Russia: Annual conference of Vladimir Putin

Zelensky and Putin issue warnings to each other and Europe

On December 19, Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelinsky both gave addresses. In the morning, the Russian president spoke during his annual press conference, broadcast on television. He once again blamed the Ukrainian authorities for the war that has been raging for four years. A few hours later, it...

Ukraine can now invest in ramping up its drone production thanks to EU loan, says Zelensky

The news that the EU will be loaning Ukraine €90 billion for the next two years is good news for the country, who is spends most of its tax revenue on defence to fight off the Russian invasion. Volodymyr Zelensky said the money will help the country invest in ramping up the production of innovati...

More than 1,000 patients have died awaiting evacuation from Gaza since July 2024

The WHO and its partners have evacuated more than 10,600 patients from Gaza with severe health conditions, including more than 5,600 children, since the start of the war, the head of the UN health agency said Friday, adding that 1,092 patients are known to have died while awaiting medical evacuati...

Switzerland goes bunkers as citizens revamp fallout shelters

Despite being a neutral country, Switzerland counts hundreds of thousands of fallout shelters – enough to accommodate its entire population in the event of armed conflict. This culture of civil protection is a legacy of the Cold War. Now the war in Ukraine has revived interest in Switzerland'...

UN declares famine over in Gaza, says 'situation remains critical'

A famine declared in Gaza in August is now over thanks to improved access for humanitarian aid, the United Nations said on Friday, but warned the food situation in the Palestinian territory remained dire....

Russia's Putin says it is up to Ukraine and its allies to end hostilities

At his annual press conference on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the ball was in Kyiv and its allies' court to end the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin chief also said he was certain that Moscow would take more cities and towns in eastern Ukraine before the end of the year. ...

New EU loan to Ukraine was 'not what most EU member states wanted'

EU countries have announced they will raise a joint €90 billion loan on the capital markets to financially help Ukraine. But the announcement is not the deal that most EU member states hoped for, which initially meant using frozen Russian assets. The loan will be guaranteed by the common EU budge...

Rwandan stadiums, the new refuge of Sudanese football in exile

Forced into exile by the war tearing its country apart since April 2023, Sudanese football has found an unexpected new home… in Kigali. The country’s two biggest clubs, Al-Hilal and Al-Merrikh, have been invited to join the Rwandan Premier League for the 2025–2026 season. It’s an unpreceden...

Vladimir Putin hails recent gains in Ukraine at annual press marathon

Russian President Vladimir Putin opened his year-end news conference on December 19, an event that will be closely watched for his response to the U.S.-backed peace plan for Ukraine. Putin reaffirmed that Moscow was ready for a peaceful settlement that would address the “root causes” of the con...

The EU agrees to help Ukraine financially without Russian assets

All eyes were on Brussels as EU leaders met for a make-or-break summit  to find a way to lend billions of euros to Ukraine. But as Belgium pushed back against the use of frozen Russian assets, demanding guarantees against potential repercussions from Russia, the EU settled on another plan: a €90...

EU leaders agree on €90 billion loan to Ukraine as 'plan B' to use of Russian assets

European Union leaders agreed on December 19 to provide a €90 billion interest-free loan to Ukraine. The joint borrowing will cover two-thirds of the country's financial needs for the next two years. Although hailed by several European leaders as a clear sign that the block stays behind Ukraine,...

Live: Vladimir Putin says Russia advancing on all parts of front, praises gains in Ukraine

EU agrees to €90 billion loan for Ukraine, without frozen Russian assets

European leaders on Friday decided to finance Ukraine's war effort for at least two years through a joint loan of €90 billion, without resorting to Russian assets due to a lack of agreement. Kyiv was at risk of running out of money as early as the first quarter of 2026....

EU targets 41 additional vessels in Russia's shadow fleet

The European Union on Thursday imposed sanctions on 41 more ships in Russia's shadow fleet, taking the total of designated vessels to almost 600. The EU has imposed 19 packages of sanctions against Russia so far, but Moscow has managed to adapt to most measures and is still selling millions of barr...

Trump administration imposes sanctions on two more ICC judges for investigating Israel

The International Criminal Court slammed a "flagrant attack" on its independence on Thursday after the United States imposed sanctions on two more judges over their role in investigating Israeli officials for possible war crimes in Gaza. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces an ICC...

'This night may show us whether Europe is capable of being a real leader'

As discussions on the use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine continue at the EU summit in Brussels, Ukrainian MP Lisa Yasko tells FRANCE 24 that 'this evening, this night may show us whether Europe is capable of being a real leader or fear of Russia will win' adding that 'this is a decision not o...

Decision time in Brussels: Will EU ignore threats and seize frozen Russian assets?

Some brand it "the most crucial EU summit" since the financial crisis of 2008; a last chance to stave off bankruptcy for a Ukrainian government that might run out of money by the end of spring. But where will the money come from? ...

Ukraine: Kharkiv tries to give its youngest a normal life

Only forty kilometres away from Russia, the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv is a regular target of Russian air attacks. Still, it tries to give its children and teenagers a somewhat normal life. #ukraine #ukrainewar #russia...

Are Trump, the Gulf states and Russia meddling in Italy's top newspapers change of ownership?

Two of Italy’s top newspapers, La Repubblica and La Stampa, are likely to be sold to Greek media tycoon Theodore Kyriakou, whose political and business links abroad have sparked concern over editorial independence. The proposed sale, which involves foreign investment from Gulf allies and has draw...

‘Ukraine needs this money’ : Zelensky is in Brussels for talks on Russian assets

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was in Brussels for a key European Union summit, where EU leaders faced a critical decision on the use of frozen Russian assets. Zelensky urged the bloc to release the funds to support Ukraine, warning that without this financial assistance, the country risks...

For the Brazilian President, signing the Mercosur-EU deal is 'now or never'

As Europe hesitates over the Mercosur agreement, Brazilian President Lula has shown signs of frustration with a deal '37 years in the making'. He warned it was 'now or never' to sign, saying there would be no further opportunities during his term in office. FRANCE 24's Tom Vickery has the details f...

EU leaders urge swift decision on frozen Russian funds for Ukraine

EU leaders are split in Brussels over using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine. Poland backs urgent action, while Belgium resists over legal and financial risks. Ukraine is pressing for a decision by year’s end....

EU kicks off crunch summit on Russian asset plan for Ukraine

EU leaders kicked off a make-or-break summit Thursday on using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine, with key player Belgium under pressure to drop its opposition. The 27 nation bloc is scrambling to bolster its ally Ukraine, as US President Donald Trump pushes for a deal with President Vladimir P...

EU-Mercosur deal hangs in balance amid farmer concerns

Brazilian President Lula has warned the EU to sign the long-delayed EU-Mercosur trade deal now or risk losing Brazil’s participation altogether. France and Italy are blocking progress over concerns about protecting their agricultural sectors, while supporters such as Germany and Spain argue the d...

EU leaders split over using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine

EU leaders meet in Brussels to decide on using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine. Germany backs the move, while Zelensky urges action. The EU proposes a €90 billion loan, but Belgium opposes, fearing Russian retaliation. Moscow calls it theft....

Farmers protest Mercosur deal in Brussels

Hundreds of farmers in tractors protested in Brussels against the EU-Mercosur trade deal, disrupting the EU summit. Some countries pushed for stronger agricultural safeguards, while others backed the deal to boost exports. Brazil’s President Lula warned the EU that the deal must be signed now or...

Live: Zelensky says Ukraine needs a decision on Russian assets by end of year

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told a summit of European leaders on Thursday that his country needed a decision this year on a plan to use Russian assets to plug Ukraine's budget gap. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen earlier said EU leaders would not leave the Brussels summit...

US Congress ends Assad-era Syria sanctions, opening door to investment

The US Congress has voted to permanently repeal sweeping sanctions imposed on Syria under former leader Bashar al Assad, clearing the way for foreign investment and marking a significant shift in Washington’s policy towards the war-ravaged country following the rise of a new government....

US 'pressuring' EU not to use frozen Russian assets for Kyiv, Ukraine official says

The Trump administration is seeking to discourage European countries from using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine's war effort, a senior Ukrainian official said Wednesday, adding that President Volodymyr Zelensky would lobby Kyiv's European allies to tap the Russian assets at an EU summit in...

Oscars to stream exclusively on YouTube in 2029, leaving longtime home ABC

The Academy Awards will be shown only on YouTube from 2029, in a radical gambit for a movie industry that remains wary of streaming platforms even as viewing habits shift online. The US broadcaster ABC's contract to broadcast the Oscars is set to end in 2028, with the 100th Academy Awards....