Displaying items by tag: Europe

Donald Trump has paused a proposed 50% tariff on EU goods, extending the negotiation deadline to 9 July after a phone call with EC president Ursula von der Leyen. She requested more time to reach a deal, which Trump agreed to, calling the EU ‘willing to negotiate’. While both sides seek a resolution, the USA remains firm on maintaining a 10% base tariff, rejecting the EU’s recent offer to eliminate industrial tariffs and boost cooperation in AI and energy. Trump’s stance stems from concerns over the EU’s significant trade surplus and regulatory barriers. Meanwhile, the EU has approved retaliatory tariffs worth billions, set to begin on 14 July if talks fail. The escalating tensions risk sparking a costly trade war, which the IMF warns could shrink GDP on both sides. EU and US officials are set to meet next month in Paris to seek resolution. In preparation for these, the EU has requested firms to give details of their dealings with US companies: see

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov has acknowledged delays in weapons deliveries to Armenia due to the strain of the war in Ukraine. Armenia, a long-time Russian ally, has historically depended on Russian arms amid its bitter decades-long conflict with Azerbaijan. However, as Moscow struggles to meet military commitments, Armenia is increasingly turning to Western partners like France and India for defense support. Lavrov said that these shifts were worrying, especially given France’s strong opposition to Russia's actions in Ukraine. But Armenia has expressed deepening frustration with Moscow, particularly after Russian peacekeepers failed to prevent the mass exodus of over 100,000 ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh during Azerbaijan’s swift military campaign in September 2023. As Armenia rethinks its security alliances, the region remains volatile, with historical wounds and unresolved tensions continuing to shape its strategic decisions.

Nicusor Dan, the liberal and pro-European mayor of Bucharest, has defeated far-right nationalist George Simion in Romania’s presidential run-off, securing 54% of the vote. His victory followed months of political upheaval, including a contested earlier election annulled over alleged Russian interference. Despite Simion’s strong support from Romanians abroad and his alignment with banned candidate Calin Georgescu, Dan prevailed with broad domestic backing. Supporters praised his anti-corruption platform, EU alignment, and commitment to Ukraine. Jubilant crowds celebrated in Bucharest after results confirmed his win. Many voters viewed him as a stabilising force in contrast to Simion’s nationalist, anti-EU rhetoric. International leaders, including those from Moldova and Ukraine, welcomed Dan’s win as a reaffirmation of Romania’s European path. Nonetheless, Simion’s strong showing reveals significant dissatisfaction, especially among Romanians abroad, signalling ongoing political tensions that Dan must now work to heal.

Peace efforts between Russia and Ukraine took a cautious step forward as Russian delegates arrived in Istanbul on 15 May for proposed negotiations. Volodymyr Zelensky had invited Vladimir Putin to meet in person, but Putin declined, appointing aide Vladimir Medinsky to lead Russia’s delegation. The absence of top Russian officials, including foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, cast doubt on Moscow’s seriousness. Ukraine, emphasising the need for high-level talks, questioned the format and substance of the meeting. Zelensky said he would decide Ukraine’s response after seeing Russia’s true intentions. Ukraine and its allies had urged an unconditional ceasefire from 12 May, a proposal Moscow ignored. Donald Trump, who at one stage expressed interest in attending, will not participate, though Marco Rubio, Steve Witkoff, and NATO secretary Mark Rutte could do so. The situation remains fluid, with uncertainty surrounding whether the talks will lead to meaningful de-escalation or remain another missed opportunity.

The EU General Court has ruled that the European Commission failed to justify its refusal to release text messages between Ursula von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla regarding Covid-19 vaccine contracts. The case, brought by the New York Times, has been described as a landmark in institutional transparency. The EC had argued that texts are too ephemeral for official documentation, but the court rejected this, stating that all communication must be treated as potentially subject to public access. Critics, including the EU Ombudsman, had said that the secrecy risked favouring private interests over public welfare. Previous attempts to obtain vaccine contract details had also been met with redactions and resistance. Reacting to the decision, one commentator said, '(It is) everyone’s win as this judgment is set to lead greater accountability of EU leaders' actions’.

On 8 May Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago in 1955, was elected as the new head of the Catholic Church, becoming the first North American, American, and Peruvian pope. A member of the Order of Saint Augustine, he is also the first Augustinian pope in modern times. Prevost’s career included decades of service in Peru as a pastor, seminary educator, and diocesan official, before rising within his order’s global leadership. He later served as Bishop of Chiclayo and was made a cardinal in 2023, shortly before becoming Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops - a critical Vatican post. His wide linguistic fluency and diverse cultural experience positioned him as a bridge between the global North and South. His leadership will be closely watched for how he navigates past controversies and leads a Church increasingly shaped by voices from the global south.

Vladimir Putin has announced a new three-day unilateral ceasefire, to run from 8 to 10 May, coinciding with Russia’s World War II commemorations. It follows a previous thirty-hour Easter ceasefire, which critics say Moscow repeatedly violated. The Kremlin frames these brief pauses as humanitarian gestures; Ukrainian officials argue that if Russia truly sought peace, it would halt hostilities immediately. Foreign minister Andrii Sybiha called for a thirty-day truce instead. Observers question whether Putin’s moves are sincere peace efforts or merely an attempt to influence Donald Trump, who has recently voiced frustration with both Russia and Ukraine. Trump has criticised Putin for continuing attacks on civilian areas and floated harsher sanctions. When in March he proposed a thirty-day ceasefire, Ukraine agreed, but Russia did not. In another development, the much-anticipated natural resources agreement between the USA and Ukraine has been signed: see

A widespread power cut on 28 April disrupted millions across Spain and Portugal, prompting investigations and huge public concern. Portugal’s national grid operator, REN, attributed the blackout to a rare atmospheric phenomenon which caused extreme temperature shifts, leading to unusual oscillations in electrical lines. This explanation contrasts with speculation in Spain about a possible cyber attack, which their national security agency is still investigating. There is still no clear explanation of the disruption. It brought significant consequences: public transport stopped, mobile networks failed, and contactless payment systems were disabled. Panic buying swept through supermarkets, echoing scenes from the Covid pandemic. Three deaths have also been recorded in Spain. REN said recovery could take up to a week, though prime minister Luis Montenegro predicted that it would be quicker.

The recent 6.2 magnitude earthquake which struck Istanbul on 23 April is being seen as a serious warning rather than a release of seismic energy, according to Japanese earthquake expert Yoshinori Moriwaki. While the quake caused no fatalities, he warned that a larger quake, possibly over magnitude 7.0, is likely in the coming twelve to fifteen years. Istanbul lies near the North Anatolian Fault (NAF), a historically active fault line responsible for many major earthquakes across Türkiye. Moriwaki explained that the NAF, along with the South Marmara Fault, poses a continued risk to the Marmara region, with Istanbul particularly vulnerable due to soft ground in coastal districts. He urged residents not to panic but to be prepared, looking for ground stability and building regulations when choosing homes. The April quake triggered hundreds of aftershocks and follows patterns seen in destructive historical events. Despite the threat, Moriwaki remains hopeful that awareness and preparation can mitigate future damage and save lives.

The USA has presented Ukraine with a controversial one-page peace framework, described as Donald Trump’s ‘final offer’, which would grant significant concessions to Russia, including recognition of its occupation of Crimea and of territories which it has captured since the war began. In exchange, Ukraine would receive vague security guarantees, economic aid, and partial territorial returns. The plan also proposes that the USA would operate Ukraine’s Zaporizhzha nuclear plant and distribute its electricity output between the two countries. Sources say Kyiv views the proposal as heavily skewed in Moscow’s favour. Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, drafted the deal after a lengthy meeting with Putin, who has shown interest in freezing current battle lines. However, European leaders remain skeptical of Putin’s sincerity, and critics argue that the deal sacrifices core Ukrainian interests for political expediency. Volodymyr Zelensky has drawn further harsh criticism from Trump for refusing to countenance the loss of Crimea: see The war continues, with the worst Russian attack on Kyiv in months: see