Latest news with #Weimar+"
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Italian FM slams Israeli assault on Gaza, warns against forced displacement
Italy's Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani speaks to the press following talks of the "Weimar+" group focused on Ukraine and the future of European security at Lancaster House in London, on May 12, 2025. Photo: Reuters/ File Israel's continued assault on the Gaza Strip has become unacceptable and must stop immediately, Italy's foreign minister said on Wednesday, warning against any move to forcibly displace Palestinians from the enclave. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani spoke to parliament about the situation in Gaza amid mounting Western criticism of Israel, which invaded the Palestinian territory after the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas on its southern communities. "The legitimate reaction of the Israeli government to a terrible and senseless act of terrorism is unfortunately taking absolutely dramatic and unacceptable forms, which we call on Israel to stop immediately," Tajani told parliament. Italy has been a vocal supporter of Israel but there has been growing unease within the right-wing coalition government over the relentless and long-running military campaign. In all, more than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's air and ground war, Gaza health authorities say. "The bombing must end, humanitarian assistance must resume as soon as possible, respect for international humanitarian law must be restored," Tajani told a heated debate in the lower house of parliament. On Gaza, the government has come under attack from the opposition parties which have announced a demonstration in Rome on June 7, demanding sanctions against Israel and that Italy formally recognises the State of Palestine. "The levels of political, moral and intellectual squalor that all of you, Italian and European ruling classes, are reaching, will condemn you as those who are complicit in extermination, genocide and inhuman crime," said Riccardo Ricciardi, a lawmaker from the 5-Star Movement. Tajani said a Palestinian state could still be created following negotiations involving Israel, and Italy wanted to keep a dialogue open with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. But he reiterated that Italy was against displacing Palestinians from Gaza, an option US President Donald Trump proposed earlier this year and which was swiftly rejected by Arab countries. "The expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza is not and will never be an acceptable option," Tajani said. He reiterated that Italy might be prepared to take part in an eventual Arab-led peacekeeping mission in Gaza.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
UK hosts European ministers for Ukraine talks amid ceasefire call
The UK on Monday hosted European ministers for "critical" talks on "repelling Russian aggression", after Ukraine's allies demanded that Moscow accept a ceasefire. Ministers from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the EU joined Foreign Secretary David Lammy in London for a meeting of the so-called "Weimar+" group. The coalition was set up in February in response to shifting US policy towards the war between Ukraine and Russia, and European security in general, under President Donald Trump. The meeting follows Saturday's visit by the leaders of France, Germany, Poland and the UK to Kyiv, where they called for Russia to agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire to allow for peace talks -- a proposal they said was backed by Washington. The EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas renewed the calls for a ceasefire on Monday. "If there is no ceasefire there cannot be talks under fire," she said in London, accusing Russia of "playing games". "It takes two to want peace. It takes only one to want war. And we see that Russia clearly wants war," she added. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday proposed direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15, but did not respond to the European call for a 30-day ceasefire. Lammy said it was time for "Putin to get serious about peace in Europe, to get serious about a ceasefire, and to get serious about talks". The Ukrainian air force said Russia had fired more than 100 drones overnight, despite the calls for a ceasefire to start on Monday. "From 11:00 pm on May 11, the enemy attacked with 108 Shaheds and other types of drones," the air force said, adding that "as of 08:30 am, 55 drones were confirmed downed". - 'Existential' challenge - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky offered to meet Putin personally in Turkey, but did not say whether he would still attend if Russia refused the European ceasefire proposal. Trump said direct talks were needed to determine whether peace was possible. "President Putin of Russia doesn't want to have a Cease Fire Agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the BLOODBATH," he wrote on his Truth Social platform. "Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY. At least they will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible, and if it is not, European leaders, and the U.S., will know where everything stands, and can proceed accordingly." The London meeting, where Lammy is expected to announce further sanctions targeting those backing Russia's invasion, will be the sixth gathering of the Weimar+ group and the first hosted by the UK. The talks would cover "repelling Russian aggression and bolstering European security", said the UK Foreign Office. They will focus on "both our joint efforts to strengthen European security and securing a just and lasting peace for Ukraine", it added. Lammy was joined by his German, Spanish and Polish counterparts, while France was represented by its minister for Europe Benjamin Haddad. European leaders are "facing a once-in-a-generation moment for the collective security of our continent", Lammy said ahead of the talks. "The challenge we face today is not only about the future of Ukraine -– it is existential for Europe as a whole." - Ceasefire plan - European leaders have reacted with scepticism to Putin's proposal for direct talks in Istanbul, with French President Emmanuel Macron warning that he was merely trying "to buy time". "An unconditional ceasefire is not preceded by negotiations, by definition," he told reporters as he returned to Poland from the meeting in Ukraine. He reiterated his position later Sunday, insisting on the "necessity for a ceasefire" before talks between Putin and Zelensky. In a phone call with Lammy on Sunday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington's "top priority remains bringing an end to the fighting and an immediate ceasefire", State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said. jwp-lcm-bur/jkb/js
France 24
12-05-2025
- Politics
- France 24
UK hosts European ministers for Ukraine talks amid ceasefire call
Ministers from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the EU joined Foreign Secretary David Lammy in London for a meeting of the so-called "Weimar+" group. The coalition was set up in February in response to shifting US policy towards the war between Ukraine and Russia, and European security in general, under President Donald Trump. The meeting follows Saturday's visit by the leaders of France, Germany, Poland and the UK to Kyiv, where they called for Russia to agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire to allow for peace talks -- a proposal they said was backed by Washington. The EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas renewed the calls for a ceasefire on Monday. "If there is no ceasefire there cannot be talks under fire," she said in London, accusing Russia of "playing games". "It takes two to want peace. It takes only one to want war. And we see that Russia clearly wants war," she added. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday proposed direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15, but did not respond to the European call for a 30-day ceasefire. Lammy said it was time for "Putin to get serious about peace in Europe, to get serious about a ceasefire, and to get serious about talks". The Ukrainian air force said Russia had fired more than 100 drones overnight, despite the calls for a ceasefire to start on Monday. "From 11:00 pm on May 11, the enemy attacked with 108 Shaheds and other types of drones," the air force said, adding that "as of 08:30 am, 55 drones were confirmed downed". 'Existential' challenge Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky offered to meet Putin personally in Turkey, but did not say whether he would still attend if Russia refused the European ceasefire proposal. Trump said direct talks were needed to determine whether peace was possible. "President Putin of Russia doesn't want to have a Cease Fire Agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the BLOODBATH," he wrote on his Truth Social platform. "Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY. At least they will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible, and if it is not, European leaders, and the U.S., will know where everything stands, and can proceed accordingly." The London meeting, where Lammy is expected to announce further sanctions targeting those backing Russia's invasion, will be the sixth gathering of the Weimar+ group and the first hosted by the UK. The talks would cover "repelling Russian aggression and bolstering European security", said the UK Foreign Office. They will focus on "both our joint efforts to strengthen European security and securing a just and lasting peace for Ukraine", it added. Lammy was joined by his German, Spanish and Polish counterparts, while France was represented by its minister for Europe Benjamin Haddad. European leaders are "facing a once-in-a-generation moment for the collective security of our continent", Lammy said ahead of the talks. "The challenge we face today is not only about the future of Ukraine -– it is existential for Europe as a whole." Ceasefire plan European leaders have reacted with scepticism to Putin's proposal for direct talks in Istanbul, with French President Emmanuel Macron warning that he was merely trying "to buy time". "An unconditional ceasefire is not preceded by negotiations, by definition," he told reporters as he returned to Poland from the meeting in Ukraine. He reiterated his position later Sunday, insisting on the "necessity for a ceasefire" before talks between Putin and Zelensky. In a phone call with Lammy on Sunday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington's "top priority remains bringing an end to the fighting and an immediate ceasefire", State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said.
Int'l Business Times
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
UK Hosts European Ministers For Ukraine Talks Amid Ceasefire Call
The UK on Monday hosted European ministers for "critical" talks on "repelling Russian aggression", after Ukraine's allies demanded that Moscow accept a ceasefire. Ministers from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the EU joined Foreign Secretary David Lammy in London for a meeting of the so-called "Weimar+" group. The coalition was set up in February in response to shifting US policy towards the war between Ukraine and Russia, and European security in general, under President Donald Trump. The meeting follows Saturday's visit by the leaders of France, Germany, Poland and the UK to Kyiv, where they called for Russia to agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire to allow for peace talks -- a proposal they said was backed by Washington. The EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas renewed the calls for a ceasefire on Monday. "If there is no ceasefire there cannot be talks under fire," she said in London, accusing Russia of "playing games". "It takes two to want peace. It takes only one to want war. And we see that Russia clearly wants war," she added. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday proposed direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15, but did not respond to the European call for a 30-day ceasefire. Lammy said it was time for "Putin to get serious about peace in Europe, to get serious about a ceasefire, and to get serious about talks". The Ukrainian air force said Russia had fired more than 100 drones overnight, despite the calls for a ceasefire to start on Monday. "From 11:00 pm on May 11, the enemy attacked with 108 Shaheds and other types of drones," the air force said, adding that "as of 08:30 am, 55 drones were confirmed downed". Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky offered to meet Putin personally in Turkey, but did not say whether he would still attend if Russia refused the European ceasefire proposal. Trump said direct talks were needed to determine whether peace was possible. "President Putin of Russia doesn't want to have a Cease Fire Agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the BLOODBATH," he wrote on his Truth Social platform. "Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY. At least they will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible, and if it is not, European leaders, and the U.S., will know where everything stands, and can proceed accordingly." The London meeting, where Lammy is expected to announce further sanctions targeting those backing Russia's invasion, will be the sixth gathering of the Weimar+ group and the first hosted by the UK. The talks would cover "repelling Russian aggression and bolstering European security", said the UK Foreign Office. They will focus on "both our joint efforts to strengthen European security and securing a just and lasting peace for Ukraine", it added. Lammy was joined by his German, Spanish and Polish counterparts, while France was represented by its minister for Europe Benjamin Haddad. European leaders are "facing a once-in-a-generation moment for the collective security of our continent", Lammy said ahead of the talks. "The challenge we face today is not only about the future of Ukraine -- it is existential for Europe as a whole." European leaders have reacted with scepticism to Putin's proposal for direct talks in Istanbul, with French President Emmanuel Macron warning that he was merely trying "to buy time". "An unconditional ceasefire is not preceded by negotiations, by definition," he told reporters as he returned to Poland from the meeting in Ukraine. He reiterated his position later Sunday, insisting on the "necessity for a ceasefire" before talks between Putin and Zelensky. In a phone call with Lammy on Sunday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington's "top priority remains bringing an end to the fighting and an immediate ceasefire", State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said. EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas accused Russia of 'playing games' AFP British Foreign Secretary David Lammy hosted the talks AFP
RTÉ News
12-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
UK to host EU ministers for 'critical' Ukraine talks
The UK will host European ministers today for "critical" talks on "repelling Russian aggression", two days after Ukraine's allies demanded that Russia accept a ceasefire. Representatives from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the EU will join Foreign Secretary David Lammy in London for a meeting of the so-called "Weimar+" group. The coalition was set up in February in response to shifting US policy towards the war between Ukraine and Russia, and European security in general, under US President Donald Trump. Mr Lammy is expected to announce further sanctions targeting those backing Russia's invasion, his ministry said. The meeting follows Saturday's visit by the leaders of France, Germany, Poland and the UK to Ukraine. During the visit, the leaders - joined by the United States - called for Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire to allow for peace talks. This is the sixth meeting of the Weimar+ group and the first hosted by the UK. The talks will cover "repelling Russian aggression and bolstering European security", said the UK Foreign Office. They will focus on "both our joint efforts to strengthen European security and securing a just and lasting peace for Ukraine", it added. Mr Lammy will be joined by his German, Spanish and Polish counterparts, while France will be represented by its minister for Europe Benjamin Haddad. The EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas will also attend. 'Existential' challenge European leaders are "facing a once-in-a-generation moment for the collective security of our continent", said Mr Lammy. "The challenge we face today is not only about the future of Ukraine - it is existential for Europe as a whole," he said ahead of the talks. "I have brought our friends and partners to London to make clear that we must stand together, allied in our protection of sovereignty, of peace and of Ukraine," he added. Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday proposed direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on 15 May. He did not respond to the European call for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting from today. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he would be prepared to meet Mr Putin in Turkey, but did not say whether he would still attend if Russia refused the 30-day ceasefire proposal. French President Emmanuel Macron warned that Mr Putin was merely trying "to buy time". "An unconditional ceasefire is not preceded by negotiations, by definition," he told reporters as he stepped off a train in the Polish city of Przemysl on his return from Ukraine. He reiterated his position in a statement from the Elysee, insisting on "necessity for a ceasefire" before talks between Mr Putin and Mr Zelensky. The European leaders, together with Mr Zelensky, had pressed Russia in the Kyiv meeting on Saturday to accept the unconditional ceasefire, threatening Russia with new sanctions if it did not comply. The United States and other countries back the proposal, they said. Ukraine and its allies had feared that Mr Trump was pivoting towards Russia because he had clashed with Mr Zelensky. But President Trump has recently expressed growing impatience with Mr Putin.
