Germany's Merz says Europe has found “self-respect,” calls for stronger NATO within continent
“For some weeks now, we have been seeing with increasing clarity the emergence of a world of great powers,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said ...
European Council President António Costa announced at a press conference following the EU security summit that several member states have already committed to providing up to €15 billion in additional aid for Ukraine.
This new pledge comes as part of broader efforts to expand fiscal space and increase support across various fronts, including military, reconstruction, and potential EU accession.
Costa emphasized the long-standing support for Ukraine, stating, "We have been with Ukraine since day one. We have already provided more than €135 billion in support to Ukraine since 2022. Our support is unwavering – whether the war continues, in any future peace negotiations, in reconstruction, or in accession to the European Union." He added that EU member states now have the immediate capacity to boost their assistance thanks to enhanced fiscal flexibility.
In addition to the financial commitment, the European Council has tasked the Council of the European Union with working urgently on further initiatives to address Ukraine's pressing military and defense needs. Costa also noted that preparations are underway to support Ukraine in future negotiations aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace.
This announcement follows a call by the European Council on March 6 for accelerated action on a new multi-billion-euro military aid package for Ukraine, spearheaded by Kaja Kallas, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
As the conflict in Ukraine continues, the EU's expanded support package underscores its commitment to assisting Ukraine across multiple dimensions, while also addressing the security and stability of the wider region.
The S&P 500 edged to a record closing high on Tuesday, marking its fifth consecutive day of gains, as strong advances in technology stocks offset a sharp selloff in healthcare shares and a mixed batch of corporate earnings.
Sanctions are a long-used tool designed as an alternative to military force and with the objective of changing governments’ behaviour, but they also end up hurting civilian citizens.
Residents in Syria’s Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli have stepped up volunteer patrols amid growing pressure from the country’s Islamist-led government, expressing deep mistrust of Damascus despite a fragile U.S.-backed ceasefire.
Liverpool confirmed direct qualification to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 with a 6-0 win over Qarabağ at Anfield in their final league-phase match. Despite the setback, Qarabağ secured a play-off spot, with results elsewhere going in the Azerbaijani champions’ favour on the final matchday.
Iraq's former Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki said on Wednesday that he rejects U.S. interference in Iraq's internal affairs, after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to cut off support to the country if Maliki was picked as prime minister.
“For some weeks now, we have been seeing with increasing clarity the emergence of a world of great powers,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Thursday (29 January), declaring that Europe had found “self-respect” in standing up for a rules-based global order.
Colombian authorities on Wednesday (28 January) located a missing plane carrying 15 people in the northeast of the country, with no survivors found, an Air Force source and local media said.
Chinese authorities say they've carried out capital punishment against a group of individuals tied to notorious telecommunications fraud syndicates operating across the southern border, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party is likely to increase its number of parliamentary seats and gain a majority in the lower house, a preliminary survey by the Nikkei newspaper showed on Thursday (29 January).
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