The March European Council summit is underway in Brussels. EU leaders are expected to address the situation in Iran, the EU's strategic competitiveness, migration, and more.
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After some delay, EU leaders are now ready to begin discussions, following a minute’s silence for the victims of Spain’s train crashes.
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Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said EU leaders must give Denmark and Greenland “full backing in principle and in practice” as transatlantic tensions have flared over Greenland.
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"If the Danish government will ask us for help, we are always ready to commit to NATO," Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa told the press before meeting her colleagues tonight.
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Transatlantic ties bruised, not broken, Kallas says:
The EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, acknowledged a “big blow” to transatlantic ties over the past week, but stressed Europe won’t scrap “80 years of good relations” over current disputes.
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Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said Trump’s remarks at the World Economic forum helped de-escalate tensions over Greenland after he ruled out the use of coercion, easing pressure on Denmark and its Arctic territory.
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"I am strongly against bold actions, because I still treat the United States as our closest friend," said Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda.
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Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker admitted that the transatlantic partnership is going through a difficult phase as he arrived in the Council building.
“Only time will tell whether the damage is temporary".
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Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said he was "very happy" that the "very difficult situation" with the US has been resolved.
However, Orpo warned that Europe should remain "ready to use" its trade tools "if needed".
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"We have to work together respectfully, without threatening each other," said Denmark's Frederiksen when asked whether she trusts the US.
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Poland's Tusk warns that Ukraine is being pushed “into the background” of Western geopolitical priorities, calling it “very bad news” for Europe’s security.
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Merz takes the stage:
"It has been shown that unity and determination can make a difference,” Germany's Merz said, adding he is grateful that Trump has backed down on plans to acquire Greenland by force and his proposed tariffs on eight European countries.
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Tusk calls for broader European unity amid ‘stormy’ geopolitics:
“When I say Europe, I mean not only the EU,” Tusk said, praising cooperation with “the UK, Canada, Norway, and Iceland” as “exemplary.”
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Ireland backs UN over Trump for Gaza:
Ireland is "anxious to contribute" to help Gaza, but only through the United Nations, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin said, when asked about Trump's flagship Board of Peace.
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Poland's Tusk is the first leader to arrive at the Council building and speak to reporters, followed by Ireland's Martin and Germany's Merz.
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A special European Council summit focused on EU-US relations is due to start at 7pm in Brussels.
Stay with us for live, up-to-the-minute coverage as the meeting unfolds.
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Hopes rise of Ukraine decision tonight.
Ireland's Europe Minister Thomas Byrne told Euractiv there was "constructive engagement going on" to find a solution for Ukraine's finances.
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As EU leaders continue their talks, the farmer protests that erupted this morning have gradually died down outside.
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Italian PM Giorgia Meloni asks Brazilian President Lula da Silva for more time to placate farmers opposed to EU-Mercosur deal.
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EU leaders set to receive new draft approving reparation loans for Ukraine, an EU official said.
For now, the talks focus solely on the “reparation loans” proposal, not on the possibility of issuing joint EU debt.
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The EU leaders' meeting has resumed after a break. Next stop on the agenda: a discussion on the Middle East.
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The end product of 5 months of Denmark-led budget negotiations, the Council's "negotiating box," will not be rejected by the European Council.
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Zelenskyy pushes back on Belgium’s resistance to using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine: “Morality and justice should prevail… In my view, it’s absolutely just.”
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Tractors rolled into Brussels as farmers protest EU budget reform and Mercosur trade deal. 10,000 demonstrators demand CAP support as leaders meet.
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Montenegro narrowly avoided a slowdown in its EU accession after France raised last-minute objections over agriculture and fisheries alignment. Paris later dropped its demands.
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EU leaders call enlargement a “strategic investment in peace, security and prosperity” after talks with Western Balkan countries. Serbia skipped the meeting.
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Zelenskyy after meeting Belgian PM De Wever: “I said everything I wanted to say.” Talks focused on Belgium’s opposition to using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine. “Was it productive? We’ll see.”
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Zelenskyy urges EU to act fast: “Frozen Russian assets shouldn’t stay in Russian hands… A decision is needed before year-end.” Ukraine faces a €135bn shortfall over 2026-27.
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European Parliament President Roberta Metsola warns against sidelining MEPs as the Commission leans on article 122 to freeze Russian assets for a €210bn Ukraine loan.
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Lunch at #EUCO: Reparations loan to Ukraine dominated EU leader’s arrival remarks, with comments also on the EU-Mercosur trade pact, as protesting farmers flowed into the EU quarter.
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