European Union

At high-stakes summit, EU leaders prepare to take unprecedented steps to help Ukraine

By Lorne Cook, Associated Press

At a summit starting on Thursday, many European Union leaders will press for tens of billions of euros in frozen Russian assets held in Europe to be used to meet Ukraine’s economic and military needs for the next two years.

EU plans to ease 2035 ban on internal combustion cars as auto industry seeks flexibility

By David McHugh, Associated Press

The EU's commission is responding to appeals from carmakers for a more flexible approach. The new limit still needs approval by the EU parliament and member governments.

EU enlargement chief says Ukraine's membership 'inevitable' despite Hungary's objections

By Derek Gatopoulos, Evgeniy Maloletka, Associated Press

Ukraine hopes to join the bloc by the end of the decade and remains frustrated that its path to NATO membership looks uncertain.

European leaders consider weakening longstanding migrant protections

By Sam McNeil, Renata Brito, Associated Press

The consensus coalesced Wednesday as mainstream political parties across Europe have adopted tougher migration policies as a way to blunt the momentum of far-right politicians exploiting discontent over immigration.

EU fines Elon Musk's X 120 million euros for breaching bloc's social media law

By Kelvin Chan, Associated Press

The European Commission issued its decision following an investigation it opened two years ago into X under the 27-nation bloc’s Digital Services Act, also known as the DSA.

Europeans accuse Putin of feigning interest in peace after talks with U.S. envoys stall

By Lorne Cook, Illia Novikov, Associated Press

The Russian leader “should end the bluster and the bloodshed and be ready to come to the table and to support a just and lasting peace,” said U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.

EU rolls out plan to make it easier to deploy tanks and troops at short notice

By Sam McNeil, Associated Press

The European Union has introduced a new defense package to speed up the deployment of tanks and troops across its 27 nations.

Finland's president warns no ceasefire likely soon in Ukraine, urges Europe to hold its nerve

By Emma Burrows, Associated Press

A ceasefire in Ukraine is unlikely before the spring and European allies need to keep up support despite a corruption scandal that has engulfed Kyiv, President Alexander Stubb of Finland told The Associated Press.

Syrians and EU officials hold rare open meeting in Damascus

By Bassem Mroue, Associated Press

Saturday's meetings came nearly a year after the fall of the 54-year Assad family rule in Syria in a stunning offensive by insurgent groups in early December.

EU tightens visa restrictions on Russian nationals over Ukraine war, potential security risks

By Lorne Cook, Associated Press

The European Union on Friday made it harder for Russian citizens to enter Europe’s ID-check free travel area due to Russia's continued war on Ukraine, increasing acts of sabotage blamed on Moscow and the potential misuse of visas.