Council of the European Union

In Brussels, investigators raided the home and office of an assistant to a member of the European Parliament suspected of playing a significant role in spreading Russian propaganda before the European Parliament elections.

The European Union has introduced new rules for imposing sanctions on those involved in human rights violations in Russia, including restrictions on the export of equipment used for repression and monitoring, and added 19 people to the sanctions list in connection with the death of Alexei Navalny in a Russian prison.

In 2023, Ukraine exported 45,800 tons of honey to the EU, becoming the second largest exporter of honey from outside the EU after China.

About 3 billion euros of seized Russian assets should become available to Ukraine by July, according to the Belgian Foreign Minister.

The EU Council has banned four more Russian media outlets - Voice of Europe, RIA Novosti, Izvestia, and Rossiyskaya Gazeta - from broadcasting in the EU for spreading Russian propaganda and supporting Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine.

The Council of the European Union has adopted a series of rules reforming the entire asylum system on the continent, with Poland and Hungary voting against the entire package.

The EU Council approves Ukraine's Recovery, Reform and Accession Plan, which allows for the disbursement of up to €50 billion in grants and loans from the Fund to Ukraine, subject to the implementation of agreed reforms and investments by 2027.

The EU Council plans to approve a migration pact containing significant reforms to asylum policies, requiring EU countries to accept thousands of asylum seekers from frontline states or provide resources, and allowing agreements with transit and origin countries to limit the number of incoming migrants.

The EU has approved Ukraine's plan, authorizing the launch of the €50 billion Ukraine Facility program, of which Ukraine has received €1. 89 billion in pre-financing and expects €16 billion in total this year, to strengthen its financial stability amid the war with Russia.

The European Union has approved the extension of the suspension of import duties and quotas on Ukrainian exports for another year, but has imposed restrictions on imports of certain goods such as eggs, poultry, sugar, oats, corn, cereals and honey from Ukraine to protect the interests of local producers.

The European Council has approved a revision of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy in response to concerns raised by protesting farmers. The document simplifies and reduces the administrative burden on farmers.

EU ambassadors approve €30 million in non-lethal military aid to Georgia from the European Peace Fund.

Since the beginning of 2024, Euroclear, the European depository, has received €1. 6 billion in interest income from more than €200 billion of frozen Russian assets.

The EU Council has approved the first-ever law on combating violence against women and domestic violence, which provides for harsh penalties for perpetrators and comprehensive support for victims across the EU.

Brussels is considering allowing neutral EU countries to opt out of using frozen Russian assets to purchase weapons for Ukraine, while G7 members such as Germany, France and Italy remain cautious due to legal and financial risks.

Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister calls on EU partners to adopt a negotiation framework for Ukraine's accession to the EU in June, citing reforms in the areas of rule of law, anti-corruption, and a competitive market economy.

The Council of the European Union has approved a mandate for negotiations with Ukraine on the extension of the Agreement on the Liberalization of Freight Transport, which will allow Ukraine to continue freight transportation without permits until at least June 2025.

The EU Council has adopted new labeling rules for honey, fruit juices, jams and milk powder to increase transparency of product origin, help consumers make informed choices and reduce food fraud.

EU agriculture ministers plan to increase the maximum amount of minimum state aid to €50,000 per farm for three years to support the agricultural sector amid ongoing market turmoil.

Ukraine could introduce mandatory blending of liquid biofuels with gasoline to promote the use of renewable energy sources in transportation.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for sanctions against Russian media and those responsible for spreading disinformation and propaganda in the EU as part of efforts to counter Russian interference in the upcoming EU elections.

EU Diplomacy Chief Josep Borrell expects the EU Council to finalize the discussion on the use of funds from seized Russian assets for military support to Ukraine through the European Peace Fund, as the bloc believes it is legally justified.

Ukraine's Defense Minister Andriy Umerov said that air defense systems are crucial to protecting Ukrainian skies from massive Russian attacks, including the unprecedented use of 1. 5-ton guided bombs. Air defense will also allow Ukrainian troops to repel Russian aggression and force them to retreat.

EU ministers discussed but failed to approve a €500 million tranche of military aid to Ukraine due to the ongoing blockade, despite changing circumstances.

The European Council strongly condemned Russia's air and missile attacks on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, emphasized the urgent need to ensure Ukraine's air defense, and called for the accelerated and intensified provision of all necessary military assistance, including artillery ammunition and missiles.

EU Chief Diplomat Josep Borrell said that the EU is working to improve Ukraine's air defense capabilities.

The European Commission has approved the Ukraine Plan for 2024-2027, paving the way for regular and predictable EU support to help Ukraine meet its urgent budgetary needs, carry out recovery and reconstruction, and ensure macro-financial stability.

The European Commission plans to disburse €1. 5 billion to Ukraine in April and is expected to disburse another €1.9 billion in May, subject to certain conditions, as part of a €50 billion program for Ukraine.

The European Union has approved criminal penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for helping to circumvent EU sanctions, such as travel bans, trade in sanctioned goods, or prohibited financial activities.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Kroo said that Belgium supports the training of Ukrainian pilots for F-16s and hopes that the first delivery will take place in May, but Belgium still needs the F-16s themselves until they are replaced by F-35s.