December 4, 02:10 PM • 27392 viewsThe German government has announced further talks between countries supporting Ukraine before the meeting between Trump and Putin on August 15. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized the importance of a unified European position.
As Prime Minister Svyrydenko reported, the EU Council approved the provision of 3. 056 billion euros to Ukraine within the framework of the Ukraine Facility. This is a strong signal of trust in Ukraine's reform course.
The Government of Ukraine has approved amendments to the Ukraine Plan for the Ukraine Facility. The new version must be approved by the EU Council by the end of September, which will allow reporting for the third quarter of 2025 according to the new schedule.
The EU Council has approved the gradual launch of a new digital border management system (EES) over six months. The system will record the entries and exits of non-EU citizens, increasing control efficiency and reducing fraud.
The EU Council approved Ukraine's accession to the European Union roaming zone from January 1, 2026. Ukrainians will use their operator's tariffs in the 27 EU countries, and European subscribers will have the same conditions in Ukraine.
The European Parliament has finally approved the gradual deployment of the Entry/Exit System (EES) at the EU's external borders. The system will register biometric data of third-country nationals to enhance security and speed up border control.
Negotiations on the €1. 5 billion EU Defense Industry Program (EDIP) depend on funding for non-European companies. The European Parliament opposes exceptions for arms manufacturers outside the EU, aiming to build up the European defense sector.
Ukraine has clear information about painful sanctions for Russia and is preparing new sanction decisions. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of cooperation with Denmark during its presidency of the EU Council.
Denmark will become the first European state to legally enshrine citizens' copyrights to their biometric data. This step is aimed at combating deepfakes and will allow demanding the blocking of content without consent.
The Swiss People's Party proposes to revoke the protection status S for Ukrainian refugees, arguing for the stability of some territories in Ukraine. More than 69,000 Ukrainians are in Switzerland with status S, two-thirds of whom depend on assistance.
Russian tanker "Khatanga" left the port of Gdynia after eight years, where it "caused damage and threatened navigational safety. " The vessel, already considered scrap, will be sent to Denmark for disposal.
For the first time since 2011, Syria has made an international bank transfer via SWIFT, opening the door for similar operations. This marks a significant step towards the country's reintegration into the global financial system amid the lifting of EU sanctions.
The European Parliament and the Council of the EU have agreed on a reform of the visa-free suspension mechanism. Israel and Serbia are the first at risk due to accusations of human rights violations.
The European Parliament and the Council of the EU have recognized the Ukrainian seed certification system for beet, sunflower, rapeseed, and soy as equivalent to EU standards. This paves the way for the full export of seeds to the EU.
The EU Council has approved new duties on imports from Russia and Belarus to reduce dependence on their agricultural products. Fertilizers and 15% of agricultural exports will be subject to restrictions.
The restoration of the pre-war trade regime with the EU will lead to losses of Ukrainian exports of $800 million. However, these losses are not critical and can be compensated.
The European Commission has approved Bulgaria's transition to the euro from January 1, 2026, which will make it the 21st country in the Eurozone. The assessment confirms Bulgaria's compliance with the convergence criteria.
The EU Council has decided to open another 8 chapters of membership negotiations with Albania within the "Competition and Inclusive Growth" cluster. Benchmarks have been set for the provisional closure of these chapters.
The European Parliament approved an increase in duties on Russian and Belarusian fertilizers, as well as agricultural goods. This decision aims to reduce the EU's dependence on imports from these countries.
The EU has created a SAFE instrument with borrowing of up to €150 billion for investments in defense. Ukraine will receive support through increased military assistance and integration of defense industries.
The EU Council has extended sanctions for cyberattacks, which allow for the imposition of restrictions against individuals and institutions involved, until May 18, 2026, and the legal regime until 2028. Currently, sanctions are in place against 17 individuals and 4 institutions.
Marta Kos declared her support for the opening of Cluster 1 for Ukraine and Moldova in the EU. The European Commission positively assesses Ukraine's progress in reforms for accession.
Oleksiy Chernyshov stated that the change of status of Ukrainians abroad is possible only after the onset of a lasting peace. The effect of the Temporary Protection Directive has been extended until March 2026.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said that Hungary does not support the €20 billion financing for Ukraine.
The prime ministers of Ukraine and Poland discussed defense cooperation and the development of border infrastructure. Poland provided Ukraine with the 46th military aid package and will support European integration during its EU presidency.
The EU Council has officially extended economic sanctions against Russia until July 31, 2025. The restrictions cover trade, finance, energy, technology and other sectors.
The Czech Republic has prepared an informal document on the gradual integration of Ukraine and Moldova into the EU internal market. The plan covers cooperation in energy, agriculture, and telecommunications and has already been supported by 8 member states.
Zelenskyy outlines ambitious plans for European integration during the Polish and Danish presidencies of the EU Council. Ukraine aims to open 5-6 negotiating clusters on EU accession within a year.
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, and Ukraine supported the EU sanctions against Belarus. The restrictions apply to 26 citizens and 2 legal entities due to their involvement in the Russian aggression.
The EU Council added 15 new individuals to the Venezuelan sanctions list and extended the restrictions until 2026. In total, 69 people are sanctioned, with assets frozen and banned from entering the EU.
