European Union

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declared on Tuesday that the large-scale military operation against eastern Ukraine marked the beginning of a "new phase" in the war. The Russian forces are stepping up their attacks, the situation in the embattled port city of Mariupol is dramatic. Commentators debate anxiously over whether this new stage could involve nuclear weapons.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has apologised in the House of Commons for his mistakes during lockdown. People "have a right to expect better of their prime minister", he said on Tuesday. The MPs will vote on Thursday on whether to set up an investigation committee. Europe's press comments.

Tesla founder Elon Musk wants to buy Twitter and has made an offer of 43 billion dollars. Prior to this he made himself the online platform's biggest shareholder by purchasing 9.2 percent of its stock. The billionaire has repeatedly criticised Twitter for restricting freedom of expression. Commentators are concerned for the platform's future.

On 11 April, ALDE Party co-Presidents Senator Timmy Dooley and Ilhan Kyuchyuk MEP travelled to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, as a sign of support and solidarity with the people of Ukraine against Putin’s brutal war of aggression.

The growing shortage of skilled labour may soon threaten productivity in Germany, and Europe's biggest economy is now scrambling to make the most of well-trained Ukrainian refugees as Russia's war on Ukraine enters its third month