Ursula von der Leyen

September 20, 2024 5:31 PM

EU to provide Ukraine with loan worth up to 35 bln euros, von der Leyen says

The EU will grant a loan of up to 35 billion euros ($39 billion)to Ukraine to help the country stuck in a grinding war with Russia, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Friday. The loan, which was announced while the bloc's Commission chief was on a visit to Kyiv, is part of a wider plan among G7 nations to raise funds using proceeds from Russian assets frozen to sanction the country for invading its neighbour. "Relentless Russian attacks means Ukraine needs continued EU s...

September 20, 2024 4:40 PM

Zelenskiy says Ukraine ‘victory plan’ depends on quick decisions by allies

Ukraine's "victory plan" in the war against Russia depends on quick decisions being taken by allies this year, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday during a visit by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Zelenskiy told a joint press conference with von der Leyen that Ukraine planned to use a proposed multi-billion dollar European Union loan for air defence, energy and domestic weapons purchases. Zelenskiy singled out the importance of U.S. President Joe Biden to the victo...

September 17, 2024 5:33 PM

What is the European Commission?

European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen announced on Tuesday the new lineup of the executive arm of the European Union that runs the affairs of the 27-nation bloc on a daily basis and makes sure EU countries abide by the bloc's laws. Here is what the Commission does: It is one of the three main institutions of the EU, alongside the European Parliament with its 720 deputies from all EU countries and the European Council, which groups representatives of all EU governments. It is arguably ...

July 19, 2024 2:48 PM

PM Modi congratulates Ursula von der Leyen on her win as European Commission President

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to Ursula von der Leyen on Friday following her re-election as President of the European Commission for a second term. PM Modi expressed his eagerness to continue strengthening the strategic partnership between India and the European Commission. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Congratulations, @vonderleyen, on your re-election as the President of the European Commission. Look forward to working together to strengthen the India-Eurpoean Co...

September 16, 2024 6:11 PM

PM Modi congratulates new European Council President Antonio Costa

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended his congratulations to Antonio Costa on his election as the next President of the European Council. In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi said, "Congratulations to my friend @antoniolscosta on being elected as the next President of the European Council. I look forward to working closely with you to advance the India-EU Strategic Partnership to greater heights." Costa, the former Prime Minister of Portugal, was chosen to succeed Charles Michel a...

June 10, 2024 4:33 PM

Italy’s PM Meloni comes out on top in EU vote, strengthening her hand

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's arch-conservative Brothers of Italy group won the most votes in the European parliamentary election over the weekend, boosting her standing both at home and abroad. With almost all ballots counted, Brothers of Italy won 28.8% of the vote, more than four times what it took in the last European Union election in 2019, and exceeding the 26% it secured in the 2022 national ballot, when it rose to power. "I am proud that Italy will present itself to the G7, to Europe...

June 6, 2024 4:06 PM

Netherlands launch four-day European Union elections across 27 nations

The Netherlands initiated voting Thursday in the European Union's parliamentary elections, setting the stage for a crucial democratic exercise expected to highlight the rise of far-right parties across the 27-nation bloc. Polling stations opened across the Netherlands, marking the start of four days of voting for the 751-seat European Parliament. The Dutch are the first to cast ballots, with the rest of the EU following with votes stretched over the remaining three days through Sunday. Irish v...