The United States has played a significant role in the Paris Agreement, including working with China to lay the groundwork for global climate deals. However, under President Trump, the US withdrew from the agreement and instead warned the EU that it must buy more U.S. oil and gas or face tariffs. Despite this, the European Commission is seeking to "constructively engage" with the new administration on issues including climate change. The EU is set to miss a deadline for submitting its national climate plan to the UN, but plans to have an updated plan ready by November's UN climate summit in Belem, Brazil.
https://en.tempo.co/read/1961549/eu-warns-of-serious-blow-from-u-s-trump-on-climate-changeThe European Commission attempted to downplay a hypothetical scenario at its press briefing on Wednesday, where they were questioned about their response if the US were to attack Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. The commission's spokespeople declined to provide specifics about how they would respond, despite repeated and intense questioning from the media.
https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-dodges-questions-donald-trump-invasion-greenland-military/The European Union's upcoming budget negotiations for 2028-2035 have sparked tensions among member states. Countries like Italy and France, which fall short of NATO's defense spending target, are seeking to finance their military budgets through common EU debt, a proposal opposed by fiscally conservative nations such as Germany and the Netherlands. The European Commission must balance competing demands from "hawks" who prioritize defense spending, southern nations concerned about Ukraine, and fiscal hardliners like Germany and the Netherlands. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed an omnibus law that combines multiple green rules, adding another layer of complexity to the negotiations.
https://www.politico.eu/article/finance-policy-battle-2025-saving-investment-defense-green-rule/Hungary is expected to be minimally affected by the reduction in Russian gas supplies due to its use of an alternative route via Turkey and the Balkans, whereas other European countries are bracing for a potential shortage. The European Commission has been preparing for this scenario for over a year, while Ukraine has criticized countries that continue to purchase Russian oil and gas despite the ongoing invasion. Russia's energy revenues are crucial to its government finances, which is why it has shifted its exports towards Asia in response to Western sanctions. In another dispute, Gazprom announced it would halt gas supplies to Moldova on Wednesday due to a payment issue, prompting Chisinau to declare a state of emergency over possible power shortages.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40340559/moscow-kyiv-end-russian-gas-transit-to-europe-via-ukraineHungary is expected to be minimally affected by the reduction in Russian gas supplies due to its use of an alternative route via Turkey and the Balkans, rather than Ukraine. The European Commission has been preparing for a scenario without Russian gas transiting through Ukraine for over a year. Meanwhile, Russia has redirected its lucrative gas exports towards Asia as it faces Western sanctions and pressure to cut purchases. In a separate dispute, Gazprom announced that it would halt gas supplies to Moldova on Wednesday, prompting the country to declare a state of emergency due to concerns about power supplies.
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/europe/moscow-kyiv-end-russian-gas-transit-to-europe-via-ukraineThe European Commission has been preparing for a scenario where Russian gas transit via Ukraine ceases as of January 1, 2025, and is ensuring alternative supplies are available to impacted Member States. The EU's gas infrastructure has been reinforced with new LNG import capacities since 2022, allowing it to provide non-Russian origin gas to Central and Eastern Europe through alternative routes. In response to Ukraine's suspension of Russian gas transit, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico threatened to halt electricity supply to Ukraine, which is in desperate need of the energy source. The Ukrainian Ministry of Energy is exploring options for obtaining electricity from other sources.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-economy/3944051-eu-prepared-for-cessation-of-russian-gas-transit-via-ukraine-from-january-1-european-commission.htmlUkraine halted Russian gas transit through its territory on January 1, ending a decades-long arrangement due to the ongoing war between the two countries. Ukraine's Energy Minister German Galushchenko hailed the move as a "historic event" that would weaken Russia financially and impact its military efforts. However, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico criticized the decision, saying it would harm the EU more than Russia. Poland welcomed the development as a step forward for Europe's energy independence. The European Commission downplayed the significance of the supply cutoff, citing contingency plans in place since over a year ago. Russian gas accounted for less than 10% of the EU's total imports in 2023, a decline from over 40% before Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/mixed-reactions-in-europe-as-kyiv-ends-russian-gas-transit-via-ukraine-13849149.htmlPoland's energy expert Marcin Jakubik notes that in 2024 Hungary became the largest EU electricity exporter to Ukraine, accounting for 35-45% of total supplies, with Poland supplying around 15-25%. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico threatened to take measures against Ukraine if it stops gas transit and allows electricity supplies to be suspended. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal announced that Ukraine would stop gas transit on January 1, 2025, but could resume at the request of the European Commission for non-Russian gas.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/biznes/938453-poland-to-increase-electricity-supplies-to-ukraine-if-hungary-and-romania-agreeWorld leaders have paid tribute to former US President Jimmy Carter, praising him for his commitment to peace, democracy, and humanitarian efforts. Egyptian leader Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called him a "symbol of humanitarian efforts" due to his role in brokering the 1978 Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel. Israeli President Isaac Herzog said the treaty remains an anchor of stability in the region, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted Carter's legacy as one that advanced peace, health, and democracy worldwide. Other leaders from around the globe, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, also paid tribute to Carter's dedication to peace and human rights.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40340265/us-and-foreign-leaders-praise-jimmy-carters-legacy