Tony Connelly

Europe Editor

French President Emmanuel Macron along with the French Armed Forces Minister and the chief of staff attended the Paris Defence and Strategy Forum yesterday

European ministers to discuss Ukraine peacekeeping force

A meeting of European defence ministers today will focus on a peacekeeping force which could form part of the security guarantees Ukraine says will be vital if Russia is to be deterred from attacking again after a ceasefire.

Europe • 12 Mar 25

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she would support with conditions

Von der Leyen offers conditional support for Trump's plan

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said she would support US President Donald Trump's initiative for Ukraine if it delivered a lasting peace with security guarantees that included a US backstop.

Ukraine • 25 Feb 25

Patricia Reilly's role in Ursula Von der Leyen's cabinet will be coordination and oversight-based

Patricia Reilly to join Von der Leyen cabinet

Irish EU official Patricia Reilly will join Ursula von der Leyen's cabinet on 1 March as the Commission President's advisor on agriculture and health.

Politics • 25 Feb 25

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas (R) pictured speaking alongside Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar

Israel criticises EU over US resolution on Ukraine

Israel's foreign minister Gideon Saar has criticised European Union member states for not backing the US resolution at the United Nations which failed to mention Russia's aggression in invading Ukraine or condemn the invasion, RTÉ News understands.

Middle East • 24 Feb 25

Israeli tanks and bulldozers take positions yesterday evening in the Jenin camp for Palestinian refugees, in the occupied West Bank

Wording in EU statement may allow for OTB, Govt believes

Ireland has secured language in a key EU communique which the Government believes will support its handling of the Occupied Territories Bill and possibly ease the bill's potential conflict with EU law.

Politics • 24 Feb 25

Election posters, including of the Volt party and the far-right AfD hang from lampposts in Berlin

Germany votes amid geopolitical upheaval

Germany goes to the polls tomorrow amid a period of unprecedented national and geopolitical upheaval.

Analysis and Comment • 27 Feb 25

Friedrich Merz is frontrunner to be the next Chancellor of Germany

Campaigning at final stages in German snap election

Campaigning is reaching the final stages in the German snap election, with the leader of the CDU - and frontrunner to be the next Chancellor - pledging to restore Germany to a leadership role in Europe.

Europe • 21 Feb 25

RTÉ News understands that Taoiseach Micheál Martin made the offer during a video conference with other EU leaders

Ireland could provide peacekeepers to Ukraine if required

Ireland could provide peacekeepers to Ukraine if it was required under a UN-mandated ceasefire agreement, it has emerged.

Ireland • 19 Feb 25

French President Emmanuel Macron and President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen after the meeting

Ukraine 'deserves peace through strength' - von der Leyen

Ukraine "deserves peace through strength", the European Commission President has said amid a difference of opinion about the idea of deploying peacekeepers to Ukraine following an informal summit of European leaders in Paris.

Ukraine • 18 Feb 25

Donald Trump held phone calls with both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday this week

Trump, Putin and Ukraine: The great betrayal?

Europe's big fear has been that Donald Trump would return to the White House, cozy up to Vladimir Putin and throw Ukraine under a bus, writes RTÉ News Europe Editor Tony Connelly.

Analysis and Comment • 15 Feb 25