Category: European Union

Poland Refuses to Accept and Pay for New COVID-19 Vaccine Deliveries

Poland is refusing to accept or pay for more deliveries of the COVID-19 vaccine under the European Union’s supply contract, amid dwindling demand. The country’s health minister announced the news in remarks on local television on Tuesday. “At the end of last week, we used the force majeure clause and informed both the European Commission…


History Repeating Itself in Ukraine

Commentary An often-quoted statement about the enduring importance of history comes from the celebrated Spanish-American philosopher George Santayana. He said that “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” In this context, it is always sad to hear that the study of history is neglected in our schools. There is a great…


UK, EU Sanction Vladimir Putin’s Daughters Over Ukraine Invasion

The UK and the European Union have imposed sanctions on the two adult daughters of Russian President Vladimir Putin over the invasion of Ukraine. The UK Foreign Office on April 8 announced travel bans and asset freezes on Katerina Vladimirovna Tikhonova and Maria Vladimirovna Vorontsova, who were already sanctioned by the United States two days…


EU Official Calls Summit With China a ‘Dialogue of the Deaf’

Chinese leaders “did not want to talk about Ukraine” during Friday’s high-profile summit between the European Union and Beijing, the EU’s foreign policy chief said, describing the session as a “deaf dialogue.” “China wanted to set aside our difference on Ukraine,” Josep Borrell told a plenary session of the European Parliament on Tuesday evening. “They…


US and EU Strike Gas Deal to Reduce Reliance on Russian Energy

The United States and the European Union have struck a deal to reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels, including a commitment for the United States to provide an additional 15 billion cubic meters of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to EU markets this year alone. President Joe Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen…


Trudeau’s Anti-Populism EU Speech Draws Both Praise and Rebuke From European Lawmakers

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the European Parliament (EP) on March 23, where he warned world leaders that a growing populist movement representing “extreme political views” is threatening democracy. “We could see that something was lurking off on the horizon, something shadowy, something that was threatening. We didn’t look close enough,” Trudeau said as he…


EU Offers Farmers Aid, More Land to Grow Due to Ukraine War

BRUSSELS—The European Union will distribute 500 million euros ($550 million) to help farmers and allow them to grow crops on fallow land to mitigate food price spikes and potential shortages resulting from Russia’s war in Ukraine. Published on Wednesday, the proposals by the EU’s executive European Commission also include assistance to Ukraine to help its…


Trump Got It Right About Germany Being ‘Captive’ to Russia for Energy: Alberta Premier

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says former U.S. President Donald Trump was right about Germany being held “captive” by Russia when it comes to energy. “Say what you like about Donald trump, but he got this exactly right,” Kenney said on Twitter Tuesday. The premier was referring to a YouTube video posted by Bloomberg Markets and…


EU Should Drop Talk With China for ‘Ambiguous Stand’ on Russian Attack, Lithuania Says

The European Union (EU) ought to cancel an upcoming meeting with China, intended to tame bilateral tensions, unless the latter states a clear stand on the Russia-Ukraine war, a senior Lithuanian official said on March 16. “It is the time to show China that we mean business—that they cannot expect to occupy this ambiguous role, on…


EU Approves Ban on Luxury Items to Russia in Conjunction With G-7

The European Union approved on March 14 a ban on exports to Russia as part of its fourth round of sanctions in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The new sanctions come as the United States and the other industrial nations comprising the Group of Seven—Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom—along with the European…