Section: European Voice (EU)
Macron and Putin’s awkward first date
PARIS — The official line on the first meeting between Emmanuel Macron and Vladimir Putin was that it was “frank” and “open” and covered Syria, Ukraine and a host of other topics — but the differences between the two leaders were plain to see. The new French president struck a firm, at times defiant tone. There was...
Macron and Putin agree on restart of Ukraine talks
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Monday agreed on the need to restart dialogue on the situation with Ukraine. “We spoke at length about the details of the situation” in Ukraine, said Macron after the talks, adding that both parties wanted “in the shortest timeframe a dialogue...
Macron and the tsar at Versailles
PARIS — You have to wonder what sort of handshake French President Emmanuel Macron has in store for Vladimir Putin. Macron is welcoming the Russian president at the palace of Versailles Monday on Putin’s first visit to France since November 2015, the last one having been abruptly called off amid tension over indiscriminate...
Kushner’s alleged Russia backchannel attempt would be serious break from protocol
Jared Kushner’s alleged discussions with Russia’s ambassador about potentially establishing backchannel communications during the transition would have been viewed as not only highly improper but possibly even illegal, according to former national security officials. President Donald Trump’s team on...
Trump’s foreign trip: 5 takeaways
President Donald Trump ended his first overseas trip on a buoyant note Saturday, telling a crowd of American sailors at a naval base in Sicily: “I think we hit a home run.†But aside from closing a $110 billion weapons deal with Saudi Arabia on the first day of his nine-day tour, it wasn’t entirely clear what...
Worried by Trump, G7 sees a bright side: he showed up
TAORMINA, Sicily — It could have been worse. A lot worse. As leaders of the G7, the elite group of established democracies, concluded their annual clubby retreat Saturday, that was the general takewaway. The glorious Sicilian sun above them wasn’t the only bright spot: while U.S. President Donald Trump’s unpredictable...
Leaders issue G7 declaration with US a holdout on climate change
TAORMINA, Sicily — Leaders of the G7, the world’s most exclusive geopolitical club, issued their 2017 declaration Saturday, with U.S. President Donald Trump refusing to join his counterparts in pledging commitment to the 195-nation Paris accord on climate change. The statement also included language on trade, which appeared...
US to be lone Paris accord holdout at G7
TAORMINA, Sicily — The U.S. will be the lone holdout on endorsing the Paris accord on climate change when leaders of the G7 will issue their 2017 declaration Saturday, officials said. President Donald Trump had said he would give European leaders a chance to make their case for the climate change accord, but will make a final...
Trump aides facing perilous stage of Russia probe
Robert Mueller’s special investigation may just be starting, but for President Donald Trump and his aides, it’s already entered one of the most legally treacherous phases. Now that Trump’s current and former aides and allies officially know a probe exists, they’re responsible for preserving...
Cohn: White House won’t roll back Russia sanctions
The White House will not move to reduce U.S. sanctions on Russia and may even pursue further action against Moscow, top White House adviser Gary Cohn told reporters on Friday, clarifying previous remarks. “We’re not lowering our sanctions on Russia,†said Cohn, Trump’s chief economic adviser and one...
