Meanwhile... Michel Barnier met Stephen Barclay yesterday and once again rejected the British gov request to ringfence citizens' rights part of the Brexit agreement.
The EU remains absolutely firm that it will not reopen the withdrawal agreement.
The British government hopes to convince the EU to change its mind, by stressing no-deal impact, esp on Ireland.
@joncstone While Johnson and Hunt are arguing about whether optimism v entrepreneurship will win the day, the EU refers back to the legal text that the British gov has already agreed to.
The extension deal from April *rules out* further negotiations.
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NEW - Four people have been arrested by Belgian police as part of an investigation into a Gulf country's attempts to influence decisions of the European parliament. Sixteen places searched this morning and €600,000 seized - statement from federal prosecutor.
For months, police have suspected a Gulf country of trying to influence European parliament decisions "by paying large sums of money or offering large gifts" to people with political or strategic positions in parliament - prosecutor's statement.
"The operation was aimed in particular at European parliamentary assistants working in the European parliament." A former MEP has been questioned. Four people have been arrested for questioning and cd be brought before a judge.
This contest has not gripped Brussels like the 2018/19 parliamentary turmoil over Brexit - “We don’t care anymore” in the words of one senior diplomat.
But those who follow UK relations closely are not encouraged.
EU officials think Liz Truss’ approach to the Northern Ireland protocol was driven by her ambition to move into Number 10.
Nobody knows whether the geopolitical pragmatist will prevail over the ideologue if she becomes PM, but EU diplomats are taking her at her word so far.
Scene inside the European parliament in Brussels, ahead of video speech by Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Standing ovation for Ukraine's ambassador to the EU.
Interpreter was close to breaking down as he spoke Volodymyr Zelenskiy's words to the European parliament about attack on Kharkiv's Freedom Square. "This is the largest square in Europe. Can you imagine two cruise missiles hit this Freedom Square, dozens killed".
Volodymyr Zelenskiy to the European parliament:
"We have proven that we are exactly the same as you are… do prove that you are with us, do prove that you will not let us go, do prove that you are Europeans."
EU sanctions on the table: 27 people, entities involved in DPR and LPR recognition, not Vladimir Putin. Plus 351 members of Russian Duma that voted in favour and Russian military commanders leading mission.
Mirroring EU Crimea sanctions on regions.
Supported by 26 countries...
Hungary does not (yet) support sanctions; HU diplomats say need to discuss with capital. EU diplomat: "It was to be expected but Orban has now shown his true colours... this begs the question where Orban's true loyalty is, to Moscow or his European allies."
Scholz's decision on Nord Stream 2 came just as we were hearing that Germany (with Austria and Italy) was stressing the importance of incremental approach to Russia. If Nord Stream 2 won't go ahead, does that open the door to other sectoral sanctions coming swiftly?
The UK vaccine rollout is the big reason why Brexit Was Worth it, according to Boris Johnson in @DailyMailUK ."We were the first country in the world to license a vaccine.. And that was at least partly because of Brexit."
Often repeated, but not true - thread
The UK was subject to EU rules 100% during the first phase of the vaccine rollout.
Three important facts about those rules.
1. EU joint procurement schemes are voluntary. Member states can choose to participate. The UK chose not to.
2. New medicines can be licensed by UK authorities before they are approved by the European Medicines Agency. 3. The UK was 100% in control of the NHS, which runs the vaccine programme.