European Union
Germany, France reject EU visa ban on Russians
"We should think about smart ways to make use of the important lever of the issuing of visas," reads the paper sent to other EU member states ahead of a Foreign Ministers' meeting taking place in Prague on Tuesday and Wednesday.
EU ready to suspend visa agreement with Russia: Report
EU foreign ministers are set to give the suspension political backing at a two-day informal meeting in Prague on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Financial Times said, citing three officials involved in the talks. The move widens the partial suspension imposed in February for Russian government officials and business leaders to now include civilian Russian applicants for EU visas, the Financial Times was quoted as saying by dpa news agency. Suspensions make the EU visa process more complicated, more expensive and more bureaucratic, as well as also increase the waiting time for approval, according to European Commission guidelines.
EU's Borrell rejects blanket ban on Russians entering bloc
"We have to be selective, we cannot take a general measure," he said, adding that he was sure there would be a balanced approach from EU foreign ministers due to meet in the coming week. The idea of restricting Russian tourists to the EU has emerged recently after countries witnessed Russians arriving for summer holidays via neighboring EU countries.
'US response to EU's proposals on nuke deal revival likely lead to new talks'
Officials cannot say when the deal will be reached, Maleki said, adding the US side must show more seriousness than before in the nuclear talks, Xinhua news agency reported, citing Iran Front Page news website. Maleki urged Washington to "act wisely at this critical juncture and show it is determined to resolve differences".
Cyprus to oppose proposal to ban visas for Russians: Media
The Ministry's Permanent Secretary Kornelios Korneliou told the state-run Cyprus News Agency on Saturday that the proposal is expected to be put forward by Baltic countries during the informal meeting of the EU foreign ministers (Gymnich) in Prague on August 30 and 31.
Kosovo-Serbia crisis talks in Brussels end without breakthrough
Tensions have escalated between Serbia and Kosovo, with ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo blocking roads and erecting barricades on July 31 to protest Kosovo's decision to oblige them to use vehicle license plates issued in Pristina.
Finland pushes for EU entry ban on Russian tourists
"Russian citizens did not start the war, but at the same time we have to realise that they support the war," Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said on Monday, echoing a call made days ago by Estonia. "I don't think it's right that Russian citizens can enter the EU and the Schengen area as tourists and go sightseeing while Russia is killing people in Ukraine."
After airspace closure, 10 Russian planes remain in Germany
"Since the planes are subject to a take-off and flight ban due to the EU sanctions regime, they cannot be used by their owner and cannot be moved to another location," the Transport Ministry was cited as saying in the report by the RND media group. Three Russian Antonov AN-124 planes are grounded in Leipzig, a Bombadier jet plane and a Boeing 737 are in Cologne, and a Boeing 747 is at Frankfurt-Hahn airport, dpa news agency reported quoting the report.
EU ban on Russian coal imports in force after transition ends
The embargo was part of the fifth sanctions package agreed by the EU in April and will be in full force from Thursday onwards, reports dpa news agency. EU countries had agreed on a transitional period of 120 days to give the industry time to adapt to the import ban. The aim is to weaken the Russian economy amid its invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine accuses EU countries, including Germany, of blocking funds
Kiev had received 1 billion euro of the 9 billion euro in financial aid pledged by the EU in May, Zhovka said. Guarantees from member states may be needed for the remaining funds, according to the European Commission, as securing them through the EU budget is not possible on account of a lack of resources. Several international ratings agencies downgraded Ukraine's credit rating in July. And the largest state-owned company, Naftogaz, failed to service outstanding foreign debts a week ago, in accordance with to a government directive.
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