politics
European Leaders Hold Summit in Armenia
European leaders are convening in Yerevan, Armenia, for the European Political Community summit starting Monday, with discussions focusing on support for Ukraine and Middle East tensions. The UK announced intentions to join an EU loan scheme for Ukraine, while Canada becomes the first non-European attendee. A Spanish government plane made an emergency landing en route to the event.
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A plane carrying the Spanish Prime Minister made an emergency landing in Turkey on Sunday evening due to a technical issue, according to the Spanish government. The aircraft was en route to Armenia for the European Political Community (EPC) summit when the incident occurred, leading to an unscheduled stop in Ankara.
The delegation plans to continue to Yerevan on Monday. The government statement did not specify the nature of the technical problem. Media reports confirmed the emergency landing, and the summit in Armenia is set to bring together leaders from across Europe and beyond.
The EPC summit in Yerevan begins Monday, hosting over 48 nations to discuss shared challenges, including the war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East. The gathering was initiated by French leadership in 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
This meeting follows the previous one in Copenhagen last October. Canada is attending as the first non-European nation, with its prime minister aiming to build new trade and diplomatic alliances amid strained U.S. relations. Canadian officials have dismissed suggestions of pursuing EU membership.
The presence also signals Western support for Armenia's efforts to distance itself from Russia. Armenia's hosting of the summit highlights its push toward closer European ties, including a comprehensive partnership agreement signed in 2017. The country froze its membership in a Russian-led security alliance in 2024 and adopted a law last year expressing intent to apply for EU membership.
The UK intends to enter negotiations to join a €90 billion EU loan scheme for Ukraine, aimed at providing military and financial assistance over the next two years. Two-thirds of the funding will support Ukraine's defense needs, with the remainder for broader aid.
The UK prime minister stated that this move would strengthen Ukraine's defenses and create opportunities for British industry. The UK leader met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Yerevan on Sunday, reiterating support for Ukraine. Zelensky expressed gratitude for the UK's role in the European response to the war and highlighted appreciation for strong words of support from British royalty during a recent U.S. visit.
