World
State of the Union: Europe's divisions over the Middle East
This edition of State of the Union focuses on the divisions within the EU over the Middle East, western hesitations to arm Ukraine, Moldova’s growing ties with the EU and the release of a commemorative coin to remember D-Day.
This week, we witnessed deep divisions between EU member states over the ongoing conflict in the Middle East – once again.
The reason was the decision by the International Criminal Court to seek arrest warrants against Israel’s prime minister and his defence chief as well as against three Hamas leaders.
Reactions ranged from welcoming the Court’s decision — in Belgium, France and Slovenia — to rebuking it in various forms — Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic.
The disunity was also on display when Ireland and Spain together with Norway moved to recognise Palestine as an independent state – something that had been discussed for quite a while.
“Quite frankly, because we must keep the hope, the dream and the destination of a two-state solution alive at a time when, sadly, others are working to undermine that,” Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris told Euronews.
“Ireland would have much preferred to have done this as part of a peace process. But we can’t wait forever. It’s an awful long time, many decades, since the Oslo Accords.”
Ukraine air defence
There is more European unity regarding Ukraine – on the surface. But when it comes to arms shipments, action hasn’t always matched words.
Western allies are taking too long to make key decisions, Ukraine complained, at a time when Russia seems to be stepping up its offensive in the north-east.
In the face of relentless Russian attacks, Germany’s foreign minister Annalena Baerbock, during a visit to Kyiv, warned that the country needed to boost its air defences – with Western help.
“Some of the rockets and missiles could be brought down by air defence, but obviously not all of them. And this is why I am calling worldwide to increase the air defence support.”
Moldova’s EU future
Watching the war very closely is Moldova, a country sandwiched between EU and NATO member Romania, and Ukraine.
The former Soviet republic has long been defying warnings from Moscow that closer Western integration could see it face Ukraine’s fate.
Nonetheless, Moldova signed a defence partnership with Brussels this week, a step designed to tie the country closer to the EU. The country is a candidate to join the bloc and formal talks are expected to begin next month.
For more on this, we spoke to Daniela Vidaicu, executive director of the Moldova Soros Foundation.
Euronews: So, how significant are the EU accession talks for the Moldovan public, how do people see EU membership?
Vidaicu: Well, the upcoming inter-governmental conference to be held in the nearest future is the most important political event for the pro-European Moldovan population. (…) Moldova is an inclusive society, it managed to achieve very good milestones in implementing national and domestic reforms so that the country and the society is transformed. And the negotiations should really move forward to be irreversible. For Moldovans, as you ask, both for those who are living in the country, but also for those that are living abroad in EU member states (and) holding already European citizenship, the European integration of Moldova is very important as a development plan and the most, probably, important strategic plan since its independence.
Euronews: We hear a lot about Russian disinformation – tell us what’s happening?
Vidaicu: Well, unfortunately, Moldova is one of the most affected European countries by Russian propaganda, which is very much coordinated by the Russian parties, the Russian media, the Russian social networks and influencers. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Moldova started to face a very complicated, complex and aggressive hybrid war that undermines its development, its social cohesion, independence and security. And the goal actually is to increase the population polarisation and scepticism towards the European integration of the country and to keep the country under the Russian control, actually. So, the fake news, the disinformation, the Russian manipulation and interference target social or economic or political Moldovan vulnerabilities to keep the country in poverty and to undermine the European development of the country.
ADVERTISEMENTEuronews: There is a constitutional referendum coming up, there will be elections in October – how are these campaigns going, and to what extent is the EU part of the debate?
Vidaicu: Yes, indeed. In October 2024, Moldova is going to host two important electoral events. Both events are considered to be very relevant and very crucial for the Moldovan future and are going to happen on the same day. We have the pro-European government and the president, who announced his intention to run for the second mandate, civil society and media who are supporting the European integration. And we have the pro-Russian parties and Russian media that are trying to convince the population not to go to the referendum, to boycott the referendum or to vote against the referendum.
June 1944 – June 2024
In a few weeks, the Allies will mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, that were the beginning of World War II and the liberation of Europe from the Nazis.
As a tribute to the fallen and to surviving veterans the British Royal Mint unveiled a commemorative coin depicting soldiers disembarking from a landing craft.
More than two million soldiers, sailors, pilots, medics and other people from a dozen countries were involved in Operation Overlord.
ADVERTISEMENTAnd nearly 160,000 troops hit the codenamed beaches of Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword on June 6th, 1944.
A few days ago, to mark the coin’s release, its design was recreated in Normandy – on Gold Beach. Quite appropriate.
At 35 meters across, the sand art served as a reminder of the bravery and sacrifices of allied troops – for a few days.
The coin, on the other hand, is permanent.
NEW YORK (AP) — Oil prices rose in early trading Sunday as a standoff between Iran and the U.S. prevented tankers from using the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf waterway that is crucial to global energy supplies.
The price of U.S. crude oil increased 6.4% to $87.90 per barrel an hour after trading resumed on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. The price of Brent crude, the international standard, climbed 5.8% to $95.64 per barrel.
The market reaction followed more than two days of lifted hopes and dashed expectations involving the strait. Crude prices plunged more than 9% Friday after Iran said it would fully reopen the strait, which it effectively controls, to commercial traffic.
Tehran reversed that decision and fired on several vessels Saturday after President Donald Trump said a U.S. Navy blockade of Iranian ports would remain in effect. On Sunday, Trump said the U.S. attacked and forcibly seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship that allegedly tried to get around the blockade. Iran’s joint military command vowed to respond.
Sunday’s higher prices wiped out much of the declines seen Friday, signaling renewed doubts about how soon ships will again transport the vast amounts oil the world gets from the Middle East.
The US-Israeli war against Iran, now in its eighth week, has created one of the worst global energy crises in decades. Countries in Asia and Europe that import much of their oil from the Gulf have felt the most impact of halted supplies and production cuts, although rapidly rising gasoline, diesel and jet fuel prices are affecting businesses and consumers worldwide.
Asked when he thought U.S. motorists would again see gas cost less than $3 a gallon on average, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said prices at the pump might not go down that much until next year.
“But prices have likely peaked, and they’ll start going down,” Wright told CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday.
The price of crude oil — the main ingredient in gasoline — has fluctated dramatically since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, and as Iran retaliated with airstrikes on other Gulf states. Crude traded at roughly $70 a barrel before the conflict, spiked to more than $119 at times, and previously closed Friday at $82.59 for U.S. oil and $90.38 for Brent.
Industry analysts have repeatedly warned that the longer the strait is closed, the worse prices could get.
A fragile, two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is set to expire Wednesday, while escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz puts the fate of new talks to end the war into question.
Even if a lasting deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz emerges, analysts say it could take months for oil shipments to return to normal levels and for fuel prices to go down. Backed-up tanker traffic, shipowners concerned about another sudden escalation, and energy infrastructure damaged during the war are factors that could impede production and shipment volumes from returning to pre-war levels.
A gallon of regular gas cost an average of nearly $4.05 a gallon in the U.S. on Sunday, according to motor club federation AAA. That’s about 8 cents lower than a week ago, but far higher than $2.98 before the war.
Trump warns Iran it ‘can’t blackmail’ US with Hormuz closure
Fox News reports on heightened tensions in the Middle East as Iran’s Revolutionary Guard reaffirms strict control over the Strait of Hormuz and fires on passing ships. President Donald Trump, speaking from the Oval Office, states the US naval blockade will remain in full force. White House correspondent Alex Hogan provides updates on the escalating diplomatic and military standoff.
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Hundreds of commercial tankers are stranded on both sides of the Strait of Hormuz after Iran shut the critical chokepoint on April 18, halting traffic and leaving crews trapped amid reports of gunfire and “traumatic experiences” on board.
The Strait of Hormuz is considered an international waterway under international law, through which ships have the right of transit passage, according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, making it a critical chokepoint for global energy markets, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said Iranian gunboats opened fire on a tanker the same day, while a projectile struck a container vessel, damaging cargo.
STARMER AND MACRON ACCUSED OF ‘PLAYING AT BEING RELEVANT’ WITH STRAIT OF HORMUZ PLAN
U.S. Central Command said Tuesday that “U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers are among the assets executing a blockade mission impacting Iranian ports.” (CENTCOM)
Audio released by maritime monitoring group TankerTrackers appears to capture the moment a vessel and its crew came under fire while approaching the strait, including a distress call from a crew member.
“Sepah Navy! Motor tanker Sanmar Herald! You gave me clearance to go… you are firing now. Let me turn back!” the crew member can be heard saying in the recording, according to TankerTrackers.
Iranian state media confirmed that shots were fired near vessels to force them to turn back, while the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India said the foreign secretary was deeply concerned.
Hapag-Lloyd, the world’s fifth-largest container shipping line, told Fox News Digital that it had activated a crisis team as its crews remain stuck on board vessels in the region.
“We have been working from Friday afternoon until today with the entire crisis team to bring the vessels out — in vain, unfortunately,” said Nils Haupt, senior director of group communications at Hapag-Lloyd AG.
“These events can easily lead to traumatic experiences. There is also a significant risk from sea mines, which has made insuring vessels for passage through the Strait nearly impossible.”
LISA DAFTARI: HORMUZ WHIPLASH PROVES TEHRAN CAN’T HONOR ANY DEAL IT SIGNS
“The crews are well, but they are becoming increasingly impatient and frustrated. It is very unfortunate that we could not leave today,” he added. “Many ships are still stuck in the Persian Gulf.”
“Our six ships are anchored near the port of Dubai, and all crews hope for an improvement in the situation,” Haupt said.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on April 18 that the strait would remain closed until the U.S. lifts its blockade on Iranian ports, warning ships not to move from anchorage or risk being treated as “enemy” collaborators.
Iran has previously argued that restrictions on its oil exports and shipping amount to “economic warfare,” framing actions in the Strait of Hormuz as a response to foreign pressure on its economy, according to statements from Iranian officials and state media in past incidents.
“Approaching the Strait of Hormuz will be considered cooperation with the enemy, and any violating vessel will be targeted,” the IRGC said in a statement carried by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency.
TRUMP ORDERS A BLOCKADE IN THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ AS TENSIONS WITH IRAN SOAR
Fishing boats dot the sea as cargo ships, in the background, sail through the Arabian Gulf toward the Strait of Hormuz off the United Arab Emirates, Friday, March 27, 2026. (AP Photo)
The United States imposed the blockade on Iranian ports to pressure Tehran to reopen the strait, with U.S. Central Command saying the measures are being enforced “impartially against all vessels.”
Hapag-Lloyd said its vessels have been stuck for weeks following the initial closure after the outbreak of war with Iran on Feb. 28.
“For us, it is critical that our vessels can pass through the strait soon,” Haupt said.
“We offer all crew members unlimited data so they can video call loved ones and access entertainment. Crews are strong, but after weeks on board there is growing monotony and frustration.”
“One crew experienced a fire on board from bomb fragments. Others have seen missiles or drones near their vessels,” he added.
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“They are resilient, but each additional day makes the situation more difficult, more monotonous, and more stressful.”
President Donald Trump said Iran had agreed not to close the strait again but after the closure, Trump called the situation “blackmail” and said the U.S. would not back down.
Shops and schools shut in northern Israel as residents protested a 10-day ceasefire with Lebanon that took effect on April 16, saying “nothing was achieved”. Israeli officials say operations may continue, with forces still deployed inside southern Lebanon.
Published On 19 Apr 2026
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