All articles tagged with #eu diplomacy
Austria’s chancellor Christian Stocker calls on the EU to push ahead with talks with Putin, arguing diplomacy can end the Ukraine war and highlighting Brussels’ new channels to Moscow; he favors substantive negotiation over who speaks for Europe, signals Austria’s shift away from strict neutrality as it joins a pro-Kyiv observer coalition, and stresses that Putin must take the first step.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas responded to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s threat to sever contact over reports she compared Israel to apartheid, saying she values dialogue and that the EU remains committed to a two-state solution; Sa’ar demanded a denial if the remarks were false. The piece provides political context on EU-Israel relations and notes the ongoing Gaza conflict and UN support for two states.
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel says the EU should do more to leverage its diplomatic clout to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, arguing that military support must be complemented by a unified EU diplomatic effort. She noted her 2021 proposal for an EU–Russia talks format was blocked by bloc divisions and emphasized that credible negotiators must hold real political power. German Chancellor Merz said an EU-wide envoy isn’t planned for now and discussions are ongoing, with no official request having been made to Merkel about taking on such a role in the Minsk context.
Exiled Iranian prince Reza Pahlavi urged German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to halt talks with Tehran and press for more pressure on the Iranian regime, as EU leaders prepared for a Cyprus summit on the war. Berlin officials refused to meet him, underscoring political tension over engagement with Iran and calls to address executions and political prisoners.
Kaja Kallas, former Estonian Prime Minister, was a strong candidate for NATO Secretary-General but was passed over due to her hardline stance on Russia. Instead, she is now poised to become the EU's High Representative for Foreign Policy, focusing on strengthening defenses against Russia. Her nomination reflects a shift in EU priorities towards a more assertive stance on security. Kallas' experience and background make her a fitting choice, though she faces challenges in balancing EU and NATO roles and addressing broader foreign policy issues, including relations with China and Iran.
Russia launched missile and drone attacks across Ukraine, killing at least five civilians and wounding nearly 50 others, including a pregnant woman, as the EU's top diplomat visited Kyiv. The attacks hit multiple regions, including the capital, Kyiv, where discussions on military aid and financial support were taking place. Ukraine, facing ammunition and personnel shortages, is in desperate need of Western assistance. The conflict has resulted in mounting civilian casualties, with the U.N. documenting a significant increase in deaths and injuries. The barrage, which included missiles made in North Korea, targeted civilian infrastructure and resulted in power outages and significant damage in several cities.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has expressed concern over the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas, warning against a potential spillover into Lebanon. During a visit to Beirut, Borrell emphasized the importance of diplomacy to prevent a wider regional conflict, stating that "nobody will win" from such an escalation. His comments followed a rocket attack by Hezbollah on northern Israel, which was described as a response to the alleged Israeli killing of a top Hamas leader in Lebanon. The ongoing violence has seen daily exchanges of fire, with Hezbollah claiming a direct hit on an Israeli base, which Israel has not confirmed. The situation remains tense, with Borrell advocating for diplomatic solutions to avoid further escalation.