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☆ Armenia and Azerbaijan Have Agreed on Basic Peace Treaty Principles -TASS Cites Armenian PM
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) -Armenia and Azerbaijan have been able to agree on the basic principles for a peace treaty but are still "speaking different diplomatic languages", Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Saturday, according to Russia's TASS news agency. "We have good and bad news about the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process," TASS quoted Pashinyan as saying in Yerevan. "It is good that the basic principles of peace with Azerbaijan have been agreed. "The most important bad news is that we still speak different diplomatic languages and very often do not understand each other," Pashinyan said. Pashinyan said Armenia had also proposed swapping all Armenian prisoners for all Azerbaijani prisoners, TASS reported.

Persons: Nikol Pashinyan, Pashinyan, Charles Michel, Alexander MarrowEditing, Andrew Osborn Organizations: Reuters, Armenian, TASS, European Locations: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Nagorno, Karabakh, Yerevan, Brussels

☆ U.S. and China vie for dominance in new 'a la carte' world order, survey finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Pluralities of global citizens believe the West is in demise — with U.S. democracy and the European Union at risk of collapse within the next 20 years. They also find that increased economic ties with China are growing more appealing, according to polling of adults across 11 European countries and 10 non-European ones. For many, the conflict is considered a "proxy war" between the U.S. and Russia, with majorities in Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey saying the two Cold War powers are "already at war." Almost half of respondents in the country say they feel pessimistic about the future of the U.S. This compares with majorities of nationals in India, Indonesia, China and Russia, who are optimistic about their countries.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Saul Loeb, Xi, thinktank, Mark Leonard Organizations: Economic Cooperation, Afp, Getty, U.S, European Council, Foreign Relations, Oxford University, European Union Locations: Asia, San Francisco, China, Russia, Ukraine, Europe, U.S, Moscow, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, India, Indonesia

“It can be assumed that the 1 million rounds will not be reached,” Boris Pistorius said ahead of an EU defense ministers meeting in Brussels. In March, EU member states agreed to provide Ukraine with 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition for Ukraine to be delivered within 12 months. The US has also been ramping up ammunition production to supply Ukraine. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Kyiv urgently needed the EU to ramp up its ability to supply ammunition for the Ukrainian military. Ukraine is “ringing the bells a lot and loudly” over EU ammunition supply, he said on national television on Monday night.

Persons: ” Boris Pistorius, Pistorius, Josep Borrell, Borrell, Boris Pistorius, Omar Havana, Dmytro Kuleba, “, ”, ” Nick Witney, Tom Waldwyn, Waldwyn Organizations: CNN, EU, German, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, Ukraine’s, European Council, Foreign Relations, International Institute for Strategic Studies Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Russia, Brussels, EU, Ukraine’s, South, North Korea, Europe

☆ Spain's Sanchez wins support for PM bid amid anger over Catalan amnesty vow
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"We have managed to secure a majority that will make possible the investiture of Pedro Sanchez," acting minister for parliamentary relations Felix Bolanos said in an interview with SER radio station. Opinion polls have painted a picture of a country divided over the question of amnesty, even within the ranks of the Socialist Party. With Junts and PNV and the national and regional left-wing parties, Sanchez would win an absolute majority of 178 out of 350 lawmakers. Later on Friday, the Socialist Party added one vote more to its wide coalition after Canary Islands' regionalist party Coalicion Canaria also agreed to back Sanchez. Bolanos said the Catalan amnesty law would help ease tension in Catalonia as it would free school directors, firefighters and other civil servants who helped organise an illegal referendum on the region's independence in 2017 from legal proceedings.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Ursula von der Leyen, Charles Michel, Jon Nazca, Junts, Sanchez, Felix Bolanos, Bolanos, Canaria, Carles Puigdemont, Belen Carreno, Emma Pinedo, Inti Landauro, David Latona, Jessica Jones, Aislinn Laing, Toby Chopra, Nick Macfie, Hugh Lawson, Andrea Ricci Organizations: European, REUTERS, Rights, Catalan separatists, National Basque Party, Canaries ' Coalition, SER, Socialist Party, Socialist, La, Sigma, Sanchez's Socialist Party, Interior Ministry, El Mundo, Socialists, Police, Thomson Locations: Granada, Spain, Rights MADRID, Catalonia, Galician, Basque, Canary Islands, Junts, Madrid

☆ Putin looks set to run for president in 2024 — and there's no one who can oppose him right now
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - SEPTEMBER 9: (RUSSIA OUT) Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during the concert marking the City Day on September 9, 2023 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Contributor/Getty Images) Contributor | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesRussian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly decided to run in the March 2024 presidential election and he's likely to win another six-year term in office, essentially because there's no one that can oppose him. Analysts say that the bitter truth in modern Russia is that there is no one who can oppose Putin, for now. In this pool image distributed by Sputnik agency, Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with the regional head of Inigushetia in Moscow's Kremlin, on August 15, 2023. MOSCOW, RUSSIA - SEPTEMBER 9: (RUSSIA OUT) Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during the concert marking the City Day on September 9, 2023 in Moscow, Russia.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Putin, Sobyanin, he's, —, Vladimir Milov, Alexander Kazakov, Dmitry Peskov, Peskov, Alexei Navalny, Yulia Morozova, Vladimir Kara, Murza, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Prigozhin, Sergei Medvedev, Mikhail Svetlov, Medvedev, deigning, Prigozhin's Wagner, Wagner, Kirill Shamiev, Milov Organizations: Moscow's, Getty, Kremlin, Reuters, CNBC, Sputnik, AFP, Kremlin's, Communist Party, Liberal Democratic Party, Russia, IK, Wagner Group, Analysts, Saint Petersburg, Economic, Prigozhin's Wagner Group, Anadolu Agency, European Council, Foreign Relations, Putin Locations: MOSCOW, RUSSIA, Moscow, Russia, Russian, Moscow's Kremlin, Ukraine, Vladimir, Iran, North Korea, SAINT PETERSBURG, Concord, Saint Petersburg, Belarus, Prigozhin, Russia's, Tver

☆ Polish president to announce new PM on Monday - aide
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Polish President Andrzej Duda speaks as he attends the military parade on Armed Forces Day, celebrated annually on August 15 to commemorate Poland's victory over the Soviet Union's Red Army in 1920, in Warsaw, Poland, August 15, 2023. President Andrzej Duda, an ally of PiS, said before the election he would give the first shot at forming a government to the largest single party. "After consultations and deep consideration, President Andrzej Duda has made a decision regarding the so-called first step (of appointing a government). Despite all the other parties in parliament ruling out a coalition with PiS, Morawiecki has said he still intends to try and form a government. If Morawiecki were tasked by Duda with forming a government but proved unable to win a vote of confidence in parliament, the chamber would then appoint another prime minister.

Persons: Andrzej Duda, Kacper, PiS, Marcin Mastalerek, Duda, Donald Tusk, Marcin Kierwinski, PiS's Mateusz, Tusk, Morawiecki, Pawel Jablonski, Anna Wlodarczak, Alan Charlish, Pawel, Gareth Jones Organizations: Armed Forces, Soviet Union's Red Army, REUTERS, Rights, Justice, Union, Civic Coalition, European Council, Radio Zet, PiS, RMF, Thomson Locations: Warsaw, Poland, Polish

☆ A 'festering' powder keg in Europe is lurking in the shadow of the Israel-Hamas war
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

"Consequently, the Serbia-Kosovo discord, while festering, finds itself languishing in the shadow of these more immediate and globally resonant challenges." It highlights a major challenge for policymakers: providing ongoing conflicts with near-constant attention, while still monitoring other strategically significant risks. "The fact remains that the Balkan region is a powder keg, where even minor incidents can swiftly spiral into broader conflicts. History has underscored the adage that what happens in the Balkans, doesn't stay in the Balkans," the CEPA's Hartwell said. "The U.S., EU and U.K. do not have the diplomatic and military bandwidth to respond to several conflicts of strategic interest.

Persons: Stringer, Leon Hartwell, Hartwell, Banjska, doesn't, Majda Ruge Organizations: NATO, Kosovo Force, KFOR, Afp, Getty, Center for, CNBC, European Union, Anadolu Agency, European Council, Foreign Relations Locations: Mitrovica, Israel, Russia, Ukraine, Balkans, Europe, Serbia, Kosovo, Palestine, Albania, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Southern, Eastern Europe, Moscow, Brussels, Washington, Serbs, Kosovan, U.S, EU, Pristina, destabilising Kosovo, Yugoslavia

☆ Ukraine holds peace formula talks in Malta, Russia absent
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Christopher Scicluna | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Without Russia, which criticized Malta for hosting the talks after smaller ones this year in Jeddah and in Copenhagen, Zelenskiy said he longed for a day when human history "is the history of peace only." Officials said they hoped for the outcome of the weekend's gathering, partly in person, partly virtual, to be agreement to hold a global peace summit later this year. No official list of delegates to the talks was issued, but officials said they included representatives of European, South American, Arab, African and Asian countries. Simon Mordue of the European Council and Bjorn Seibert of the European Commission represented the EU, the official said. The parties would take necessary preparatory steps for a possible peace summit in future with no exact date yet fixed, the official said.

Persons: Alexander Ermochenko, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, Ian Borg, Borg, Simon Mordue, Bjorn Seibert, Christopher Scicluna, Elaine Monaghan, Andrew Gray, Olena, David Evans, Mike Harrison Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, United Nations, YouTube, Malta's, European Union, United, United Arab Emirates, European, European Commission, EU, Thomson Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Donetsk, Russian, Rights VALLETTA, Malta, Israel, Kyiv, Jeddah, Copenhagen, China, Egypt, United Arab, Armenia, Mexico, Washington, Brussels

EU leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have visited the Middle East to express solidarity with Israel and bolster diplomatic efforts to prevent the conflict spiralling into a regional war. "These developments require our immediate attention, without distracting us from our continued support to Ukraine." The EU and its member countries have provided billions of euros in assistance to Ukraine since Russian forces invaded in February last year. At the summit, the leaders will have their first debate on that budget package, which diplomats expect to be contentious. "It's hard to ask for more money for the EU budget when national budgets are getting squeezed," said one EU diplomat.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz, Charles Michel, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Julia Payne, Philip Blenkinsop, Jan Strupczewski, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Union, Ukraine, Hamas, EU, Diplomats, French, European Council, Kyiv, year's, European Commission, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Israel, Brussels, Palestinian, Gaza, Europe, Ukraine, Russian, United States, EU

☆ Israel-Hamas war: Here’s why Israel’s ground offensive in Gaza hasn’t happened yet
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Ashkelon, Israel’s border with Gaza CNN —The lines of tanks, self-propelled artillery, armoured vehicles and army bulldozers stretch across the horizon near Israel’s border with Gaza. Israeli tanks are seen positioned near the border with Gaza, in southern Israel, on October 22. Gaza has been under blockade by Israel and Egypt for years, but after the Hamas attack, Israel also cut off its electricity, food, water and fuel supplies. The brutality of the Hamas attack sparked a huge wave of solidarity among Israel’s allies. Meanwhile on the Gaza border, the troops remain ready.

Persons: Violeta Santos Moura, Reuters Yocheved Lifshitz, Alexi J . Rosenfeld, –, Joe Biden, Rishi Sunak, Olaf Scholz, Emmanuel Macron, Biden, Israel, Hassan Nasrallah, Stephane Dujarric, General António Guterres, Guterres ’, Antonio Guterres, Seth Wenig, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, ”, “ Organizations: Gaza CNN, Israel Defence Forces, Hamas, IDF, Reuters, Ichilov, Getty, British, CNN, UN, United, United Nations, UN Security, AP Australia, European Union, European Council Locations: Ashkelon, Israel’s, Gaza, Israel, Mexico, Brazil, United States, Germany, Thailand, Tel Aviv, United Nations, jazeera, gaza, Lebanon, Iran, Jihad, United, Egypt, European

For a Biden administration committed to stopping the Israel-Hamas war from widening, the conflict could amplify the economic strains and possibly cause governments to collapse. “Let’s support Egypt," Michel told reporters afterward. One major potential setback for Egypt stemming from the latest Israel-Hamas War would be the loss of tourists seeking to explore the country's ancient pyramids and history. Tourism is one of Egypt's leading economic sectors, and along with foreign investment provides needed access to the rest of the global economy. Before the latest Israel-Hamas war, some officials had pointed to Lebanon’s rebounding tourism industry as an economic lifeline.

Persons: Joe Biden, Christopher Swift, Ajay Banga, Charles Michel, Michel, Abdel Fattah el, Sissi, Israel, ”, Swift, ” Swift, it's, Mubarak, Moody’s, Mirette, Mabrouk, ” Mabrouk, Paul Salem, Abby Sewell Organizations: WASHINGTON, Hamas, International Monetary Fund, European Union, reverberations, Treasury Department, European Council, el, IMF, Tourism, Associated, World Bank, U.S, Middle East Institute Locations: Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Gaza, Sudan, East, Hamas, United States, Qatar, Washington, Beirut

☆ EU to call for "humanitarian pause" in Israel-Hamas war - draft eu summit conclusions
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BRUSSELS, Oct 23 (Reuters) - European Union leaders will call this week for a "humanitarian pause" in the Israel-Hamas war so that humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza can safely reach those in need, draft conclusions of an EU summit showed. Leaders of the 27 countries that make up the European Union will meet in Brussels on Thursday and Friday, in what is called a European Council, and the situation in the Middle East will be high on their agenda. "The European Council supports the call of UNSG Guterres for a humanitarian pause in order to allow for safe humanitarian access and aid to reach those in need," the draft conclusiions of the summit showed. "The European Union will work closely with partners in the region to protect civilians, support those who are trying to get to safety or provide assistance, and facilitate access to food, water, medical care, fuel and shelter. It reiterates the need for the immediate release of all hostages without any precondition," said the draft, seen by Reuters.

Persons: Jan Strupczewski Organizations: Union, European Union, European Council, European, Reuters, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Israel, Gaza, Brussels

☆ Israeli doctors saved the life of Hamas leader, whom they now blame for the October 7 terrorist attacks, when he was in prison, reports say
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( Nathan Rennolds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Yahya Sinwar has been Hamas's leader in Gaza and a member of its political bureau since 2017. Sinwar has spent 24 years in prison and has been arrested by Israel multiple times, per the report. Israeli doctors reportedly saved his life after operating on a brain tumor during one prison stint. AdvertisementAdvertisementIsraeli doctors saved the life of Hamas' Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar when he was in prison in the country, Orit Adato, Israel's former prison commissioner, said, The Times of Israel reported. He has spent 24 years in prison and has been arrested by Israel multiple times, per the think tank.

Persons: Yahya Sinwar, Sinwar, —, Hamas, Orit, Adato, Avi Issacharoff, Al, Gilad Shalit, Din, Hatem Ali, Richard Hecht, Deif, Michael Milshtein, Yahya Ibrahim Hassan Sinwar, Khan Younis, Gazans Organizations: Service, The, Hamas, European Council, Foreign Relations, Brigades, Kfar, AP, Wall Street, IDF, Jewish Virtual Library, Islamic, of, US Department of State Locations: Gaza, Israel, Al Jazeera, Kfar Azza, of Gaza

Michel suggested no deal was imminent when he told reporters the two sides needed to find "mutually beneficial" solutions. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai met with European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis on Thursday, a third source told Reuters. Michel told reporters it was a critical time for the United States and the EU to "stick together" on their shared values and commitment to democracy given the Israel-Hamas conflict. It is still to be seen if this will end the U.S. tariffs threat or just see an extended suspension. Given the EU needs such materials itself for its green transition, the positive impact for the bloc may be limited.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Joe Biden, Charles Michel, Michel, von der Leyen, Katherine Tai, Valdis Dombrovskis, Donald Trump, Bernd Lange, Philip Blenkinsop, Alexandra Hudson, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: WASHINGTON, European Union, Trump, Commission, U.S, European, . Trade, EU, Washington, World Trade Organization, United, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, United States, Israel, Gaza, Ukraine, Europe, North America, China, Brussels, U.S, Washington, Friday's

☆ Morning Bid: Bond squeeze abates as Middle East war in focus
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

A street sign for Wall Street hangs in front of the New York Stock Exchange May 8, 2013. Dallas Fed cheif Lorie Logan added overnight that recent data and bond yield moves gave the central bank space. Reactions in the market were curious, however, with implied Fed policy rates in the futures market and two-year Treasury yields easing back even as 10-year yields chomped at the 5% bit. The resulting further disinversion of the yield curve to show the gap between two and 10-year yields at its lowest in a year is some testament to that. But with another nervous weekend around the Israel-Gaza war ahead, when markets are closed or illiquid, Friday trading has shifted the focus back to short-term safety hedges.

Persons: Lucas Jackson, Mike Dolan, Jerome Powell's, Powell, Lorie Logan, Huntington, Loretta Mester, Patrick Harker, Joe Biden, Charles Michel, Ursula von der Leyen, Elaine Hardcastle Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Treasury, Atlanta Federal, Dallas Fed, Bank of Japan, L'Oreal, American Express, Interpublic, Schlumberger, Cleveland Federal, Philadelphia Fed, European Council, European Commission Reuters Graphics Reuters Graphics, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Thomson, Reuters Locations: U.S, Israel, Gaza, Europe, China, Comerica, Huntington Bancshares, Washington

☆ Cairo Peace Summit on Gaza conflict: who will attend?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Members of the military stand guard as people take part in a protest in support of Palestinians, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Old Cairo, Egypt, October 20, 2023. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany Acquire Licensing RightsOct 20 (Reuters) - Egypt is planning to host an international conference on Saturday to discuss the escalating war between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza. The list of attendees expected so far at the Cairo Peace Summit include:Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-SisiPalestinian President Mahmoud AbbasJordanian King AbdullahBahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al KhalifaKuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-SabahItalian Prime Minister Giorgia MeloniSpanish Prime Minister Pedro SanchezGreek Prime Minister Kyriakos MitsotakisCypriot President Nikos ChristodoulidesSouth African President Cyril RamaphosaGerman Foreign Minister Annalena BaerbockFrench Foreign Minister Catherine ColonnaJapanese Foreign Minister Yoko KamikawaBritish Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs James CleverlyNorwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth EideUnited Nations Secretary-General Antonio GuterresEuropean Council President Charles MichelEuropean Union foreign policy chief Josep BorrellReporting by Reuters bureaus; Editing by Edmund Blair, Gareth Jones and Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mohamed Abd El Ghany, Abdel Fattah al, Mahmoud Abbas, Mahmoud Abbas Jordanian King Abdullah, Mahmoud Abbas Jordanian King Abdullah Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Mahmoud Abbas Jordanian King Abdullah Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al, Ahmad al, Giorgia, Pedro Sanchez, Kyriakos, Nikos Christodoulides, Cyril Ramaphosa, Annalena Baerbock, Catherine Colonna Japanese, Yoko Kamikawa, Foreign Affairs James, Espen Barth Eide, Antonio, Charles Michel, Josep Borrell, Edmund Blair, Gareth Jones, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Hamas, REUTERS, Palestinian, Cairo Peace, Pedro Sanchez Greek, State, Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide United Nations, Charles Michel European Union, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Old Cairo, Egypt, Gaza, Cairo, Mahmoud Abbas Jordanian, Mahmoud Abbas Jordanian King Abdullah Bahraini, Mahmoud Abbas Jordanian King Abdullah Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Kuwaiti Crown, Sabah Italian, Spanish, Norwegian

☆ EU only wants free trade deal with India that gives it 'real' market access
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

VALENCIA, Spain Oct 20 (Reuters) - European Union member states want to close a free trade deal with India, but only if it grants real access to the Asian country's markets, Spanish Deputy Trade Minister Xiana Mendez said on Friday at an EU meeting chaired by her country. "There is an enormous interest from the member states, but only if there will be an access to the real market, without which the deal would be emptied." The European Union also expects to reach an agreement with the United States on steel trade by the end of the year, said Mendez. The main proposal is to finalise the deal with the United States before the end of the year," she said. Reporting by Belen Carreno and Inti Landauro, editing by Andrei Khalip and Susan FentonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Xiana Mendez, We've, Mendez, Donald Trump, Belen Carreno, Inti, Andrei Khalip, Susan Fenton Organizations: Union, Trade, European Council, EU, United, U.S, Thomson Locations: VALENCIA, Spain, India, EU, Spanish, Valencia, United States, Washington, China

The Oval Office sit-down comes at a moment when domestic U.S. political chaos could further destabilize an increasingly chaotic world. One day ahead of his meeting with Biden, European Council President Charles Michel expressed optimism that Biden can deliver on his promises to help arm and financially support Ukraine. But some House Republicans have questioned the value of aid to Ukraine at the levels sought by Biden. Republican lawmakers have failed to find a successor, leading to concerns that Biden's commitments with the EU could be in jeopardy. We put all that at risk if we walk away from Ukraine, if we turn our backs on Israel."

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Biden's, Biden, Charles Michel, “ I’m, Joe Biden’s, ” Michel, “, Michel, Ursula von der Leyen, Joe, ”, Donald Trump's, Federico Steinberg, ” Steinberg, Von der Leyen, von der Leyen, ” von der Leyen, ” Biden, There’s, Kevin McCarthy, Raf Casert Organizations: WASHINGTON, European Union, The, EU, European, Hamas, Israel, Center for Strategic, International Studies, U.S, World Trade Organization, Hudson Institute, Russia, Associated Press, Republicans, GOP, Republican Locations: United States, Ukraine, Israel, Russia, U.S, China, EU, Europe, Washington, Kyiv, “, Mexico, Taiwan, Brussels

☆ Ukraine ally Poland is moving to the political center. And that's bad news for Russia's Putin
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

It has taken in more than a million refugees from its close ally Ukraine since the start of the war, with many more millions passing through it. Its relations with Ukraine have soured in recent months, partly because of a dispute over the impact of Ukrainian grain imports on local farmers. Tian also expects the result to "reposition Poland as a staunch supporter of Ukraine" and for Tusk to push for EU accession for Ukraine. "The big thing to bear in mind when looking at Poland and Ukraine is they have an overarching strategic common interest [challenging Russian aggression], and this supersedes everything. So it will be difficult to restore relations to how they were in the first 18 months of the war, regardless of what Poland does."

Persons: Donald Tusk, Donald Tusk —, —, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, Tusk, Tian, Aleks Szczerbiak, Szczerbiak Organizations: Civic, Getty, EU, Justice, CNBC, NATO, World Trade Organization, Law, Nurphoto, European, Economist Intelligence Unit, University of Sussex, Confederation, Soviet, Russia Locations: Warsaw, Moscow, Ukraine, Europe, Russia, China, India, Poland, Warsaw's, Krakow, Central Europe, Hungary, Slovakia, Berlin

☆ Egypt peace summit may struggle to foster unity on Gaza conflict
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Israeli soldiers patrol an area near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel October 19, 2023. The hastily-convened Cairo Peace Summit as the conflict still rages will bring together several Arab and European heads of state and government, alongside foreign ministers. They will meet as Israel readies a ground assault on Gaza following the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas that killed 1,400 people. More than 4,100 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's counteroffensive, amid a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The summit is scheduled to be opened by the Egyptian president at 10 a.m. Saturday (0700 GMT).

Persons: Amir Cohen, Zhai Jun, Mikhail Bogdanov, Olaf Scholz, Rishi Sunak, Emmanuel Macron, Charles Michel, Josep Borrell, Abdel Fattah al, Sisi, Jordan's King Abdullah, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden's, William Maclean, Edmund Blair, Philippa Fletcher, Diane Craft Organizations: REUTERS, Cairo Peace Summit, British, EU, European, Israel, U.S, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Israel's, Gaza, Israel, Egypt, U.S, Cairo, China, Middle, Russia, United States, EU, Washington, Lebanon, Iranian, Rafah, Sinai

U.S. President Joe Biden attends a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (not pictured), as he visits Israel amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 18, 2023. Biden noted at the start of the meeting that the EU and the U.S. were standing together to support Israel and Ukraine, but would also discuss ways to address "unfairly traded steel and aluminum imports" and talks about critical minerals. Trade negotiators had scrambled on Thursday to avoid the U.S. resuming import tariffs on EU steel and aluminum imposed by then-President Donald Trump in 2018, ultimately agreeing to keep the tariffs at bay while they keep talking. "We look forward to continuing to make progress on these important objectives in the next two months," it said. The joint statement cited progress toward a "targeted" deal, and said the leaders looked forward to continuing negotiations in the coming weeks.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Evelyn Hockstein, Washington, Charles Michel, Ursula von der Leyen, Biden, Michel, Donald Trump, Andrea Shalal, Jeff Mason, Jarrett Renshaw, Heather Timmons, Jonathan Oatis, Alistair Bell, Marguerita Choy Organizations: Israeli, Hamas, REUTERS, Rights, European Union, White, Senior U.S, European, European Commission, Ukraine, EU, ., Trade, United Steelworkers, Biden, Trump, Washington, World Trade Organization, U.S, Thomson Locations: Israel, Tel Aviv, U.S, Ukraine, China, Brussels, Washington, North America, Europe

U.S. President Joe Biden will host Michel and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen on Friday to show unity toward Ukraine, but with trade irritants souring ties. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai met with European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis on Thursday, and the two countries' trade negotiators were meeting around the clock. Michel told reporters it was a critical time for the United States and the EU to "stick together" on shared values and commitment to democracy, especially given the escalating crisis in the Middle East, which threatens to overshadow the long-planned summit. It is still to be seen if this will end the U.S. tariffs threat or just see an extended suspension. Given the EU needs such materials itself for its green transition, the positive impact for the bloc may be limited.

Persons: Charles Michel, Joe Biden, Michel, Ursula von der Leyen, von der Leyen, Katherine Tai, Valdis Dombrovskis, Donald Trump, Bernd Lange, Philip Blenkinsop, Alexandra Hudson, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: European Union, EU, European Commission, Trump, . Trade, European, Washington, World Trade Organization, United, U.S, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, WASHINGTON, United States, Ukraine, China, Brussels, U.S, Washington, North America

☆ Hospital Blast Seen Likely Derailing Israel-Saudi Diplomatic Deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Some political analysts say the Al-Ahli Arab hospital explosion likely derails any hoped-for diplomatic deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Cinzia Bianco, a researcher focusing on the Gulf at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said she expects a Saudi-Israel deal will be shelved for years. “Right now, it’s politically impossible,” she said. Despite emerging evidence that Israel wasn't responsible for the hospital blast, analysts say it is unlikely to change minds in the Arab world, which largely supports the Palestinians and is hostile to Israel.

Persons: Cinzia Bianco, ”, Israel wasn't Organizations: European Council, Foreign Relations Locations: Ahli, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Saudi

☆ EU Leaders Warn That Kremlin Seeking to Exploit Israel-Gaza Crisis to Its Advantage
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The European Union’s two top officials warned that Russia is seeking to take advantage of the conflict between Israel and Gaza, using it to claim double standards in the West about respect for international law. European Council President Charles Michel said that underscored why it was important for European governments to urge Israel to act carefully in its military response to the Hamas attack, just as they have pointed to Russia’s breach of international law in attacking Ukraine.

Persons: Charles Michel, Israel Locations: Russia, Israel, Gaza, Ukraine

BRUSSELS, Oct 17 (Reuters) - European Union leaders aim on Tuesday to settle on a united approach to the crisis triggered by the Hamas attack on Israel after days of confusion, infighting and mixed messaging. Some officials and lawmakers also criticized von der Leyen, who visited Israel on Friday, for not declaring that the EU expects Israel to abide by international humanitarian law in its response to the attack, as other EU leaders did. Von der Leyen stated that position publicly for the first time at the weekend. Commission officials have insisted von der Leyen had already conveyed the message privately to Israeli officials and defended her swift visit to Israel as an important sign of solidarity. The EU leaders are likely to task ministers with exploring potential risks in more detail, according to officials.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Charles Michel, Von der, von der Leyen, Von der Leyen, der Leyen, Michel, John Irish, Andrew Gray, Howard Goller Organizations: Union, European Council, EU, European, Von der Leyen's, Israel, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Israel, Gaza, Europe

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