Latest news with #SpecialEuropeanCouncil
Euronews
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
From Ukraine to migration - four European Parliament debates to follow
Military aid to Ukraine, migrant returns and reduction of bureaucracy on the table for MEPs. ADVERTISEMENT Amid growing tensions between Europe and the US, and between two crucial summits of EU leaders on defence, MEPs are heading to Strasbourg for a plenary session packed with controversial debates. Here is a selection of the most interesting topics to follow. Military aid to Ukraine On Wednesday, March 12, MEPs will vote on a resolution urging the EU to maintain its support for Ukraine, even if the United States withdraws its backing. The resolution, which is non-legislative, also focuses on European contributions to the security guarantees needed to ensure peace in Ukraine after the war—an issue on which EU Member States remain deeply divided. Beyond this vote, several debates related to the Russian war in Ukraine are scheduled. On Tuesday morning, MEPs will assess the outcome of the March 6 Special European Council, while in the afternoon, discussions will centre on the upcoming white paper on the future of European defence, set to be unveiled soon by the Commission. Wednesday's agenda includes two debates: one on the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine and another on the phase-out of Russian energy in EU countries. While resolutions in favour of Ukraine generally receive broad support in the chamber, debates on the topic remain nuanced. 'We are completely against deploying European troops in Ukraine,' a spokesperson for the Patriots for Europe group said during a press conference. Return of migrants On Tuesday, March 11, the European Commission is set to present the so-called 'Return Directive' in Strasbourg—a new legal framework aimed at speeding up processes for repatriating rejected asylum seekers to their countries of origin. On the same day, MEPs will give a first assessment of the proposal, which seeks to increase the return rate of third-country nationals who are not entitled to stay in the EU. Currently, only about one in four foreign nationals ordered to leave an EU member state is actually deported. A source familiar with the matter told Euronews that the Commission's proposal will not include discussion of 'return hubs'- centres outside the EU where migrants would be hosted while awaiting repatriation. The idea has been circulating after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen raised the issue. However, the debate is expected to be tense, with radical right-wing parties calling for swifter procedures and stricter policies to combat irregular migration, while left-leaning groups emphasise the need to uphold migrants' fundamental rights. Reducing bureaucracy at a faster pace On Monday, March 10, Parliament will discuss the so-called 'Omnibus Package', a recent Commission proposal aimed at cutting red tape and simplifying legislation for EU businesses and citizens. Last week, the European People's Party (EPP), the largest group in the chamber, sent a letter to the Parliament President Roberta Metsola—seen by Euronews—requesting a fast-track procedure. The EPP's goal is to quickly approve a specific part of the package, the so-called 'Stop the Clock' proposal, which seeks to postpone certain requirements on corporate sustainability and due diligence reporting. Metsola will announce the EPP's request at the session's opening, and the vote will take place in the next plenary session in April. However, the debate is expected to be heated, as the Socialists & Democrats (S&D) and Renew Europe are in no hurry to approve the new rules. A possible outcome could be an alliance between the EPP and the right-wing groups European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) and Patriots for Europe (PfE)—a coalition sometimes referred to as the "Venezuela Majority." Cross-border recognition of parenthood On Wednesday, March 12, Parliament will debate a European Commission proposal to ensure that parenthood established in one EU member state is automatically recognised in all the others. However, the issue remains contentious due to concerns about children born via surrogacy and those of same-sex couples. Since surrogacy and same-sex unions are regulated differently across member states, some governments resist being required to recognize parenthood established under the laws of another country. ADVERTISEMENT As a result, an estimated two million children risk having their parents' legal status downgraded when they move to another EU country, according to Commission data. The proposal requires unanimous approval by the Council, but its not yet there. MEPs will press Council and Commission representatives in the chamber to explain why.
Euronews
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
From Ukraine to migration - four European Parliament debates to follow this week
Military aid to Ukraine, migrant returns and reduction of bureaucracy on the table for MEPs. ADVERTISEMENT Amid growing tensions between Europe and the US, and between two crucial summits of EU leaders on defence, MEPs are heading to Strasbourg for a plenary session packed with controversial debates. Here is a selection of the most interesting topics to follow. Military aid to Ukraine On Wednesday, March 12, MEPs will vote on a resolution urging the EU to maintain its support for Ukraine, even if the United States withdraws its backing. The resolution, which is non-legislative, also focuses on European contributions to the security guarantees needed to ensure peace in Ukraine after the war—an issue on which EU Member States remain deeply divided. Beyond this vote, several debates related to the Russian war in Ukraine are scheduled. On Tuesday morning, MEPs will assess the outcome of the March 6 Special European Council, while in the afternoon, discussions will centre on the upcoming white paper on the future of European defence, set to be unveiled soon by the Commission. Wednesday's agenda includes two debates: one on the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine and another on the phase-out of Russian energy in EU countries. While resolutions in favour of Ukraine generally receive broad support in the chamber, debates on the topic remain nuanced. 'We are completely against deploying European troops in Ukraine,' a spokesperson for the Patriots for Europe group said during a press conference. Return of migrants On Tuesday, March 11, the European Commission is set to present the so-called 'Return Directive' in Strasbourg—a new legal framework aimed at speeding up processes for repatriating rejected asylum seekers to their countries of origin. On the same day, MEPs will give a first assessment of the proposal, which seeks to increase the return rate of third-country nationals who are not entitled to stay in the EU. Currently, only about one in four foreign nationals ordered to leave an EU member state is actually deported. A source familiar with the matter told Euronews that the Commission's proposal will not include discussion of 'return hubs'- centres outside the EU where migrants would be hosted while awaiting repatriation. The idea has been circulating after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen raised the issue. However, the debate is expected to be tense, with radical right-wing parties calling for swifter procedures and stricter policies to combat irregular migration, while left-leaning groups emphasise the need to uphold migrants' fundamental rights. Reducing bureaucracy at a faster pace On Monday, March 10, Parliament will discuss the so-called 'Omnibus Package', a recent Commission proposal aimed at cutting red tape and simplifying legislation for EU businesses and citizens. Last week, the European People's Party (EPP), the largest group in the chamber, sent a letter to the Parliament President Roberta Metsola—seen by Euronews—requesting a fast-track procedure. The EPP's goal is to quickly approve a specific part of the package, the so-called 'Stop the Clock' proposal, which seeks to postpone certain requirements on corporate sustainability and due diligence reporting. Metsola will announce the EPP's request at the session's opening, and the vote will take place in the next plenary session in April. However, the debate is expected to be heated, as the Socialists & Democrats (S&D) and Renew Europe are in no hurry to approve the new rules. A possible outcome could be an alliance between the EPP and the right-wing groups European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) and Patriots for Europe (PfE)—a coalition sometimes referred to as the "Venezuela Majority." Cross-border recognition of parenthood On Wednesday, March 12, Parliament will debate a European Commission proposal to ensure that parenthood established in one EU member state is automatically recognised in all the others. However, the issue remains contentious due to concerns about children born via surrogacy and those of same-sex couples. Since surrogacy and same-sex unions are regulated differently across member states, some governments resist being required to recognize parenthood established under the laws of another country. ADVERTISEMENT As a result, an estimated two million children risk having their parents' legal status downgraded when they move to another EU country, according to Commission data. The proposal requires unanimous approval by the Council, but its not yet there. MEPs will press Council and Commission representatives in the chamber to explain why.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine, US delegations to meet next week, Zelensky announces
Key developments on March 6: Ukraine, US delegations to meet next week, Zelensky announces Istanbul talks can't serve as basis for Ukraine-Russia peace deal, Kellogg says European air forces could protect Ukraine from Russian aerial strikes, experts suggest Ukraine working on alternatives to US intelligence, defense minister says US intelligence sharing pause affects Russian aerial strikes warnings, NYT reports Ukraine and U.S. delegations have resumed work and are scheduled to meet next week, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced at the Special European Council on March 6. "Ukraine is not only ready to take the necessary steps for peace, but we are also proposing what those steps are," Zelensky said, expressing hope for a "meaningful" dialogue with U.S. officials. Senior White House Fox News Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich wrote on X that the talks are set for March 11 and will involve Andriy Yermak, Zelensky's chief of staff. The U.S. delegation will reportedly include U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. "The idea is to get down a framework for a peace agreement and an initial ceasefire as well," Witkoff later said outside the White House. He added that discussions are ongoing to finalize the meeting's location, with Riyadh or Jeddah under consideration. According to Axios, the meeting will take place on March 12. The announcement follows rising tensions between Kyiv and Washington after a heated Oval Office exchange between Zelensky, Trump, and U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Feb. 28. The dispute derailed a planned bilateral deal on Ukraine's natural resources and led to Trump freezing all military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. An agreement on Ukraine's mineral resources remains stalled as Trump seeks a "bigger, better deal," CBS News reported on March 4. White House officials publicly indicated that Zelensky must issue an apology and demonstrate a commitment to peace talks for discussions to resume. On March 4, Zelensky called the White House clash "regrettable" and reaffirmed his willingness to work toward peace under Trump's "strong leadership." Waltz suggested on March 5 that Trump may lift the pause on military aid once peace negotiations are arranged and confidence-building measures are taken, Reuters reported. Read also: Regardless of Trump's Ukraine peace deal, war with West is 'foundational to Putin's rule,' experts say The Istanbul talks can't serve as the basis for a Ukraine-Russia peace deal, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, said on March 6. "The Istanbul accords happened 30 days after the invasion, and the demands in Istanbul were fairly significant on a very weakened Ukraine," Kellogg said at the Council on Foreign Relations discussion. He described the agreements as a starting point for future negotiations but doubted they represented a fair framework for all parties. The Istanbul agreements refer to negotiations between Ukraine and Russia held in Turkey in late March 2022, which outlined potential terms for a peace deal. They included Ukraine adopting a neutral status, abandoning NATO aspirations, imposing military restrictions, and delaying negotiations over Russian-occupied Crimea's status for 10-15 years. Trump's envoy emphasized that conditions today differ significantly from those in 2022. He also noted that the Trump administration aims to reset U.S.-Russia relations, criticizing previous U.S. leadership for avoiding direct engagement with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Kellogg's remarks follow U.S.-Russian talks in Istanbul on Feb. 27 and an earlier round in Riyadh on Feb. 18, which are part of Washington's push for a swift peace settlement. Trump expressed interest in meeting Putin, marking a stark departure from his predecessor, U.S. President Joe Biden, who had refused to engage with the Russian leader since the full-scale invasion began. Earlier, U.S. envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff suggested that the 2022 Istanbul agreements could serve as a foundation for a future Ukraine-Russia peace treaty. Despite his role as Trump's special envoy, Kellogg has been sidelined in recent peace efforts and excluded from both the Saudi and Turkish negotiations. Analysts suggest this may be due to his perceived pro-Ukraine stance and alleged Russian objections to his involvement. Read also: 'The war continues because of Russia' – Zelensky's full speech at European Council Military experts proposed to deploy European air forces to protect Kyiv and other non-front-line Ukrainian cities from Russian aerial attacks, the Guardian reported on March 6, citing the so-called Sky Shield plan. The plan could potentially work as part of the "truce in the sky" proposed by President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this week, preventing missiles, long-range drones, and bombs from targeting civilian infrastructure. The project's supporters said it could be a European-led air defense zone involving 120 fighter jets that will operate separately from NATO. According to the plan, developed by former British Air Force planners in cooperation with Ukraine's Armed Forces, the protection zone would cover Ukraine's three operational nuclear power plants, as well as the cities of Odesa and Lviv in Ukraine's south and west. The country's east, where the fierce battles are , was not included in the zone. According to the authors, this step can be more tangible than the deployment of ground troops as peacekeepers. In February, the Washington Post reported that up to 30,000 European troops could be deployed in Ukraine after a potential ceasefire. Among those who supported the Sky Shield plan are Philip Breedlove, former NATO supreme commander in Europe, Polish ex-President Aleksander Kwasniewski, and Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuania's former foreign minister. European defense ministries have considered the plan, but their leaders have been reluctant to authorize patrolling Ukrainian skies while Russia's full-scale war is ongoing, the Guardian wrote. In light of the U.S. policy shift and suspension of military aid to Ukraine, the initiative can be revisited, the news outlet noted. Yet, Western partners still fear an escalation if an aircraft from either side is attacked or shot down. Russian forces regularly launch drones and missiles against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, inflicting heavy civilian casualties. A Russian missile strike against a hotel in Kryvyi Rih late on March 5, carried out shortly after the U.S. paused vital intelligence sharing, killed four people and injured over 30. According to figures released by Kyiv, U.N. statistics, and open-source data published by BBC Russia, the total death toll of Ukrainian and Russian soldiers, as well as Ukrainian civilians, stood at over 148,000 as of mid-February. Read also: Trump's alignment with Russia derails Europe's push for a peacekeeping force in Ukraine Ukraine has not yet received detailed information on U.S. intelligence-sharing restrictions but is already exploring alternatives, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said on March 6, Interfax-Ukraine reported. "We are already working on alternatives, including requesting (assistance) from Germany if necessary," Umerov said at a press conference in Berlin, following talks with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. Washington cut off intelligence-sharing with Kyiv on March 5, following its decision to freeze all military aid to Ukraine as part of an effort to end Russia's war in Ukraine on U.S. terms. The intelligence cutoff threatens Ukraine's ability to track Russian military movements and detect aerial strikes against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. Reports suggest the U.S. may have also prohibited allies like the U.K. from passing on intelligence obtained through American sources. U.S. officials have indicated the pause could be temporary and contingent on progress toward peace talks. France has continued to provide military intelligence to Ukraine, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on March 6, according to BFM TV. European leaders are expected to discuss additional support for Ukraine and increased defense spending at an EU summit in Brussels on March 6. President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Brussels for the emergency meeting, which was convened to address Europe's security strategy amid growing concerns over Washington's shifting foreign policy. Read also: 'He betrayed every one of us' – US soldiers in Ukraine speak out after Trump's military aid halt The U.S. pause on sharing intelligence with Kyiv affects warnings against Russian drones and missiles striking Ukrainian military and civilian targets, the New York Times reported on March 5, citing undisclosed U.S. and Ukrainian officials. The U.S. stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine on March 5, shortly after it froze all military assistance as part of an effort to pressure Kyiv into quick negotiations with Russia on U.S. terms. Russian forces regularly launch drones and missiles against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, inflicting heavy civilian casualties. A Russian missile strike against a hotel in Kryvyi Rih late on March 5, carried out shortly after the intelligence sharing pause, killed four people and injured at least 30. According to figures released by Kyiv, U.N. statistics, and open-source data published by BBC Russia, the total death toll of Ukrainian and Russian soldiers, as well as Ukrainian civilians, stood at over 148,000 as of mid-February. A senior Ukrainian official told the NYT that the pause in intelligence sharing would make it more difficult for Ukrainian forces to strike Russian targets. Kyiv still has access to other satellite imagery, they added. Valerii Kondratiuk, the former Ukraine's spy chief, said that intelligence sharing primarily involves the exchange of satellite images. While European companies have their own satellites, they are not focused on military movements, he added. Some unnamed U.S. officials voiced hope that any pause in intelligence sharing would be short and have little practical impact. A senior Trump administration official told the NYT the original plan was to suspend military and intelligence sharing for a week or two as part of a campaign to put pressure on President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to the NYT, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has a "sizable presence" in Ukraine, with some of its officers deployed in the country to help Ukraine with targeting. The CIA has also helped set up at least three secret signals intelligence collection bases that Ukraine uses to intercept Russian communications to reduce their reliance on U.S. intelligence, the newspaper reported. Ukraine War Latest is put together by the Kyiv Independent news desk team, who keep you informed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you value our work and want to ensure we have the resources to continue, join the Kyiv Independent community. We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'The war continues because of Russia' – Zelensky's full speech at European Council
Editor's note: This is the transcript of President Volodymyr Zelensky's address to the Special European Council released by the President's Office on March 6. President Costa! President von der Leyen! Dear colleagues, glad to see you all. I've already spoken to many of you these days and weeks, and I am grateful for your support. Ukrainians really appreciate that in a time of such great emotions in global politics, European integrity is preserved, and Europe is really trying to do the right thing. First. I want to inform all of you that our teams – Ukraine and America – have resumed work. We hope that next week we will have a meaningful meeting. Ukraine has been seeking peace since the very first second of the war, and we have always said that the only reason why the war continues is because of Russia. Ukraine is not only ready to take the necessary steps for peace, but we are also proposing what those steps are. And I ask you to support us in this – support Ukraine and those European leaders who are helping to pave the way for peace. We see several steps now. Everyone needs to make sure that Russia, as the sole source of this war, accepts the need to end it. This can be proved by two forms of silence that are easy to establish and monitor, namely, no attacks on energy and other civilian infrastructure – truce for missiles, bombs, and long-range drones, and the second is truce on the water, meaning no military operations in the Black Sea. The next step is basic trust to the circumstances in which the negotiations are taking place. Ukrainians, all Europeans, Americans, every human heart in the world that does not agree with the war – we all need to feel that the Russians are not deceiving us. The release of prisoners can be a means of establishing basic trust. And this should be based on the understanding that any truce and any form of trust building measures can only be a prologue to a full and fair settlement, to a comprehensive agreement on security guarantees and an end to the war. Let me emphasize once again that Ukrainians do really want peace, but not at the cost of giving up Ukraine. Is Russia capable of giving up the war – this is the question that any negotiations must answer. Read also: Trump's alignment with Russia derails Europe's push for a peacekeeping force in Ukraine And please be sure that Ukraine will share all the details of peace plans and talks' process to all of Europe, every European nation that helps must be on board on the path to peace. Second. I urge you to continue to support the position that any issues related to Ukraine's security should be resolved with Ukraine's participation, just as any issues related to the security of your nations or any issues related to the security of our entire Europe should be resolved with your participation. Only this can guarantee peace on the continent and respect for the interests of all European states. That is why we are trying to ensure that European interests are represented. Anything that affects the security of Europe should be resolved with the participation of Europe. Third. I thank you for your determination to help us defend Ukraine. Every day and every night we have to protect lives. Russian ballistic missiles continue to strike our cities. The shelling at the front continues. Russian sabotage groups are still trying to enter our territory across the border in Sumy and Kharkiv regions. Moscow is not reducing its investment in death, increasing its army, and making no pauses in trying to overcome sanctions. Russia now has 220 brigades with war experience. In five years, they will bring this number to 300. We need to respond to this by taking care of lives now, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. I welcome the European Commission's efforts to re-arm Europe and the Rearm Europe Plan is the right initiative. The defense funds under this European Plan should strengthen all parts of Europe, and I call for a significant part to be allocated to arms production in Ukraine – our industrial capabilities are the fastest and most relevant to the current security threats. Read also: Trump lifting US sanctions on Russia would be 'huge win' for Putin, 'chaos' for global economy I welcome the efforts of my European colleagues – and this is not just about the EU, but about Europe in a broad sense – to increase national defense spending and modernize national armies. Everyone in Europe needs this. When we agree on the format of the Armed Forces of Europe, this format will rely on the strength of national armies and on the experience of deploying partner contingents in Ukraine, which is what we are now working on. I also welcome the investments of all partners in the defense industry – in Ukraine and in your countries, the industrial base of Europe must grow. Europe should become the place where the most technologically advanced and effective weapons in the world are produced, and this is not a fantasy if Europeans really set themselves this goal. And a few more things. I'm grateful to you for the 16th EU sanctions package, and we must continue this pressure. We need a 17th sanctions package. The sanctions should work until Russia stops the occupation. I know that a special European financial instrument for Ukraine's resilience is being developed, please speed up this work. In all these circumstances, it is needed to speed up the work of our teams in the negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the EU. As of now, the work on clusters is actually blocked without any rational reason. We need common sense, we need to unblock the work on clusters, and this can be done at the leadership been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
