsible for Alexei Navalny’s death,” the statement reads. The Russian ambassador in France was summoned on Monday in … Read more
