Europe

An informal summit in Paris among European leaders concluded without any concrete announcement, as the idea of deploying peacekeeping troops to Ukraine remains highly divisive.

The next leader of Europe’s biggest economy will face a public deeply dissatisfied with living standards, housing and less tolerant towards migrants than in previous years.

According to a new report, the number of pushbacks in Europe has risen “sharply” in recent years to the point of becoming a “systematic” practice.

Ukraine and Europe worry about being sidelined as Trump remains persistent to go ahead with direct talks with Russia to discuss an end to the war in Ukraine.

The annual three-day gathering in the Bavarian city saw a whole host of leaders offer, at times, competing visions of the world.

France is discussing holding an informal emergency Ukraine summit in Paris with European countries on Monday.

EU Council President António Costa has insisted Europe is “not giving up. We will continue to support Ukraine as an integral part of our project for peace.”

EU leaders are trying to come up with solutions to boost joint financing in defence with the Commission estimating the bloc needs to invest €500 billion over the coming decade.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said his country won’t accept people who “intervene in our democracy”, a day after US Vice President JD Vance criticised European leaders.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he will only agree to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin after a common plan is reached with US President Donald Trump.