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European Commission President and EPP lead candidate standing for re-election, Ursula von der Leyen greets delegates before giving a speech at the congress of Germany's conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party at the Estrel Berlin Hotel in Berlin, on May 8, 2024. The European Union's three main political groups have come to an agreement on who will hold the bloc's top jobs, three officials told CNBC, leading to disgruntlement from some lawmakers in the continent. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to remain in her post for a second five-year term under a deal struck Tuesday by EU leaders from the center-right European People's Party (EPP), the Socialists and the Liberals, the sources told CNBC. The commission president is in charge of the EU executive arm and holds responsibility over regulating the world's single market, proposing new legislation, and directing the bloc's policy agenda over the next five years. "There's an understanding between the three main parties," one of the three EU officials told CNBC.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Kaja Kallas, Antonio Costa Organizations: EPP, Christian Democratic Union, CDU, CNBC, European, EU, European People's Party, Socialists, Liberals, Estonian, European Council Locations: Berlin, Portuguese

☆ Why Europe’s youth are flirting with the far-right
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

In this month’s European Parliament elections, far-right parties performed predictably well – but especially, and unexpectedly, among young people. Far-right parties enjoyed a similar uptick in support in the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Austria, and continued to do well in Italy. Gonzalo Fuentes/ReutersBut young voters appear less concerned by these roots, says Simon Schnetzer, author of a recent survey of Germany’s youth. But the burst in support for far-right parties could spell a darker trend. This success of far-right parties should be a warning to Europe’s mainstream.

Persons: CNN — Pollsters, “, –, ”, Roberto Foa, ” Foa, “ I’m, Alice Weidel, Tino Chrupalla, Annegret Hilse, You’d, Le Pen, Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron, Jordan Bardella, Arthur Prevot, Macron’s, Prevot, Macron, Jonathan Verbeken, Gonzalo Fuentes, Simon Schnetzer, “ Young, Lee Heinrichs, ” Heinrichs, Ursula von der Leyen, Maximilian Krah, ” Nigel Farage, Maja Smiejkowska, Nigel Farage –, Farage, Andrew Tate, emasculated, Tate –, Tate, shouldn’t, vociferously, Foa Organizations: CNN, Centre, Democracy, University of Cambridge, National, Confederation, Reuters, White House, German Green Party, Greens, Reform UK Locations: United States, United Kingdom, Brussels, Europe, Germany, Poland, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Italy, Berlin, Britain, Jordan, Paris, France, Paris ’, Marseille, Ukraine, Syria, Sylt, Deutschland, London, Romania

☆ Ukraine, Moldova and the EU begin formal negotiations. But neither country will join the bloc soon
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Luke Mcgee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a post on X: “Congratulations to Moldova and Ukraine on opening accession negotiations. This is very good news for the people of Ukraine, Moldova, and the entire European Union. There are 35 chapters in total, all of which must be agreed by all negotiating parties, including the 27 EU member states. Expanding the bloc to the east of Europe will have consequences for the rest of the EU member states. Perhaps more importantly, accepting Ukraine and Moldova to the bloc would mean adding around 40 million new EU citizens from Eastern Europe.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Viktor Orban, Orban Organizations: CNN, European Union, Soviet, EU, Ukraine Locations: Ukraine, Moldova, Russia, Hungary, Hungarian, Moldovan, Transnistria, Europe, Poland, Eastern Europe, Western

☆ Xi's claim that the US is trying to trick China into invading Taiwan is meant to divide the US and its allies: experts
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewXi Jinping's claim that the US is trying to trick China into invading Taiwan is aimed at driving a wedge between the US and its European allies, experts told Business Insider. But in addressing the issue with the EU leader, Xi was trying to counter the US narrative and undermine transatlantic relations, Scobell said. "Also, China knows that the EU is generally ambivalent about backing the United States in a war with China over Taiwan," he added. However, over the last few years, the mood in Washington, DC, has shifted toward greater hawkishness, Graeme Thompson, an analyst with the Eurasia Group, told Business Insider in November. Under its One China policy, the EU recognizes the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China.

Persons: —, Ursula von der Leyen, Xi, Andrew Scobell, Scobell, Craig Singleton, Singleton, Timothy Heath, von der Leyen, Graeme Thompson, Mike Pompeo, John Bolton Organizations: Service, European, Financial Times, Business, US Institute of Peace, BI, EU, Foundation, Defense of Democracies, Taiwan, RAND, Eurasia Group, Royal Services Institute Locations: China, Taiwan, Beijing, Ukraine, United States, Washington ,, People's Republic of China, EU, Taiwan Strait

☆ Opinion: Putin’s North Korea visit comes at a crucial moment
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Opinion Frida Ghitis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

She is a weekly opinion contributor to CNN, a contributing columnist to The Washington Post and senior columnist for World Politics Review. CNN —When Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in North Korea on Tuesday, it will kick up yet another gust in the recent swirl of diplomatic activity surrounding Russia’s all-out war against Ukraine. The allies have good reason to believe Putin aims to outlast Western support. South Korean intelligence estimates that North Korea has delivered as many as 5 million artillery rounds, along with ballistic missiles and other ammunition. Putin, meanwhile, will visit one-party ruled Vietnam later this week, not exactly a military powerhouse, but at least one country that is not backing Ukraine.

Persons: Frida Ghitis, Read, Vladimir Putin, Moscow –, Ukraine’s, –, Putin, Donald Trump, Putin’s, Putin –, Trump, wouldn’t, he’d, Ursula von der Leyen, Olaf Scholz, Mark Rutte, ”, Volodomyr Zelensky, Hitler, Joe Biden, Biden, Zelensky Organizations: CNN, Washington Post, Politics, Ukraine, Frida Ghitis CNN, North, Kyiv, White, European, Dutch, Peace, Biden, Trump acolytes, Republican, Zelensky, NATO Locations: North Korea, Pyongyang, Moscow, Kyiv, Ukraine, Putin’s Russia, Iran, Russia, China, Europe, Cuba, Russian, Normandy, Western, Italy’s Puglia, Switzerland, Korea, Germany, Ukrainian, Puglia, “, Washington, Vietnam

☆ China's Xi accused the US of trying to trick him into invading Taiwan, but said he won't take the bait, report says
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-17 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Xi Jinping accused the US of trying to trick China into invading Taiwan, the Financial Times said. Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementChina's leader, Xi Jinping, accused the US of trying to trick China into invading Taiwan but said his country wouldn't take the bait, the Financial Times reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The FT said Xi made the accusation in April last year during a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Ursula von der Leyen, —, Xi Organizations: Financial Times, Service, FT, European, Business Locations: China, Taiwan

☆ China's Xi accused the US of trying to trick him into invading Taiwan, but said he won't take the bait: report
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-17 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Xi Jinping accused the US of trying to trick China into invading Taiwan, per the Financial Times. Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementChinese leader Xi Jinping has accused the US of trying to trick China into invading Taiwan, but he said it won't take the bait, the Financial Times reported, citing people familiar with the matter. According to the FT, Xi made the accusation during a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in April last year.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Ursula von der Leyen, —, Xi Organizations: Financial Times, Service, European, Business Locations: China, Taiwan

☆ 80 countries at Swiss conference agree territorial integrity of Ukraine must be basis of any peace
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Eighty countries jointly called Sunday for the "territorial integrity" of Ukraine to be the basis for any peace agreement to end Russia's two-year war, though some key developing nations at a Swiss conference did not join in. Brazil, an "observer" country, did not sign on but Turkey — which has sought to an intermediary between Russia and Ukraine — did. The final document said the U.N. Charter and "respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty … can and will serve as a basis for achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the "first steps toward peace" at the meeting, and said the joint communique remains "open for accession by everyone who respects the U.N. "We all at this table need to do more so that children of Ukraine are back in Ukraine," he added.

Persons: Jake Sullivan, Kamala Harris, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, —, Ukraine —, Viola Amherd, Ursula von der Leyen, Putin, Giorgia Meloni, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, it's, Maria Lvova, Belova, Milojko Spajic, I'm Organizations: United, United Arab Emirates, Union's, Analysts, White House, Children's Locations: States, United States, Ukraine, Stansstad, Lucerne, Switzerland, Swiss, Russia, India, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United Arab, Brazil, Turkey, ., China, Gaza, Kyiv, Moscow, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al, Qatar, Europe, Montenegro

☆ Major Ukraine summit ends with fresh plea for peace but key powers spurn final agreement
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-16 | by ( Joshua Berlinger | Niamh Kennedy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —A two-day summit in Switzerland dedicated to forging a path forward to end the war in Ukraine concluded with key powers spurning a joint communique agreed to by more than 80 other countries and international organizations. The world cares deeply about the war provoked by Russia’s aggression,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. The sides also said that all children and civilians that were unlawfully displaced must be returned to Ukraine. And Ukraine must disarm so that is vulnerable to future Russian aggression down the road. No responsible nation could say that is a reasonable basis for peace,” Sullivan said.

Persons: spurning, Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, Vladimir Putin, Kamala Harris, Ursula von der Leyen, Jake Sullivan, ”, Putin, ” Sullivan Organizations: CNN, United Arab, European Union, Kremlin, NATO, Russian, Luhansk –, US National Security, Ukrainian Locations: Switzerland, Ukraine, India, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Russia, Ghana, Canada, Chile, Lucerne, Argentina, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, United Kingdom, China, Moscow, Russian, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Harris

☆ Potential of a Trump return inspires Biden and G7 rush to guarantee long-term support for Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Trump argued, as he had before, that if he were president the war wouldn’t still be going. Opposed to additional Ukraine aid and openly skeptical of NATO, Trump could rip up the bilateral agreement Biden signed Thursday if he returned to office. Yet with uncertainty swirling around any American support in the future, the time to act appeared short. Biden pushes G7 to back reproductive rightsEven on an issue unrelated to Ukraine, Biden sought this week to consolidate G7 support in a way that would be unlikely if Trump were to return to the summit. American allies in Europe are collectively preparing for a second Trump administration with a sense both of trepidation and exhaustion.

Persons: Joe Biden, ” Biden, Volodymyr Zelensky, “, ”, Donald Trump, Biden, Trump, John Bolton, doesn’t, Zelensky, –, Putin, Ursula von der Leyen, Jake Sullivan, Ukraine “, Ukraine —, Giorgia Meloni Organizations: CNN, Republicans, Capitol, NATO, Trump, Biden, Democratic, White Locations: Italy, Ukraine, Washington, Kyiv, Paris, Iran, Russia, Puglia, Italian, Hiroshima, Japan, Europe, Sicily, haggling, Quebec, Biarritz

A simple principle underpins a contentious Thursday decision by the U.S. and key allies to tap profits from Russian sovereign assets in support of Ukraine: Moscow must make reparations. Questions have also been raised over the legality of setting such a precedent: Russia has been cut off from its frozen assets, but retains their ownership. The proposal must now pass various legal hurdles and be backed by European states, where the majority of frozen Russian assets are held. Further loans secured against the interest accrued by Russian frozen assets could be forthcoming, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen signaled on Thursday. The annual summit comes as most of the G7 leaders face their own domestic upheavals including national elections and falling approval ratings.

Persons: Charles Michel, CNBC's Steve Sedgwick, Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Putin, we're, Biden, Michel, Janet Yellen, Yellen, We're, Russia's, Ursula von der Leyen, Georgia Meloni Organizations: U.S, West, . Security, Kyiv, Treasury, Bank, European Commission Locations: Ukraine, Moscow, Russia, Russian, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan . U.S, Kuwait, U.S, Borgo Egnazia, Puglia

☆ EU is expected to unveil tariff plans for Chinese EVs this week
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Sheila Chiang | In Sheilachiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

TOPSHOT - People look at a BYD Seagull car by Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD Auto at the Bangkok International Motor Show in Nonthaburi on March 27, 2024. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP) (Photo by LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images)The European Union is expected to reveal its tariff rate plan for Chinese electric vehicles this week, as the bloc cracks down on low-priced, subsidized imports. The EU has a standard 10% duty on imported EVs, but is set to provisionally raise those fees for Chinese EVs starting July 4. Citi analysts on Monday said the tariff rate could be "hiked to ~25-30% from 10% currently, while our risk scenario (40% probability) envisages a hike in the tariff rate to 30-50%." Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, saw her party – the European People's Party – gaining seats on Sunday.

Persons: Lillian SUWANRUMPHA, LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA, Anthony Sassine, Ursula von der Leyen, Von der Leyen Organizations: BYD Auto, Getty, EU, EVs, Citi, European Commission, European People's Party Locations: Bangkok, Nonthaburi, AFP, Beijing

☆ Macron's snap election gamble in France resurfaces an old criticism — that he's arrogant
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Left-leaning newspaper Liberation described the snap election call as an "extreme gamble," while the center-right Le Figaro ran a brief headline Monday: "Le choc" ("shock"). That happened well before the humiliation of the European election results, in which Macron's Renaissance party got less than half as many votes as the far-right Rassemblement National ... In the meantime, other commentators and newspapers, such as Les Echos, have characterized Macron's move as a game of poker. Macron's supporters defend the president as a self-made and ambitious man who has a direct way of speaking to voters. "First, he has interpreted the vote for the European Parliament as a personal insult, as a rejection of his domestic policy direction.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Xi Jinping, Ursula von der Leyen, Gonzalo Fuentes, Emmanuel Macron's, Macron, drubbing, Jordan Bardella, Le Figaro, Alexis Brézet, Fenoglio, Macron's, it's, Robert Ladrech, Chirac Organizations: Reuters, Macron's Renaissance Party, National Assembly, Le Monde, CNBC, Keele University Locations: Paris, France, what's, EU

☆ Here’s what we learned from the European elections as a far-right surge upends national politics
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-10 | by ( Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Far-right parties across the continent had strong showings, but their momentum did not cause the center ground of European politics to cave in – as many had predicted. Those gains did materialize; far-right groups were expected to secure a record number of seats in the European Parliament, dealing a major blow to the continent’s establishment leaders. Most of the far-right gains were concentrated in countries that elect large numbers of seats: France, Italy and Germany. Several other far-right parties are among the non-aligned (NI) group, predicted to secure 45 seats. The center holdsDespite a far-right surge, the centrist European People’s Party (EPP) was the biggest single winner on Sunday night.

Persons: –, Maximilian Krah, Ursula von der Leyen, ”, Von der Leyen, ” Von der Leyen, Emmanuel Macron, Marine Le, ” Macron, Marion Maréchal, Jordan Bardella, Alexander De Croo, ” De Croo, Meloni, Tusk, Giorgia Meloni, Brothers, Benito Mussolini, von der Leyen, Donald Tusk’s, Viktor Orbán, Bas Organizations: CNN, Green, Nazi, European People’s Party, EPP, Progressive Alliance of Socialists, Commission, Ukraine, Marine, Assembly, French, Ministry, Italy’s, Italy, Law and Justice, PiS, European, Fidesz, Greens, Bas Eickhout, EFA, European Green Party, European Commission Locations: –, France, Europe, Italy, Germany, Brussels, France’s, “, Ukraine, Poland

Members of European Parliament attend a plenary session in Brussels on April 10. John Thys/AFP/Getty ImagesThe European Parliament is the legislative branch of the European Union and one of the bloc’s three main institutions, along with the European Commission, which is the executive branch, and the European Council, which is made up of ministers from the governments of the 27 member states. In order for any legislation to be implemented, both the council and parliament have to agree. It often has the final word on major policy issues such as the budget, trade and sanctions on foreign nationals. For example, A comprehensive mutual investment agreement between the EU and China is effectively on hold while some MEPs are under sanctions from China.

Persons: John Thys, Germany’s Ursula von der Leyen Organizations: European, Getty, European Union, European Commission, European Council, EU Locations: Brussels, AFP, Belgium, Strasbourg, France, China

☆ Europe’s center ground is shifting further to the right
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-09 | by ( Luke Mcgee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

And while the far right is on course to make large gains, the center parties remain ahead. For those on the center right, domestic political shifts to the hard right could make working with the hard right increasingly attractive at a European level. The deadline for this is months away, which leaves a lot of time for horse-trading, which could see elements of the center right and hard right cooperate. It’s not implausible that the center right could vote with the left on issues like support for Ukraine, but then work with the hard right on immigration and climate policy. That was the result of years of domestic politics shifting in the UK, the center right shifting to fend off the hard right, ultimately leading to that rupture.

Persons: –, it’s, It’s, Emmanuel Macron, Pen, Macron, Brothers, Benito Mussolini, Ursula von der Leyen, she’s Organizations: CNN, European Union, EU, European People’s Party, Socialists, Democrats, Europe Greens, Conservative Reformers, European Locations: Europe, Ukraine, Brussels, Netherlands, France, Italy, EU

☆ The E.U. Votes: What We’re Watching For
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-09 | by ( Matina Stevis-Gridneff | Sarah Hurtes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

More than 300 million voters in the 27 countries that make up the European Union are heading to the polls to elect the new European Parliament’s 720 members. The Parliament approves or rejects E.U. It also says yea or nay, by simple majority in a secret ballot, to the appointment of the president of the E.U. In the 2019 election, Ursula von der Leyen, a conservative, came dangerously close to being rejected as the European Commission president, securing the Parliament’s approval by just nine votes. This time, Ms. von Leyen, likely to be designated as president for a second five-year term, could face worse odds.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, von Leyen Organizations: Union, European Commission Locations: Ukraine

☆ Far right surges in European Parliament elections but center still holds
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-09 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Far-right parties are predicted to win a record number of seats in the European Parliament, a result that, if confirmed, would deliver a stinging rebuke to Brussels’ political mainstream and add uncertainty to Europe’s future direction. Most of the far-right gains were concentrated in countries that elect large numbers of seats: France, Italy and Germany. Alternative for Germany (AfD) party co-leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla cheer the exit poll in Berlin, Germany, June 9, 2024. Annegret Hilse/ReutersWhile the far-right surge may further complicate Brussels’ bid for unity, the far-right parties themselves remain relatively divided. Several other far-right parties are among the non-aligned (NI) group, predicted to secure 45 seats.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, –, ”, Europe’s centrists, Le, Emmanuel Macron, Jordan Bardella, ” Macron, Brigitte Macron, Stephane Lemouton, Olaf Scholz, Scholz, shored, ” von der Leyen, Alice Weidel, Tino Chrupalla, Annegret Hilse, Maximilian Krah, Roberta Metsola Organizations: CNN, European People’s Party, EPP, Macron’s Renaissance Party, Socialists, Social Democrats, Christian Democrats Party, CDU, EU, Forces, Reuters, Nazi, SS, Brussels Locations: Brussels, France, Italy, Germany, France’s, Europe, Britain, Russia, Ukraine, Kyiv, Berlin

☆ European elections 2024: What’s at stake in the world’s biggest multi-country vote
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-06 | by ( Luke Mcgee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —One of the world’s largest democratic exercises gets underway this week, with some 373 million people across the European Union eligible to vote in elections for the next European Parliament. Pedestrians walk past a banner displayed on the building of the European Parliament in Brussels on May 17, 2024. The European Parliament sits primarily in Brussels, Belgium, but moves roughly once a month to Strasbourg, France. National elections are set to take place in France in 2027, in which right-wing populist Le Pen could emerge victorious. There are EPP members (and certainly ECR members) who will agree with ID members on matters such as immigration and climate change.

Persons: Kenzo Tribouillard, Germany’s Ursula von der Leyen, Ursula von der Leyen, Giorgia Meloni, Yara Nardi, Pen, Emmanuel Macron’s, What’s, Simona Granati, der Leyen, Von der Leyen, it’s Organizations: CNN, European Union, Voters, EU, Getty, European Commission, European Council, Italian, European, European People’s Party, EPP, Progressive Alliance of Socialists, European Conservatives, ECR, Corbis, Von Locations: Ukraine, Gaza, EU, Brussels, AFP, European, Belgium, Strasbourg, France, Lampedusa, China, Europe, Italian, Rome, Italy, Germany

☆ The far-right is set to make huge gains in European election. It could define the next five years of European politics
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Luke Mcgee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

EU politics has always relied on awkward alliances between countries and political ideologies that represent vastly different electorates. Francois Greuez/SIPA/APThe European Parliament is the place where this is most visible at an EU level. Most of the lawmakers (known as MEPs) belong to a political party in their own country. ECR and ID are typical of European Parliament parties in that they are home to a pretty broad group of conservatives. The European Parliament can often seem like looks like a boring, bureaucratic blob, tediously grinding its way through process.

Persons: Francois Greuez, Angela Merkel, Christoph Reichwein, David Cameron, Georgia Meloni, Viktor Orban, Orban, Ursula von der Leyen, Giorgia Meloni, Hungary's Viktor Orban, –, Geert Wilders Organizations: CNN, European Union, National Rally, European, European People’s Party, EPP, European Conservatives, Politico, British, Brexit, Georgia, Ukraine, Russia EU, EU, SS, Nazi, Dursun, ERC, European Commission, Kremlin Locations: United States, South Africa, Mexico, Taiwan, Ukraine, China, EU, France, Belgian, Brussels, Hungary, Russia, Italian, Anadolu, United Kingdom, Germany, Europe, Netherlands, Europe’s

Sergey Dolzhenko/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, NATO’s Jens Stoltenberg and other European leaders are condemning the attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on Wednesday. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg: "Shocked and appalled by the shooting of Prime Minister Robert Fico. My thoughts are with PM Fico, his family,” she said on X.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky: "The attack on Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico is appalling. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni: "I learned with deep shock the news of the cowardly attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez: “Horrified and outraged at the attack on the Slovak Prime Minister.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Zuzana Caputova, Sergey Dolzhenko, NATO’s Jens Stoltenberg, Robert Fico, Jens Stoltenberg, Ursula von der, “, Fico, ”, state's, Zelensky, Viktor Orban, ” Orban, Giorgia, Pedro Sanchez, ” Sanchez Organizations: Slovak, NATO, European, Slovakia’s, Spanish, Slovak Prime Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Slovakia, Hungarian, Spain

☆ Live Updates: Slovakia’s Prime Minister in ‘Life-Threatening’ Condition After Shooting
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | Pavol Strba | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Slovakia’s populist prime minister, Robert Fico, was shot and seriously wounded on Wednesday in what the government called an assassination attempt. A post on the prime minister’s official and verified Facebook page said that Mr. Fico was in “life-threatening condition” after sustaining “multiple” gunshot wounds. Local media reported that the attack unfolded in the central Slovak town of Handlova, where Mr. Fico, a veteran politician, had been meeting with supporters. Mr. Fico has aligned with the Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orban, in opposing aid to Ukraine and challenging mainstream opinions within the European Union. On Wednesday, Mr. Orban was quick to send well wishes to Mr. Fico, whom he called “my friend.”“We pray for his health and quick recovery,” Mr. Orban wrote on social media.

Persons: Robert Fico, Fico, “, Zuzana Caputova, ”, Caputova, Viktor Orban, Orban, Mr, Ursula von der Leyen Organizations: Local, Facebook, Reuters, European Union, European Commission Locations: Slovak, Handlova, Russia, Ukraine, United States

☆ Robert Fico: Slovakia’s PM in life-threatening condition after being shot multiple times
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico was in a life-threatening condition in hospital Wednesday after he was shot multiple times in an assassination attempt. Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico attends a European Council summit in Brussels, on April 18, 2024. Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP via Getty Images/FILEFico previously served as Slovakia’s prime minister for more than a decade, first between 2006 and 2010 and then again from 2012 to 2018. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, tweeted: “I strongly condemn the vile attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico. My thoughts are with PM Fico, his family.”And Hungarian Prime Minister Orban added: “I was deeply shocked by the heinous attack against my friend, Prime Minister Robert Fico.

Persons: CNN —, Robert Fico, Fico, Zuzana Čaputová, “ I’m, Roberto Fico, ” Čaputová, upend, “, ”, Vladimir Putin, Viktor Orban, Kenzo Tribouillard, Jan Kuciak, Martina Kušnírová, Kuciak, Ursula von der Leyen, Orban Organizations: CNN, CNN — Slovakia’s, Facebook, Ukraine, NATO, Kremlin, Hungary’s, European Union, Slovakia's, Getty Locations: Handlova, Banska Bystrica, Bratislava, Slovak, Ukraine, Brussels, AFP, Hungarian

This week, Xi is welcoming him to China for a two-day state visit — their fourth in-person meeting since Russia’s onslaught in Ukraine began. China has repeatedly defended its trade with Russia as part of normal bilateral relations. Russia has also become China’s main oil supplier, overtaking Saudi Arabia, according to official Chinese trade data. Governments warn against support for Russia’s war effortThe wartime surge in trade, and growing purchases of oil, have sparked criticism in the West that China was helping to fund Russia’s war. It mirrors Xi’s state visit to Russia in March 2023, which was the Chinese leader’s first overseas trip after starting a norm-shattering third term as president.

Persons: Vladimir Putin’s, Xi, Putin, Antony Blinken, Emmanuel Macron, Ursula von der Leyen, Von der, ’, Volodymyr Zelensky, Joe Biden, Biden Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, United, European Union, International Monetary Fund, —, EU, White, European Commission Locations: China, Hong Kong, Russia, Ukraine, Russian, United States, Saudi Arabia, India, West, Beijing, France, Chinese

☆ China is engaged in ‘deliberate' efforts to undermine the U.S. and Europe, says EU envoy Gitenstein
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Vicky Mckeever | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Mark Gitenstein, the U.S. ambassador to the EU, said China is deliberately distorting markets with a glut of cheap goods. Speaking to CNBC's Silvia Amaro on Tuesday, Gitenstein said China was "engaged in a deliberate effort to undermine economic sectors in both Europe and the United States." The Chinese Embassy in London did not immediately respond to a request for comment when contacted by CNBC. It comes amid growing concerns over a raft of cheap Chinese "green" goods — such as EVs, batteries and solar panels — flooding international markets. White House officials have already warned Beijing to amend certain trade practices that it argues have weakened global supply chains.

Persons: Mark Gitenstein, CNBC's Silvia Amaro, Gitenstein, Biden, Ursula von der Leyen, Charles Michel, — CNBC's Rebecca Picciotto Organizations: Embassy, CNBC, White, European Commission, European Locations: U.S, China, Europe, United States, London, Beijing, People's Republic of China, PRC

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