Russia has sharply criticized the planned European Union mission to Kosovo, saying the deployment without prior approval by the United Nations' Security Council violates international law.

European Union foreign ministers are gathered in Brussels Monday for a crucial meeting in which at least four major European powers Britain, Italy, France and Germany are expected to recognize Kosovo's newly declared independence. Lisa Bryant has more from Paris.

Sweden will recognise Kosovan independence after a meeting of the advisory council on foreign affairs on the 4th March with representatives of all of Sweden’s major political parties and the King.

European Union Commission President, José Manuel Barroso was in Sweden Thursday for a meeting with the government and the Swedish King.

Foreign Minister Carl Bildt wants the European Union to become a global player when it comes to peace and security policy.

Finland's Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva said Monday most European Union member countries are prepared to recognize Kosovo's independence from Serbia. VOA's Barry Wood reports Kanerva is in Washington meeting with U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

The European Union has resumed deployment of a peacekeeping force to Chad - an operation that it suspended earlier this month when rebels attacked the capital, N'Djamena.

France has received fierce criticism during a meeting of finance ministers from the fifteen countries which use the euro as their currency. The ministers urged France to do more to work away its budget deficit.

Serbia's relations with the EU are teetering on the brink of collapse after Belgrade spurned an EU offer to cement ties.

The European Union has postponed Thursday's signing of an aid-and-trade pact with Serbia, because of political infighting in Belgrade over the country's breakaway Kosovo province.

The European Commission has announced that the planned signing of a cooperation agreement with Serbia has been cancelled because of a dispute in Serbia's government coalition.

Chadian rebels and military sources report fierce fighting today less than 100 kilometers from the capital, N'djamena. Meanwhile, the European Union has delayed the deployment of peacekeeping troops to Chad.