As European heads of state and government dined together on Thursday in the Cypriot resort of Ayia Napa, on the first day of a two-day gathering largely focused on global politics, any sense of triumph ebbed as they confronted the many challenges and crises on their plates. While they had the luxury of not needing … Read more
Ukraine gets multibillion-dollar loan; Russia rakes in oil revenue. A loan drama tied to geopolitics. Kyiv is getting a much-delayed lifeline from Brussels, as it fights Moscow’s invasion with nearly empty coffers. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list That is after Ukraine repaired a pipeline carrying Russian crude to Hungary, Slovakia and beyond. … Read more
In a video posted to social media after Tuesday’s pipeline news, Orbán doubled down, saying “if there is no oil, there is no money” for Ukraine. But a diplomat familiar with Budapest’s thinking hinted there could be room for a breakthrough ahead of Thursday’s summit, given the movement from the EU and Ukrainian President Volodymyr … Read more
Hungary announced on Feb. 20 that it will block the European Union’s 90-billion-euro ($107 million) loan to Ukraine until Russian oil flows via the damaged Druzhba pipeline resume. The move comes amid rising tensions between Ukraine and Hungary, one of the EU’s most Kremlin-friendly states, and comes only days before the four-year anniversary of Russia’s … Read more
“We agreed on the what, now we have to work on the how,” Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters. Faced with the Commission’s reassurances that the financial operation carried little risk, Belgian diplomats replied in internal EU meetings that a plane had little chance of crashing — but if that happens, tens of … Read more
Barcelona agree deal to sign England international Marcus Rashford on an initial loan deal from Manchester United. Barcelona’s already impressive front line is about to be boosted by the signing of Marcus Rashford. Rashford is in Barcelona to complete a move from Manchester United, a person with knowledge of the transfer told The Associated Press … Read more