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EU-Russia embargo division
The European Union remains divided over an embargo on Russian energy imports as the bloc looks to impose a sixth package of sanctions against Moscow. EU foreign affairs chief, Joseph Borrell, says there is not sufficient support from all member states for full sanctions against Russian oil or gas. He said all EU countries are working to cut their dependency on Russian energy imports, so the ban will happen at some point. Some EU members, including Germany, oppose an immediate embargo on Russia’s energy. Berlin says a sudden cut-off will send all of Europe into a recession. The bloc is set to hold a summit at the end of this month to further discuss the issue. Earlier, a top E-U diplomat said the union is preparing smart sanctions against Moscow to maximize pressure on Russia while minimizing damage to the bloc.
US aid for Ukraine
US Secretaries of State and Defense say Washington is increasing its military support for Ukraine. Antony Blinken and Lloyd Austin made the comments near the Ukrainian border in Poland. They visited Kiev on Sunday night and met with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. During the meeting, the two officials pledged more than 700-million dollars in additional direct and indirect military aid to Ukraine. They also cited US President, Joe Biden, as saying that American diplomats would return to Ukraine as soon as this week. It was the highest-level visit by US officials to Ukraine since the start of the Russian military operation on February 24.
Macron’s challenges
Protests erupted in the French capital after incumbent Emmanuel Macron won the Sunday runoff presidential vote. Voters, who backed Macron’s far-right contender Marine Le Pen, gathered in central Paris after she was beaten with a comfortable margin of 16%. Clashes broke out after police fired teargas at the protesters. Police also shot two people dead and injured another. They were shot after their vehicle failed to stop. Meanwhile, Le Pen has admitted defeat but has promised to continue the fight. European leaders were quick to congratulate Macron. European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, said the 27-nation bloc can count on France for five more years. And German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, said Macron’s re-election is a vote of confidence in Europe. Emmanuel Macron vows to unite France and address the anger of voters after being re-elected as French president.
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