Versailles

Amid the pomp, and the grandness of the setting for an EU summit in Versailles, few breakthroughs were seen on how to rein in Russia's aggression in Ukraine ...

"We have to defend democracy, and stop Russian neo-imperialism," he said, explaining that Europe was relying on Ukraine to fight on its behalf to safeguard democracy. "What do we have to lose?" The EU would "take more responsibility" for Europe's security and "contribute positively to global and transatlantic security and is complementary to NATO," the leaders were expected to say. EU leaders were also expected to refer to a part of the EU treaty, which says that if "a member state is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other member states shall have towards it an obligation of aid and assistance by all the means in their power." EU leaders were expected to say in their final declaration that Russia had "grossly" violated international law and to call for the country to "be held to account for" a "war of aggression." EU leaders were expected to agree to increase military spending and cooperation, and to agree to phase out dependence on Russian fossil resources, as they've been discussing for days.

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The two-day meeting kicked is hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, whose country currently holds the EU Council's rotating presidency. Macron said the ...

Even if the meeting is informal and no official conclusions will be taken, the stage gives the occasion an air of solemnity and grandeur. The plans offered new measures to deal with soaring electricity bills, like regulated price caps and redistribution of windfall profits. However, political willpower is intensifying to speed up the move away from Russian energy. Western countries are increasingly concerned that the enormous amount of money they send Russia to import energy is indirectly financing the war in Ukraine. The 27 will also take stock of the situation inside Ukraine, the humanitarian crisis and Kyiv's application to join the EU via a fast-tracked procedure, an unheard-of option. In the US, President Joe Biden has already imposed a total ban on Russian imports.

Latvia, Poland and Lithuania advocated for a European Union ban on Russian energy imports at an EU leaders' summit in Versailles on Thursday despite...

Greece and Spain are also calling for an overhaul of the EU's energy market to address prices. Moscow's recent threats to suspend gas supplies have injected urgency into the discussions. But to become a member, you have to respect the process," De Croo added. "It's not enough – we need to identify together what could be the following steps ... in order to get a cease-fire as soon as possible." A statement of summit conclusions also poured cold water on Ukrainian hopes for quick accession. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a cap on energy prices in the bloc, rising as a result of the war, to EU leaders at the summit. Macron said before entering the summit venue, adding that he would speak again with Putin within the next few hours. We should consistently keep working with them," he said. The first day of the two-day event in Versailles was to focus on bolstering the bloc against the economic impact of the war and how to wean the EU off Russian energy imports, which account for more than 40% of its overall consumption. A large majority of EU leaders support sending a strong message to Ukraine that it will be granted membership in the European Union eventually, Slovenia's Prime Minister Janez Jansa said on Friday. Latvia, Poland and Lithuania advocated for a European Union ban on Russian energy imports at an EU leaders' summit in Versailles on Thursday despite the risk to unity within the European Union vis-a-vis Russia's military operation in Ukraine. The aim of the embargo would be to deprive the Russian state of its main source of income for financing the war against Ukraine.