Emergency EU summit seeks to bolster defence to counter US pivot from alliance

EU leaders gather at 'historical, unprecedented juncture' for the bloc

European Union leaders from 27 countries gathered in Brussels on Thursday at a " historical, unprecedented juncture" for the bloc, said FRANCE 24's Europe Editor Armen Georgian. The leaders are set to rapidly bolster Europe's defence capability amid fears that the US, under Trump's administration,...

Germany calls for easing of EU fiscal rules ahead of European emergency summit

According to reporting from Bloomberg, Germany's envoy to Brussels urged the EU on Wednesday to ease its fiscal rules in order to allow for more defence expenditure to counter Russia. This would mark an important policy shift for a country known for financial restraint, and follows plans to change...

'Exceptional reaction to an exceptional situation': French papers react to Macron's speech

PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, March 6: First, a look through the French and German papers as they react to Macron's address to the nation. Next, the Trump administration makes waves by cutting off intelligence support for Zelensky's forces, and an article from Politico on secret meetings with opposit...

Live: Zelensky tells EU leaders he is 'thankful' Ukrainians 'are not alone'

President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Europeans for their continued support on Thursday as he joined leaders for summit talks in Brussels, saying it meant Ukraine was not "alone" in its fight to repel Russia's invasion. He spoke after Russia slammed French President Emmanuel Macron's address the eve...

Macron will discuss extending French nuclear protection to Europe with allies

French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday he will open talks with European allies about using France’s nuclear arsenal to help protect the continent, warning that Europe can no longer rely solely on the United States for its security as Russia escalates its military threats....

VP Vance touts Trump's immigration crackdown on US-Mexico border visit

Vice President JD Vance said Wednesday that Mexico should be thankful for US President Donald Trump's war on drug cartels because it will stop the country from becoming a "narco state", adding that military intervention may be needed to tackle the cartels. Vance made the comments during a visit to...

Watch the full address: Macron calls for major European rearmament

In a primetime speech on Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron called for a major European rearmament and said he will confer with European allies on the idea of using France's nuclear deterrent to protect the continent in the face of threats from Russia. ...

Macron says to discuss with European partners extending French nuclear deterrence

French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday that he wanted to open a debate on extending France's nuclear deterrent to other European nations, as security risks rise in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Macron also said that European military forces could be sent to Ukraine if a peace...

US pauses intelligence sharing with Ukraine

The United States has "paused" intelligence sharing with Ukraine after a dramatic breakdown in relations between Kyiv and the White House, CIA director John Ratcliffe said Wednesday. President Donald Trump and Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky had a public falling-out in the Oval Office last week...

🔴Live: Europe can’t ‘live off dividends of peace’, Macron says in speech calling for major rearmament

Full speech: Macron calls for major European rearmament

In a primetime speech on Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron called for a major European rearmament and said he will confer with European allies on the idea of using France's nuclear deterrent to protect the continent in the face of threats from Russia. Watch the full speech....

Trump administration pauses flow of intelligence to Ukraine

The U.S. has paused its intelligence sharing with Ukraine, cutting off the flow of vital information that has helped the war-torn nation target Russian invaders, but Trump administration officials said Wednesday that positive talks between Washington and Kyiv mean it may only be a short suspension....

What will Emmanuel Macron to try to do in his speech tonight?

French President Emmanuel Macron said he would address the nation Wednesday over the current global uncertainty in the wake of the radical change in US policy on Ukraine under Donald Trump. FRANCE 24's International affairs editor, Angela Diffley has more....

French President Emmanuel Macron to deliver speech on global 'uncertainty'

The French president due to deliver a prime time tonight. Emmanuel Macron's speech is expected to focus on the war in Ukraine and the threat of a transatlantic trade war. FRANCE 24's French politic editor, Marc Perelman has more....

Talks between Trump, Putin and Zelensky will start 'soon', top Ukrainian adviser Podolyak says

In an interview with FRANCE 24, senior Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said he expects peace talks to begin "soon" between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. "We are going to have a constructive discussion be...

Trump's abrupt pivot towards Putin: US now promoting 'Kremlin talking points' in Oval Office

The European Commission proposed borrowing up to 150 billion euros ($157.76 billion) to lend to European Union governments under a rearmament plan driven by Russia's war in Ukraine and fears Europe can no longer be sure of U.S. protection. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective on Trump's p...

Ukraine, US plan new talks after Trump pauses military and intelligence support

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday said US and Ukrainian teams were working on an upcoming bilateral meeting as Kyiv scrambles to contain the fallout of last week's dust-up between the two presidents in the White House, after which the US suspended military and intelligence support...

Civil war in Sudan: Rapid Support Forces signs 'transitional constitution'

The RSF has taken a step closer to acting on plans announced in Kenya in late February to set up a parallel government.. On Tuesday the paramilitary and allied group set out a transitional constitution. On the ground though, the RSF has recently found itself on the back foot in its battle with the...

Sudanese try to escape the violence of the war finding refuge in Chad

Over 14 million people have been driven from their homes across Sudan. Many have tried to find refuge in neighbouring Chad. FRANCE 24's teams reports from the border town of Adre...

UN warns about using children raped as weapons in Sudan civil war

The use of rape as a weapon of war has been flagged amidst a major conflict. Investigators for the UN’s children’s agency says that hundreds of little girls and little boys, some not even a year old, over a dozen not yet 5, have been horrifically sexually abused by armed men in Sudan’s civil...

China outlines economic goals for 2025, including boost in public spending

At the opening of the National People's Congress in Beijing, Chinese Premier Li Qiang presented the country's parliament with his government's work report for 2025. Li stressed the importance of revitalising domestic consumption as a driver for economic growth, especially in a context of increased...

Volodymyr Zelensky pledges 'to make things right' with the US

Days after a televised row in the Oval Office with President Trump, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky has reiterated his commitment to peace and to bring an end to the war with Russia. In a post on X he had thanked the US for all they had done for his country and that they were ready to sign a de...

US President Donald Trump pushes tariffs, social reforms and Ukraine deal

Trump's address to a joint session of Congress came after he pushed forth with tariff hikes on the three countries over illegal immigration and drug trafficking. For more, FRANCE 24's correspondent in Washington, Fraser Jackson....

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban says he will meet Emmanuel Macron

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said he would meet French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday, one day before an EU summit aimed at cementing joint action on support for Ukraine where Orban has threatened to take an opposing position....

Ukraine says ready to work under Donald Trump's 'strong leadership'

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky has told him Kyiv was ready for talks with Russia and the finalization of a US minerals deal, days after the pair's explosive White House meeting. For more, FRANCE 24's international affairs editor, Philip Turle and cor...

Trump defends tariffs, government cuts in firey address to Congress

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday gave his first speech to Congress since his return to power, which he used to give a fiery defence of his administration's tariff's, government staff cuts and culture war wins. His remarks were met with a raucous atmosphere in Congress where he was cheered by Re...

Ukraine 'must find the strength to move forward' with US, Zelensky says

Ukraine "must find the strength to move forward" in the face of crumbling relations with the US, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video message on Tuesday. Earlier the US paused its military support for Ukraine after Zelensky clashed with US President Donald Trump at the White House...

Macron to address nation late on Wednesday over global 'uncertainty'

French President Emmanuel Macron will give a televised address on Wednesday evening, he announced in a social media post. The president's address comes as Europe is scrambling to bolster its backing for Ukraine after the US on Tuesday pulled all military support....

'Rich in showmanship and at odds with reality': Papers dissect Trump's speech to Congress

PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, March 5: The American papers react as US President Donald Trump addresses Congress for the first time since his return to power. Also, US Vice President JD Vance comes under fire for his comments on peacekeeping troops in Ukraine. Plus, Syria's new regime is under pressu...

China aims to ramp up economic growth amid changes 'unseen in a century'

China will ramp up fiscal stimulus to guard its economy against changes "unseen in a century" Premier Li Qiang said on Wednesday in a speech at the opening of the annual meeting of China's parliament. Bejing aims to maintain a 5% growth target for 2025 amid a burgeoning trade war with the US....