\n<\/p>\n
Pjotr Sauer<\/span><\/p>\n Russian affairs reporter<\/em><\/p>\n Meanwhile, Russia\u2019s<\/strong> Vladimir Putin on Wednesday lashed out at European leaders, deriding them as \u201clittle pigs\u201d, and said Russia would achieve its territorial goals in Ukraine either through diplomacy or by military force.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/span>Russian president Vladimir Putin speaks during an expanded meeting of the Defence Ministry Board at the National Defence Control Centre in Moscow, Russia.<\/span> Photograph: Alexander Kazakov\/SPUTNIK\/KREMLIN\/EPA<\/p>\n Speaking at an annual meeting with the defence ministry, Putin said the aims of what Moscow calls its \u201cspecial military operation\u201d would be met \u201cunconditionally\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cIf they do not want a substantive discussion,\u201d he said, \u201cthen Russia will liberate its historical lands on the battlefield.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Putin claimed that the previous US administration had \u201cdeliberately steered the situation towards an armed conflict\u201d<\/strong>, adding that Washington believed Russia could be weakened or even destroyed in a short period of time.<\/p>\n He then lashed out at European leaders, accusing them of joining in with Joe Biden\u2019s administration.<\/strong> \u201cEurope\u2019s little pigs immediately joined in the work of the previous American administration, hoping to profit from the collapse of our country,\u201d Putin said.<\/p>\n Putin\u2019s hardline comments<\/strong> came as US officials claimed that earlier talks with Ukraine in Berlin had resolved about 90% of the most difficult issues. But major doubts remain over whether the Russian leader is prepared to compromise on his sweeping demands.<\/strong><\/p>\n Putin has repeatedly insisted that Kyiv cede the remaining parts of the eastern Donbas region still under Ukrainian control<\/strong> \u2013 a demand that the White House has at times appeared to endorse, but which Ukraine has flatly rejected. Moscow has also pushed for strict limits on Ukraine\u2019s military,<\/strong> a ban on western troops on Ukrainian territory, and an end to western military support.<\/p>\n The Russian leader on Wednesday also denied that Moscow was planning to invade Nato territory,<\/strong> claiming instead that the alliance had begun preparing for a possible military confrontation with Russia, with a view to 2030.<\/p>\n Share<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n 7m ago<\/p>\n Britain’s return to Erasmus 40 years on from scheme’s creation gets more enthusiastic comments than in 1987<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 1h ago<\/p>\n UK’s move to rejoin Erasmus+ ‘significant step’ for EU, UK universities, groups say<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 1h ago<\/p>\n Germany’s Merz says will work with EU partners to alleviate concerns on use of frozen Russian assets<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 2h ago<\/p>\n Merz calls for EU move on frozen assets to put pressure on Russia as he warns against Moscow’s ambitions<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 3h ago<\/p>\n EU’s use of Russian frozen funds needs ‘solid legal basis’ or we risk handing Putin ‘victory’, Meloni warns<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 3h ago<\/p>\n Confiscating Russian assets to fund Ukraine would be ‘declaration of war,’ Hungary’s Orb\u00e1n warns<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 4h ago<\/p>\n Putin calls European leaders ‘little pigs’ as he insists Russia will achieve its goals in Ukraine by diplomacy or force<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 4h ago<\/p>\n UK will demand \u00a32.5bn of Abramovich cash to be transferred to Ukraine fund, Starmer says, telling oligarch ‘pay up now’ or face court<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 4h ago<\/p>\n France will ‘firmly oppose’ EU-Mercosur deal, government spokesperson says<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 5h ago<\/p>\n UK rejoining Erasmus+ ‘strong signal in favour of closer cooperation’ in higher education, German universities chief says<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 5h ago<\/p>\n ‘Far from easy’ to get EU agreement on frozen Russian assets, Meloni says, as she hints at Mercosur deal delay<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 5h ago<\/p>\n No deal yet on exempting UK from new import taxes on carbon emissions of goods manufacturers outside EU<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 6h ago<\/p>\n Erasmus move ‘symbolic milestone in reset’ between EU, UK, German lawmaker says<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 6h ago<\/p>\n Share your views on the UK rejoining the EU Erasmus student exchange programe<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 7h ago<\/p>\n UK to rejoin EU\u2019s Erasmus student exchange programme<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 7h ago<\/p>\n ‘Big step forward,’ EU chiefs say as they welcome UK’s decision to rejoin Erasmus<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 7h ago<\/p>\n UK set to rejoin EU’s Erasmus scheme in 2027<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 7h ago<\/p>\n US looking at fresh sanctions on Russia’s energy sector to push it to negotiate with Ukraine – reports<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 8h ago<\/p>\n Who stands where on EU reparations loan for Ukraine?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 8h ago<\/p>\n Morning opening:<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n <\/span>Show key events only<\/p>\n Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Jason Rodrigues<\/span><\/p>\n The UK government\u2019s announcement that the EU\u2019s Erasmus scheme will reopen to UK students for the first time since Brexit marks a far more enthusiastic drive towards closer relations with Brussels than was evident when the scheme was devised in 1987.<\/strong><\/p>\n At the time, the Conservative government was accused by the <\/strong>European Economic Community of taking a very \u201cnarrow view\u201d<\/strong> and of being unwilling to \u201ctake its share of the cost\u201d of the proposed Erasmus programme, as reported by the Guardian.<\/p>\n <\/span>Guardian report of UK government clash with EEC over Erasmus programme, 30 Mar 1987<\/span> Photograph: GDN\/The Guardian<\/p>\n Although the UK signed up to the Erasmus scheme when it began in 1987, it withdrew after Brexit, with Boris Johnson claiming that the programme did not offer value for money.<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n Jakub Krupa<\/span><\/p>\n Meanwhile, EU and UK university umbrella groups have joined a number of voices <\/strong>(11:22, 12:14, 12:44) welcoming the UK\u2019s decision to rejoin the Erasmus+ programme from 2027,<\/strong> saying it was \u201ca significant step\u201d in strenghtening their post-Brexit cooperation.<\/p>\n In a joint statement, Universities UK<\/strong> and European University Association<\/strong> said the move would \u201copen transformative opportunities for thousands of students and staff.\u201d<\/p>\n Vivienne Stern, <\/strong>chief executive of Universities UK, said the industry looked forward to working with partners \u201cto ensure that the programme plays a pivotal role in rebuilding our international partnerships and delivers the best possible outcomes for the UK.\u201d<\/p>\n EUA\u2019s president Josep M. Garrell <\/strong>said the news was \u201can excellent early Christmas gift,\u201d welcoming \u201crestoring bridges between our universities.\u201d<\/p>\n He said:<\/p>\n \u201cThe benefits of Erasmus+ go far beyond financial support, promoting mutual understanding, respect and freedom \u2013 shared values that are more vital than ever in today\u2019s world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n The French umbrella group, France Universit\u00e9s, also said it was a welcome news,<\/strong> noting that \u201cthe UK became an active participant in the Erasmus programme soon after its launch in 1987, so the decision to associate again in 2027 will be a kind of 40th anniversary.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n They said they hoped the UK\u2019s return would give French students a chance to restart their \u201clifelong love affair\u201d with Britain.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cCompared with the Erasmus+ programme the UK withdrew from, however, the current Erasmus+ programme is more skills-oriented, so there is ample room for giving new orientations to our relationship with the UK through the programme.<\/strong>\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n Deborah Cole<\/span><\/p>\n in Berlin<\/em><\/p>\n Merz also said he would continue fighting to make up to \u20ac90bn in such assets \u201cusable for Ukraine\u2019s defence\u201d<\/strong>, despite continuing misgivings by key member states including Belgium, where most of the funds are parked.<\/p>\n <\/span>German chancellor Friedrich Merz addresses MPs at the Bundestag in Berlin.<\/span> Photograph: Odd Andersen\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n He said he took Belgium\u2019s concerns seriously. \u201cThat is why I am trying with our partners to alleviate them,\u201d<\/strong> arguing a plan by the European Commission, the EU\u2019s executive, was \u201cin perfect compliance with international law and international obligations\u201d.<\/p>\n Merz said it was \u201cinsufficient\u201d to neutralise \u201cRussia\u2019s war machinery with further sanctions\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cIt is not enough for Europe to keep up our financial support of Ukraine at the current level,\u201d he said. \u201cIt is not enough for us to throw all our political weight behind the peace negotiations.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n He put the odds of winning an agreement at \u201c50\/50\u201d<\/strong> in an interview with public television late Tuesday.<\/p>\n He also condemned Putin\u2019s rejection of his call on Monday for a Christmas truck in Ukraine \u201cnot to be topped in terms of cynicism\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n Jakub Krupa<\/span><\/p>\n Speaking in the Bundestag, Germany\u2019s Merz said it was essential for the EU to finalise its reparation loan to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine\u2019s defence to send \u201ca clear signal\u201d for Moscow.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/span>German chancellor Friedrich Merz addresses MPs at the Bundestag in Berlin.<\/span> Photograph: Odd Andersen\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n He said that European security \u201cis, and this is becoming particularly clear these days, inextricably linked to the fate and security of Ukraine.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cInextricably,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n Merz welcomed \u201ca great deal of diplomatic momentum\u201d in talks about ending the war,<\/strong> including the Berlin meeting earlier this week, but suggested that Russia\u2019s intentions continued to be confrontational, as it \u201cstrives to extend its sphere of influence far beyond its own territory.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Merz said that as a result, this week\u2019s European Council will have to make decisions \u201cof considerable consequence\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cIt is clear that the pressure on Putin must be increased even further in order to persuade him to engage in serious negotiations,\u201d<\/strong> he told lawmakers.<\/p>\n He said the intention was to end the war \u201cas quickly as possible,\u201d<\/strong> and not prolong the war, but the funds would keep Ukraine funded for the next two years if needed.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is precisely why we need the decision of the European heads of state and government, and I will personally advocate for such a decision, starting this evening in Brussels,<\/strong>\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Separately, he also said he would \u201ccontinue to advocate intensively\u201d for the EU leaders to back the Mercosur agreement<\/strong>, allowing the EU representatives to sign it in the coming days \u2013 despite opposition from France (13:15) and Italy (12:37).<\/p>\n He argued that if after more than 25 years of negotiations, the EU was to pull its support for the deal, it could question its credibility in trade talks.<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n Similarly, Italy\u2019s Giorgia Meloni is speaking in the Italian parliament (again),<\/strong> delivering a statement ahead of the European Council meeting tomorrow.<\/p>\n She largely repeats her earlier lines (12:37), saying that Italy is in favour of using frozen Russian assets, but \u201conly with a solid legal basis.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Meloni says that this caveat is important,<\/strong> because if the legal basis was shaky and Russia were able to challenge the use of funds, \u201cwe would be handing Russia its first victory\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/span>Premier Giorgia Meloni addresses the Italian Chamber of Deputies ahead of the upcoming European Council.<\/span> Photograph: Roberto Monaldo\/LaPresse\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n We are hoping to hear from German chancellor Friedrich Merz fairly soon<\/strong>, as he takes part in a similar session in the German Bundestag. Expect him to present a different argument, strongly in favour of the EU\u2019s proposed move.<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.08 EST<\/p>\n Meanwhile, we are also getting some more signals from other EU capitals on what (the more critical) heads of governments are thinking about the EU\u2019s plans on frozen Russian assets<\/strong> ahead of the crucial European Council summit starting tomorrow.<\/p>\n <\/span>Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n (R) arrives for a meeting with the European political party’s leaders ‘Patriots.eu’ ahead of the European Council in Brussels.<\/span> Photograph: Nicolas Tucat\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n did not hold back on his way to Brussels this morning,<\/strong> telling reporters that in his view taking Russian assets to fund Ukraine \u201ccannot be interpreted in any other way than as a declaration of war.\u201d<\/p>\n Orb\u00e1n has long been critical of the EU\u2019s position on Ukraine and repeatedly threatened to block further sanctions or other measures aimed to help Kyiv,<\/strong> with other capitals often criticising him for maintaining close contact with Moscow, including a trip to see Putin at the Kremlin last month.<\/p>\n <\/span>Russian president Vladimir Putin, right, and Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n shake hands during their meeting at the Senate Palace of the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia last month.<\/span> Photograph: Alexander Nemenov\/AP<\/p>\n Talking to reporters, he disclosed that he had recently written to Vladimir Putin asking him whether Russia would hit back at the EU<\/strong>, and he would consider how individual countries were to vote on the EU\u2019s controversial proposal before retaliation, getting a confirmation that was the plan.<\/p>\n Given Budapest\u2019s longstanding opposition and plain intention to vote against the plan, he claimed Hungary \u201chas protected ourselves.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Meanwhile, the new Czech prime minister, Andrej Babi\u0161, <\/strong>has also offered a bit more on his thinking about the issue of frozen Russian assets ahead of his first council meeting.<\/p>\n <\/span>Czech Republic’s prime minister Andrej Babi\u0161 speaks to journalists prior to a meeting with the leaders of the European political party ‘Patriots.eu’ ahead of the European Council in Brussels.<\/span> Photograph: Nicolas Tucat\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Speaking to reporters this morning, Babi\u0161 sounded very non-committal as he said the debate was not about whether to support Ukraine, but how. <\/strong><\/p>\n He said that the Czech government continues to support further financial assistance for Ukraine,<\/strong> but hinted that the would prefer to raise debt in financial markets rather than use frozen Russian assets, repeatedly referencing Belgium\u2019s legal concerns.<\/p>\n He said that in principle the Czech Republic could support the idea of using frozen assets, but only \u201cunder certain conditions\u201d<\/strong> that would address the Belgian concerns and without offering financial guarantees.<\/p>\n He also expressed his concerns that using frozen assets would inevitably prompt Russia to lash back at the EU and could disrupt the peace talks.<\/strong><\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n Pjotr Sauer<\/span><\/p>\n Russian affairs reporter<\/em><\/p>\n Meanwhile, Russia\u2019s<\/strong> Vladimir Putin on Wednesday lashed out at European leaders, deriding them as \u201clittle pigs\u201d, and said Russia would achieve its territorial goals in Ukraine either through diplomacy or by military force.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/span>Russian president Vladimir Putin speaks during an expanded meeting of the Defence Ministry Board at the National Defence Control Centre in Moscow, Russia.<\/span> Photograph: Alexander Kazakov\/SPUTNIK\/KREMLIN\/EPA<\/p>\n Speaking at an annual meeting with the defence ministry, Putin said the aims of what Moscow calls its \u201cspecial military operation\u201d would be met \u201cunconditionally\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cIf they do not want a substantive discussion,\u201d he said, \u201cthen Russia will liberate its historical lands on the battlefield.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Putin claimed that the previous US administration had \u201cdeliberately steered the situation towards an armed conflict\u201d<\/strong>, adding that Washington believed Russia could be weakened or even destroyed in a short period of time.<\/p>\n He then lashed out at European leaders, accusing them of joining in with Joe Biden\u2019s administration.<\/strong> \u201cEurope\u2019s little pigs immediately joined in the work of the previous American administration, hoping to profit from the collapse of our country,\u201d Putin said.<\/p>\n Putin\u2019s hardline comments<\/strong> came as US officials claimed that earlier talks with Ukraine in Berlin had resolved about 90% of the most difficult issues. But major doubts remain over whether the Russian leader is prepared to compromise on his sweeping demands.<\/strong><\/p>\n Putin has repeatedly insisted that Kyiv cede the remaining parts of the eastern Donbas region still under Ukrainian control<\/strong> \u2013 a demand that the White House has at times appeared to endorse, but which Ukraine has flatly rejected. Moscow has also pushed for strict limits on Ukraine\u2019s military,<\/strong> a ban on western troops on Ukrainian territory, and an end to western military support.<\/p>\n The Russian leader on Wednesday also denied that Moscow was planning to invade Nato territory,<\/strong> claiming instead that the alliance had begun preparing for a possible military confrontation with Russia, with a view to 2030.<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n On the use of frozen Russian assets, there is a big breaking news line emerging from the UK, with the British prime minister Keir Starmer formally issuing instructions to transfer \u00a32.5bn from Roman Abramovich\u2019s sale of Chelsea FC to humanitarian causes in Ukraine, telling the billionaire to commit the funds or face court action.<\/strong><\/p>\n Speaking in the UK House of Commons, Starmer has just said:<\/p>\n \u201cI can announce that we\u2019re issuing a licence to transfer \u00a32.5bn from the sale of Chelsea Football Club that\u2019s been frozen \u2026 since 2022.<\/em><\/p>\n My message to Abramovich is this: the clock is ticking, honour the commitments that you made, and pay up now.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n And if you don\u2019t, we\u2019re prepared to go to court, so every penny reaches those whose lives have been torn apart by Putins illegal war.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n As my colleague Jessica Elgot <\/strong>explains,<\/p>\n \u201cThe Russian billionaire sold Chelsea in 2022 under pressure from the British government after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.<\/em><\/p>\n Abramovich was granted a licence from the UK government to sell Chelsea as long as the money was spent supporting the victims of the Ukraine war. The proceeds were placed in a UK bank account controlled by Abramovich\u2019s company Fordstam.<\/em><\/p>\n Since then, the money has been frozen amid deadlock in negotiations with Abramovich over whether the money should be spent exclusively in Ukraine or whether it can go outside the country as well.<\/strong>\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n In a government statement, UK finance minister Rachel Reeves said it was \u201cunacceptable that more than \u00a32.5bn of money owed to the Ukrainian people can be allowed to remain frozen in a UK bank account.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s time for Roman Abramovich to pay up.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n UK foreign minister Yvette Cooper said <\/strong>that \u201cthis money was promised to Ukraine over three years ago,\u201d and stressed that \u201cit is time Roman Abramovich does the right thing, but if he won\u2019t we will act.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why the licence has been issued. It is time this money was used to rebuild the lives of people who\u2019ve seen devastation as a result of Putin\u2019s illegal war.<\/strong>\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.28 EST<\/p>\n Further to Meloni\u2019s comments earlier (12:37), France is now also doubling down on its longstanding opposition to the Mercosur trade deal<\/strong>, with the French government\u2019s spokesperson saying the French president would \u201cfirmly oppose\u201d the agreement.<\/p>\n France keeps demanding robust safeguard clauses, tighter import controls and more stringent standards for Mercosur producers,<\/strong> AFP noted, amid ongoing farmers strikes across the country.<\/p>\n <\/span>French farmers block the A61 motorway with tractors and straw bales to protest against government measures, including the culling of entire cattle herds, aimed at containing an outbreak of lumpy skin disease among livestock in France, and the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement, in Villefranche-de-Lauragais, in the Haute-Garonne department, France.<\/span> Photograph: Beno\u00eet Tessier\/ReutersShare<\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.16 EST<\/p>\n On Erasmus+ news, we have just got a reaction from the German Rectors\u2019 Conference, an umbrella body for German universities, with its chair, Prof Walter Rosenthal telling the Guardian that the UK\u2019s return was \u201ca strong signal in favour of closer cooperation in European higher education.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Prof Rosenthal told us in a written statement:<\/p>\n \u201cI very much welcome the fact that this agreement has been reached. Erasmus+ is a flagship European project.<\/em><\/p>\n Like no other programme, it offers unique opportunities for intercultural exchange and personal development to particularly young people in Europe.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Students and researchers can immerse themselves in a different academic culture and sharpen their own profile. These are life-changing experiences.<\/em><\/p>\n The German and British higher education and research systems will benefit immensely from the United Kingdom\u2019s re-entry into the European mobility programme.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n Updated at\u00a006.48 EST<\/p>\n Meanwhile, we are getting some important lines out from Rome, where Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni has been speaking in parliament about current EU affairs.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/span>Italy’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni speaks at the the lower house of parliament, ahead of a European Union leaders’ summit, in Rome, Italy.<\/span> Photograph: Remo Casilli\/Reuters<\/p>\n Meloni told the parliament that Berlin talks were \u201cconstructive\u201d and said Russia was making \u201cunreasonable\u201d territorial demands in US-led peace talks on ending the Ukraine war<\/strong>, as she reaffirmed Rome\u2019s support for Kyiv.<\/p>\n But she admitted that finding a legal way to use frozen Russian assets to help finance Ukraine remained \u201cfar from easy,\u201d<\/strong> and said the focus shouldn\u2019t be specifically on Belgium, but also other Russian assets more broadly, Corriere della Sera reported.<\/p>\n She suggested Rome was generally in favour on the use of frozen Russian assets,<\/strong> but needed to see strong legal basis for all proposed actions.<\/p>\n Frozen Russian assets<\/p>\n Meloni also appeared to back the French call to delay the EU-Mercosur trade deal into early next year,<\/strong> saying it would be \u201cpremature\u201d to sign it now as more guarantees were needed for the European agriculture sector.<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n Lisa O\u2019Carroll<\/span><\/p>\n Speaking of the EU-UK reset \u2026 the EU\u2019s climate commissioner has said there is no deal yet with the UK to exempt it from new import taxes linked to carbon emissions of goods manufactured outside the bloc including the UK.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cWe are in very good conversations with our UK friends,\u201d said Wopke Hoekstra<\/strong> at a press conference in Strasbourg on Wednesday on the carbon adjustment border mechanism CBAM.<\/p>\n The UK had hoped a deal could be done by 1 January<\/strong> when the new levies are due to come into force and some believed London\u2019s concession on rejoining Erasmus may have paved the way for a deal removing a Christmas cliff edge for exporters.<\/p>\n Hoekstra played down the significance of the 1 January deadline saying \u201cthe price it [the UK] will be paying is actually minimum\u201d because decarbonisation efforts in Britain were well under way as part of political efforts to get to net zero.<\/p>\n The problem between the two sides has arisen because the UK is introducing its own emissions trading system (ETS) in 2027, a year after the EU.<\/strong><\/p>\n Hoekstra said they hoped to link the two ETS systems, which would also mean exemptions for EU exporters into the UK.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is really a matter of doing things in the right order<\/strong>, step by step, chiffre par chiffre, pas \u00e0 pas. So that means, first we need to conclude \u2013 and we stand ready to do that ASAP \u2013 to make sure we link the two systems.<\/p>\n\n
Britain’s return to Erasmus 40 years on from scheme’s creation gets more enthusiastic comments than in 1987<\/h2>\n
UK’s move to rejoin Erasmus+ ‘significant step’ for EU, UK universities, groups say<\/h2>\n
Germany’s Merz says will work with EU partners to alleviate concerns on use of frozen Russian assets<\/h2>\n
Merz calls for EU move on frozen assets to put pressure on Russia as he warns against Moscow’s ambitions<\/h2>\n
EU’s use of Russian frozen funds needs ‘solid legal basis’ or we risk handing Putin ‘victory’, Meloni warns<\/h2>\n
Confiscating Russian assets to fund Ukraine would be ‘declaration of war,’ Hungary’s Orb\u00e1n warns<\/h2>\n
Putin calls European leaders ‘little pigs’ as he insists Russia will achieve its goals in Ukraine by diplomacy or force<\/h2>\n
UK will demand \u00a32.5bn of Abramovich cash to be transferred to Ukraine fund, Starmer says, telling oligarch ‘pay up now’ or face court<\/h2>\n
France will ‘firmly oppose’ EU-Mercosur deal, government spokesperson says<\/h2>\n
UK rejoining Erasmus+ ‘strong signal in favour of closer cooperation’ in higher education, German universities chief says<\/h2>\n
‘Far from easy’ to get EU agreement on frozen Russian assets, Meloni says, as she hints at Mercosur deal delay<\/h2>\n
No deal yet on exempting UK from new import taxes on carbon emissions of goods manufacturers outside EU<\/h2>\n