Jose Manuel Barroso is leaving after 10 years at the head of an oft-derided European Commission, but insists he has done his best, writes Europe Correspondent Ann Cahill

Get a taste of some of the interesting and quirky happenings in Europe from our Europe correspondent, Ann Cahill.

British prime minister David Cameron’s troubled relationship with the EU plumbed new depths yesterday as he said Britain would not be paying more than €2.1bn in ‘top-up’ EU budget payments.

European leaders have agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the 28-nation bloc to at least 40% below 1990 levels by 2030.

Austerity in the EU

Welcome to your Wednesday morning briefing. Let us ensure you’re up to speed on what’s happening and are prepared for the day ahead.

Russian military forces have been spotted in both major rebel-held cities in eastern Ukraine, an official said, prompting Ukraine to declare it now has to fight the Russian army, not just the separatists.

A Russian official has complained that EU Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso breached confidentiality when he quoted President Vladimir Putin as saying that Moscow could take over Kiev in two weeks if it wished.

European Union leaders have stopped short of imposing immediate new sanctions against Moscow, despite tough rhetoric condemning Russia’s increasing military involvement in Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin has been warned that he is “practically in a state of war with Europe” as EU leaders mull tougher sanctions over the Ukraine crisis.

Ukrainian forces said that one of their fighter jets has been shot down by a Russian missile in combat against Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Several European Union (EU) foreign ministers today accused Russia of invading eastern Ukraine and said Moscow should be punished with more sanctions.

European Union (EU) foreign ministers were today set to consider adopting a tougher stance on the Ukraine crisis amid increasing calls to beef up economic sanctions against Russia.

The European Union has urging an end to the “bloodshed” in Gaza and calling for negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian leaders toward a political solution as the only way to “bring lasting peace”.

The next generation of medical vaccines, hydrogen-powered vehicles, quieter aircraft and cheaper railways are among the research projects the EU plans to fund.

Get a taste of some of the interesting and quirky happenings in Europe from our Europe correspondent, Ann Cahill.

For the first time ever, EU leaders have held a vote when nominating the next president of the European Commission, forced by Britain’s David Cameron to break a long tradition of consensus, supported by Hungary’s premier Viktor Orban.

THERE are some things you can say for sure about Enda Kenny. He is a survivor, as tough as nails and not nearly as happy-go-lucky as he wants you to think. Part-actor, part-chameleon, part-huckster and dealer, and if we are lucky part-prodigy as well.

It is almost an article of faith that a long, ultra-patient game is the best way to convince the EU and the ECB to reduce or, God forbid, cancel the €64bn private debt imposed on taxpayers to cover failed banking investments and to steady what was a staggering euro.

The leaders of the main European parties have agreed to put forward Jean-Claude Juncker as the next President of the European Commission.

Ireland’s hope that a trade agreement with the US will open up a lucrative public procurement market in exchange for some concessions on beef may be difficult to achieve, a US expert has warned.

Europe correspondent, Ann Cahill, delivers here weekly briefing on Euro affairs from the European Parliament.

The EU is likely to push ahead more urgently on agreeing a comprehensive and sometimes controversial trade agreement with the US after President Barack Obama said it would open the door to imports of cheap American gas.

EU leaders united in agreeing to include a dozen more Russian politicians and senior advisers in the Kremlin on their blacklist, but discussions on the next steps were proving more difficult last night at their two-day summit.

Smartly dressed parliamentarians jumped up with their camera phones and pushed to the main stage at Dublin’s convention centre during the gathering of politicians for the European People’s Party congress.

The tense political and military stand-off in Ukraine dominated a meeting of Europe’s centre-right parties in Dublin.

Ireland has turned the corner on the economic crisis and is playing a key role in EU-wide recovery, European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso declared last night.

The President of the European Commission has received an honorary doctorate from UCC.

The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, will be speaking in UCC later today.

The image of the European Commission as pushing austerity and creating difficulties for Ireland is wrong, the Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso will say today when he is awarded a honorary degree by University College Cork.

I agree with Phil Prendergast, MEP, regarding the conferring of an honorary doctorate on Jose Manuel Barroso by UCC.

MEPs move to shut down Strasbourg seat

One of the world’s most powerful men will deliver a keynote address to the people of Ireland when he visits Cork next week.

Switzerland’s defence minister said it was “unthinkable” that his country’s accords with the EU would be terminated as result of a referendum to curb immigration, saying threats of retaliation by the bloc were overblown.

Defiant Ukrainian protesters have seized control of the capital Kiev’s central post office, a day after clashes that left at least 25 people dead.

The European Union has threatened sanctions against Ukraine following deadly violence between riot police and protesters in Kiev in which at least 25 people died and 241 were injured.

The European Union is calling an extraordinary meeting of foreign ministers to decide the 28-nation bloc’s reaction including possible sanctions to the recent escalation of violence in Ukraine.

As the vote on Scottish independence moves closer — it’s set for September — the dizzying manifestos proposed in the wine bars off Edinburgh’s beautiful Princes Street, or along the glens and river banks of stately Perthshire, can expect ever more rigorous scrutiny.

Shock new Swiss laws that target immigration are a cause for concern, writes Kyran Fitzgerald.

European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso warned yesterday that it would be “difficult, if not impossible” for an independent Scotland to join the European Union.

The president of the EU commission has suggested there may be scope for Britain to adjust its relationship with the union, but Jose Manuel Barroso flatly rejected the prospect of a cap on migration from member states.