EU postpones Russian oil-ban, as Iran energy shock aggravates rifts
Russian oil deliveries to Hungary jumped from 61 percent of its imports in 2021 to 93 percent in 2025 despite the Ukraine war.
EU sanctions
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EU foreign ministers face tense talks on Ukraine amid spillover fears of Iran war
Amid concerns about waning US aid and shortages of air‑defence systems for Ukraine linked to the Iran war, there are expected to be renewed calls during Monday’s foreign affairs council meeting for increased bilateral military support for Kyiv alongside the stalled €90bn in EU funding that Hungary is currently blocking.
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EU must match Trump sanctions on Rwanda for Congo war, says minister
With EU foreign ministers ready to discuss possible sanctions on Rwanda at a meeting in Brussels next Monday, DR Congo communications minister Patrick Muyaya says the EU should match US sanctions over the eastern DR Congo invasion and reconsider its controversial minerals deal with Rwanda.
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EU under pressure to match US sanctions on Rwanda
The US Treasury imposed sanctions under its Global Magnitsky Act in the wake of the Rwandan army and the M23 militia group capturing the city of Ulvira in the South Kivu province of eastern DR Congo last year
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Hungary and Slovakia in standoff with Ukraine over broken Russian oil pipe
Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline has halted, sparking tensions between Slovakia, Hungary and Ukraine, although Brussels says supplies remain stable. In contrast, Kyiv builds cyber ties with other EU countries while Baltic states bolster border defences.
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Four years of war: Don’t buy Putin’s ‘bullshit’, Ukraine ambassador tells EU
Ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian ambassador to the EU Vsevolod Chentsov warned that achieving peace with Russia requires real pressure on Moscow, cautions against normalising the war or engaging in ‘premature’ EU talks with Moscow, and sets the case for full EU membership.
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What it means for Europe’s energy prices and refugees if Trump attacks Iran
Iran’s population today exceeds 93 million— and is hosts six million Afghan refugees.
In the event of regional war, both Iranians and displaced Afghans would inevitably seek routes toward Europe. -
EU racing to agree more Russia sanctions for Ukraine-invasion anniversary
Hungary and Slovakia risk delaying new EU sanctions on Russia, but Malta is falling into line, less than a week before Europe’s Ukraine-anniversary deadline.
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Right of Reply: FIDE responds to ‘EU travel ban could see Russia’s world chess head challenged for top role’
The Swiss-based International Chess Federation or World Chess Federation (FIDE) rejects allegations that its president, Arkady Dvorkovich, backed Russia’s invasion or organised events in occupied Ukraine, arguing claims misrepresent his honorary CFR role and federation decisions.
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Russian chess boss, Central Asia, crypto targeted in new EU sanctions
Russia’s world chess king and Asian sanctions-busters feature in the draft new round of EU measures, which also cover chemical weapons, killer drones, mercenaries in Belize, crypto, and salt.
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EU still wary of Trump on Greenland, as Russia pounds frozen Ukraine
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she didn’t know “what comes next” with US claims on Greenland, but Europe remained sure Russia was a long-term threat.
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Punching below your weight – Europe needs to escalate North Korea sanctions
The EU decisionmakers have not updated the North Korea sanctions list in almost two years, even though the DPRK is fighting a war in Europe.
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Two very different demonstrations in Paris — and what they tell us about the Iranian opposition and EU politicians
Any approach to current events in Iran that is driven primarily by self-interest and opportunism – condemning human rights abuses perpetrated by the regime, while readily ignoring violations by other actors – risks alienating the Iranian population in the long term, regardless of whether the Islamic Republic endures or not.
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THIS WEEK: Russian sanctions, Ukrainian loan and US trade deal
This week, the EU advances its agenda with new Russia sanctions, a potential deal on the €90bn Ukraine aid package, the EU’s budget amendments, and talks on the US-EU trade deal.
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Listen: Can we, Europeans, do something to stop the bloodshed in Iran?
The EU has just decided to tag the Islamic Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organisation. What does that actually mean?
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Iran ‘terrorist’ label does not signify backing for US strikes, EU says
Europe’s designation of Iran’s main army branch as “terrorists” on Thursday is not an endorsement of US military strikes, the EU’s top diplomat has said.