Closing summary
… and on that note, it’s a wrap!
The EU was growing nervous of a complete change of mind by the US president, Donald Trump, as it awaits his decision on proposed tariffs for the bloc (9:46, 9:58, 13:02, 14:45).
The EU also said it would assess the proposed UK-France deal on irregular migration, amid concerns from some member states (12:58, 16:16)
Separately, EU diplomats have drawn up a list of options to sanction Israel, after finding “indications” that the Middle Eastern country had breached its human rights obligations over its conduct in Gaza and the West Bank (10:35).
Russia said it would close Poland’s consulate in Kaliningrad, a Moscow exclave near Poland and Lithuania, after Warsaw decided to shut the Russian consulate in Cracow (15:31).
Today marks the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre (10:54, 11:13, 11:28, 11:53, 11:57).
And that’s all from me, Jakub Krupa, for today.
If you have any tips, comments or suggestions, email me at [email protected].
I am also on Bluesky at @jakubkrupa.bsky.social and on X at @jakubkrupa.
EU countries ask for scrutiny of UK-France migration deal
A group of EU countries – believed to include Italy, Spain, Greece and Cyprus – have criticised the UK-France deal on tackling irregular migration even after more details were confirmed in London yesterday.
They sent a joint letter to Brussels earlier this month objecting to what they see as a bilateral deal at a time when the EU is trying to implement a hard-won piece of legislation taking a bloc-wide approach to asylum and migration.
One diplomat from one of the signatory nations said they understood that France had “to give something to the UK to satisfy public opinion” at a time when the entire EU wants to keep the British government tied into to future defence and security in the face of
continued Russian aggression.
But the diplomat said there was surprise with the content of the deal which will start with the return of 50 people a week, one in 17 of the average weekly arrivals by small boats this year so far.
“It is difficult to see why the French overstepped the EU treaties without delivering something more spectacular,” the diplomat said.
They added: “We do want to help the British government to be engaged with Europe and that is a priority, but I find it very difficult to see this agreement go smoothly because the French overstepped the mark.”
Other nations say the deal with the UK is just “smoke and mirrors” as France can just return migrants to the country of arrival under the current Dublin rules.
More than 21,000 migrants have made the Channel crossing in rudimentary vessels this year alone.
Earlier today, the EU has said it will assess Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron’s migrant return deal to see whether it is compatible “with the spirit and the letter of the law”.
