A meeting of the European Union Council on Monday focused on the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine conflict but exposed significant internal divisions, particularly over a proposed U.S.-Russia summit in Budapest and new sanctions against Moscow.
The discussions yielded no new agreement on critical agenda items, including a further round of sanctions against Russia and the mechanics of using frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine.
The prospect of a leaders' meeting in the Hungarian capital city of Budapest drew sharp criticism from several member states, who criticized the idea of inviting the Russian leader to Europe as inconceivable in the current circumstances. In a social media post the same day, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban countered that hosting US-Russia talks was in Hungary's national interest. He notably added that Hungary would not invite "pro-war" EU leaders to participate in any such meeting.
EU fails to reach consensus on new Russia sanctions
EU fails to reach consensus on new Russia sanctions
Thailand has temporarily closed more than 1,000 schools in border areas following a new round of armed clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops along their shared border.
The Thai Ministry of Education ordered the suspension of classes on Friday in seven provinces bordering Cambodia, affecting a total of 1,060 schools, to ensure the safety of students and teachers.
Buriram Province is among the areas most affected by the renewed fighting, with more than 100 schools shut down. At local shelters, displaced residents, including children and teenagers, have sought refuge as fighting continues.
One girl said she had stayed in the shelter for 11-12 days already. "I moved here because of the clashes between Thailand and Cambodia," she said, adding that she could hear very loud gunfire at her home.
She said school won't be open until the clashes end, and she misses her classmates very much.
A teenage boy in the shelter expressed the same emotions.
"It's been 13 days since I moved here. I heard gunfires at home and I was so scared that I moved to the shelter. I want to return to school to study and see my friends," he said.
A displaced woman recalled her time in a shelter when border clashes between the two countries broke out earlier this year.
"I stayed in the shelter for a week when the last clashes broke out. This time I don't know how long I need to stay here before I can return home," she said.
Border clashes between the two sides reignited on Dec 7, less than two months after the two sides signed a joint peace declaration, with both sides trading the blame for instigating the attacks.
Thailand closes over 1,000 schools near border amid armed clashes with Cambodia
