EU pushes ahead with plan to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine as Moscow denies rejecting US peace plan - Europe live

Moscow is demanding that Kyiv accept its annexation of occupied territories as a condition for peace, following unproductive talks between Russian and U.S. envoys. The areas in question include strategic locations such as Sevastopol and Donetsk, highlighting the ongoing territorial disputes central to the conflict.

A Russian court has sentenced US citizen Robert Gilman to an additional two years in prison, following his initial incarceration in 2022 for a drunken assault on a police officer. This development was reported by state media on Wednesday.

Francis Fukuyama, a prominent political scientist and author of 'The End of History and The Last Man', expressed his disappointment regarding the election of Donald Trump as U.S. President, labeling it as the most surprising and disappointing event in decades. Fukuyama criticized Trump for exhibiting authoritarian tendencies and for attempting to negotiate a controversial deal with Russia concerning Ukraine.

The European Commission has announced a proposal to fund Ukraine through a loan backed by frozen Russian assets, a move that has sparked significant debate within the EU. This initiative aims to address Ukraine's budget shortfall amid ongoing conflict, with an alternative option for an EU loan based on common borrowing introduced to appease concerns from Belgium, which holds a substantial portion of these assets.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, characterizing the talks as 'constructive' while acknowledging that significant work remains to achieve peace. During the meeting, Putin accused Kyiv’s European allies of undermining U.S.-led efforts to resolve the war.

Oil prices have risen as market traders express concerns over the low likelihood of a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine in the near future. This sentiment reflects ongoing geopolitical tensions and uncertainty surrounding the conflict, which continues to impact global oil supply dynamics.

Pope Leo has emphasized the critical role of European nations, particularly Italy, in mediating peace talks aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, amidst stalled negotiations between Russia and the US. The pontiff's remarks come as tensions escalate, with Russian President Vladimir Putin accusing Europe of obstructing peace efforts.

Former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has been formally accused of fraud and corruption, along with two other individuals, following an investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) into funding for training programs for junior diplomats. The accusations were communicated to the rector of the College of Europe, where Mogherini serves as rector, after she and the others were questioned by Belgian police.